Racing: Travel sickness puts Cup attack in danger

New Zealand pacing superstar Just An Excuse is in danger of missing Saturday's Victoria Cup after being struck down with travel sickness.

The dual New Zealand Cup winner will have to please trainer Robert Mitchell in a searching beach workout south of Melbourne this morning if he is to take his place in the A$300,000 event at Moonee Valley.

"If he shows any signs of the problem in the workout he definitely won't be starting," said Mitchell.

The champion's problems started on Tuesday, a day after arriving at the stables of Victorian trainer Ross Payne, where Just An Excuse has stayed before.

"He was good as gold on Tuesday morning but I came back 30 minutes later and he looked terrible," said Mitchell.

"His hair was all standing up and he had his head down between his legs. He went from fine to shocking in no time."

Mitchell sought the opinions of Payne and fellow Kiwi trainers Mark Purdon and Phil Williamson, who have Young Rufus and Allegro Agitato stabled on the same property.

The quartet all agreed the giant pacer was not well and a vet was called.

But before he even got to the stables, Just An Excuse started to perk up.

"We took him out of the paddock and into the stables and he improved almost immediately.

"But we still had the vet take a look at him and he said it looks like he was suffering from the early signs of travel sickness.

"Since then he has got better and better and he is almost back to his peak."

Mitchell jogged Just An Excuse yesterday morning but says today's workout over 2400m will be crucial.

"I want him to work around 3:12 for 2400m and do it easily otherwise he won't be starting.

"He is too good to risk and after what happened last time I took him to Moonee Valley I won't be taking a risk."

He was referring to the worst performance of Just An Excuse's career, when he started hot favourite in the Hunter Cup in February only to finish near last.

After that race Mitchell blamed himself for starting the horse after he believed he had fed him too many electrolytes.

"I don't want to take him back for a repeat of that. He will only be going there if he is good enough to run in the first three."

That task will be hard enough, with Just An Excuse starting from the second line while favourite Sokyola is drawn to reach the lead from barrier six.

"That won't help our cause and I am sure Lance [Justice, Sokyola's trainer] will still be doing cartwheels," said Mitchell.

"But before this setback I was sure my horse was at least as good as when he won the New Zealand Cup last month so he can still win it."

Just An Excuse was still the second favourite with Australian bookmakers yesterday, his price ranging from $2.75 to $2.90, with Sokyola as short as $2.35 with the Victorian TAB.

Young Rufus, who was a stunning second to Sokyola after being three wide for the entire race at Moonee Valley last Friday, is paying as much as $11, with Centrebet giving the best odds on the 2002 Victoria Cup winner.

Big excuse

Just An Excuse has been hit by travel sickness in Victoria.

That has put his start in the A$300,000 Victoria Cup on Saturday night in jeopardy.

He will have a workout this morning to determine whether he starts in the race.

Just An Excuse is the second favourite behind local hero Sokyola.