Scottish by-passes Cup for Emirates Stakes

Godolphin's Scottish is to miss the G1 Melbourne Cup at Flemington on November 1 and will run instead in the G1 Emirates Stakes on November 5, the feature of the final day of the Carnival.

Trainer Charlie Appleby confirmed the switch in an announcement today from his Moulton Paddocks base at Newmarket (UK).

Scottish turned in an outstanding performance to hold on for second to Jameka in the G1 Caulfield Cup following a particularly hard run in the middle stages and was among the leading fancies for the Melbourne Cup, over 3,200m.

Appleby said: "Scottish has continued to do well since the Caulfield Cup and we are happy to have him dropping back in distance, from 2,400m to 2,000m for the Emirates."

Scottish won the G3 Strensall Stakes, over nine furlongs (1,800m), at York in August. He has been very consistent at a mile and a quarter (2,000m) in Britain this year.

The Emirates Stakes was formerly the G1 Mackinnon Stakes, and until this year, run on the first day of the Carnival. Its switch to the Final Day has been applauded by the industry.