Racing: Capecover will be fit for Bendigo Cup

MELBOURNE - Wanganui trainer Alexander Fieldes has assured Racing Victoria stewards that Melbourne Cup prospect Capecover is 100 per cent fit for the Bendigo Cup in rural Victoria today.

However, acting chairman of stewards for the meeting Peter Ryan said the gelding would have to undergo a veterinary examination on arrival at Bendigo after comments attributed to Fieldes in Melbourne newspaper the Herald Sun on Monday.

Fields said he was forgetting Capecover's seventh to Alcopop in the Herbert Power Stakes (2400m) at Caulfield when beaten 9 lengths.

"He didn't show his normal ping. He was shod close to the race and his feet were a bit tender.

"We poulticed his feet every night and walked him for an hour every day. He's hitting out a lot better," Fieldes told the Herald Sun.

Fieldes was also reminded of a trainer's obligations, under Australian Rule of Racing AR140, to inform stewards of matters that may adversely affect a horse's performance.

Capecover, who won the 2008 Group Three Queen Elizabeth Stakes (2500m) at Flemington after being balloted from the Melbourne Cup, is currently 26th in the elimination order for next Tuesday's Cup.

The Cape Cross 7-year-old drew the outside barrier, 19, in the Listed Bendigo Cup (2200m) which has a full field of 16, plus three emergencies.

Kerrin McEvoy takes the ride at Bendigo but will ride the Godolphin-owned Crime Scene at Flemington next Tuesday.

Craig Newitt will ride South Auckland galloper Gallions Reach, currently 24th in Melbourne Cup elimination order, at Bendigo today, where he drew barrier six.

However, trainer Richard Yuill said Gallions Reach would need to finish in the first three placings today to go on to the Cup.

The winner of the Group One Zabeel Classic (2000m) at Ellerslie on Boxing Day last year, the Victory Dance 7-year-old has been out of form and last start finished only 13th to Leica Ding in the Geelong Cup (2400m), beaten nearly 12 lengths.

Trainer Bart Cummings didn't pay up for Joe Blow on Monday as a third acceptor in the Melbourne Cup but he is having a crack at the Bendigo Cup after dropping out to finish 14th to Baughurst in the Coongy Hcp (2000m) at Caulfield last start when beaten more than 20 lengths.

Mark Pegus will ride the Sadler's Wells 5-year-old who drew gate two.

Second emergency Pento Diablo, prepared by Doug Harrison at Cranbourne, is the $5 favourite with TAB Sportsbet and will be ridden by Craig Williams if he gains a start.

Big Col is at $5.50 with Capecover ($7), Marchelle Belle ($7.50), Ulysses ($8), Crossthestart and Joe Blow at $9 and Zupacool next best at $10. Gallions Reach, who shares the topweight of 59kg with Capecover, is at $41.

- AAP