Yoshitada Munakata, Japanese trainer of Melbourne Cup favourite Fame Game, remains stunned at stewards questioning the riding tactics when the world class stayer was a beaten favourite in the Caulfield Cup.
But he has vowed to abide by the stewards' ruling that Fame Game must be ridden the same wayat the back of the field in Tuesday's A$6 million Emirates Melbourne Cup.
What he hasn't said is whether that suits the horse and his plans for him, or because of the stewards' directive. You suspect the former.
Stewards put Munakata and Hong Kong-based Australian rider Zac Purton under the pump when they at length questioned the pair about the Caulfield Cup ride when Fame Game was last into the home straight and powered home to finish just behind the placegetters.
"We were very surprised because that's how he races in Japan and we couldn't understand why we were questioned," said Fame Game's assistant trainer Masato Tamaya.
"He's better going between horses. You just have to watch his races in Japan and that's how he races. He's not a sweeper that comes around the field.
"This will be the decision of the trainer and the owners, but I expect a similar style of racing. He will be trying to go through the field again, between horses in the closing stages."
That is how Fame Game raced in Japan's leading 3200m race, the Tenno Shu, before heading to Australia - coming from the back of the field, weaving through the field in the long home straight and without luck being beaten by around a neck. He should have won .
Fame Game is the $4 favourite for the Melbourne Cup from the Caulfield Cup quinella of Mongolian Khan and Trip To Paris who share the second line of betting at $8.
"Fame Game has done very well since the Caulfield Cup and he feels better than he did before that race. He's improved. His action is good He can get a bit stiff after a race, but he wasn't like that after the Caulfield Cup. His action is nice, lovely."
Victoria Derby favourite Tarzino will start from barrier 10 on Saturday, a gate his trainer Mick Price describes as perfect.
West Australian visitor Kia Ora Koutou has the inside gate while Extra Choice from the Lindsay Park stable of David Hayes and Tom Dabernig stable is in the widest gate in the 17-horse field.
Price said he would expect Tarzino to take up a forward position from the draw.
The A$1.5 million Victoria Derby is one of four Group One races headlining the opening meeting of the Melbourne Cup carnival.Additional reporting AAP
