Cambridge trainer Roger James and owner Kevin Hickman were dealt a devastating blow yesterday when the decision was made Silent Achiever wouldn’t be fit to run in next Tuesday’s Gr. 1 $A6 million Emirates Melbourne Cup.
James had astutely placed Silent Achiever to get her to the Caulfield and Melbourne Cups and, after finishing eighth, two and a half lengths from the winner, Fawkner, in the Caulfield Cup, she proved she was ready for the 3200-metre Flemington feature.
James’ confidence was boosted further after Silent Achiever worked strongly at Flemington last Tuesday, but an injury suffered in the Caulfield Cup has ended her Melbourne Cup bid.
Silent Achiever was to be vetted by stewards on this morning following concerns over the wound sustained but James made the decision yesterday to withdrawn her from the Cup after she failed to respond to treatment to a secondary infection to her leg injuries.
James had to resort to more serious treatment on the problem and that ruled her out of competing on Tuesday.
Silent Achiever has responded well to the latest treatment and provided she is 100 per cent she could run on the last day of the carnival.
- Cambridge JC
