Forgotten Voice might just be the unluckiest horse of the 2013 international contingent but hopefully his fortunes will take an about-turn on Saturday when he lines up in the Group 3 Queen Elizabeth Stakes (2600m) at Flemington. Forgotten Voice missed gaining a start in the Group 1 BMW Caulfield Cup three weeks ago as the first emergency when the nod was given by the Melbourne Racing Club committee to the Gai Waterhouse-trained Julienas to be included in the final field.
The following Wednesday, and after some impressive work in the lead up, Forgotten Voice started as a $3.50 favourite in the Group 2 Geelong Cup only to be greeted at the course by a rain affected track after torrential rain hit Melbourne in the 24-hours preceding the meeting.
Forgotten Voice ran fourth in that race which jockey Brett Prebble reported that the slow surface played a significant role in that result.
At 30th in the order of entry for the Melbourne Cup, Forgotten Voice also missed a start in that field of 24.
As a result of accepting for the Cup and being balloted out, the connections of Forgotten Voice are eligible for a $100,000 bonus should he win.
Continuing with his consistent track work at the TAB International Horse Centre at Werribee, track rider Ryan O’Reilly is very satisfied with his progress since the Geelong run for the gelding who has drawn barrier 12 on Saturday.
“He feels like he has come on well since that run”, the young assistant to champion trainer Nicky Henderson said.
“He has eaten very well and he’s healthy – that’s the main thing – so you couldn’t ask for more.”
One thing the Geelong outing did prove that wet tracks are not ideal surfaces to bring out this nine-year-old’s best.
“The forecast says that there are a few showers coming after tomorrow but one positive thing about Flemington is that it probably has the best drainage system in the country it is unlikely to get like Geelong did”, he added.
The $300,000 Queen Elizabeth Stakes has a rich history since it was initiated in 1954.
Cox Plate winner’s Dhaulagiri (1961) and Gunsynd (1972/73) and Melbourne Cup winners including Hyperno (1979/80), Might And Power (1998) and Makybe Diva (2002) all appear on the honour roll.
Forgotten Voice will be looking to become the second internationally-trained horse to win the race after Godolphin’s Hatha Anna saluted in 2001.
Click here to view Forgotten Voice’s international profile and here for the full fields for the final day of the Melbourne Cup Carnival (racingvictoria.net.au)