Jamie Kah’s Point King ruled out of Melbourne Cup 2024; Docklands passes vet inspection, Ciaron Maher unearths another Melbourne Cup runner in Okita Soushi

Kah has only two rides at Moonee Valley on Saturday, but one of her mounts is three-year-old star Broadsiding, who she will ride at 49.5 kilograms in the Cox Plate.

Point King was fourth favourite for the Cup, and claimed a berth in the famous race on the first Tuesday in November after winning the Lexus Archer Stakes.

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Prominent owners Lloyd and Nick Williams decided to withdraw Point King because they were not happy with the horse’s action. Lloyd Williams is a seven-time winner of the Cup, having triumphed in 1981, 1985, 2007, 2012, 2016, 2017 and most recently in 2020.

Meanwhile, the all-conquering Ciaron Maher unearthed another potential Melbourne Cup runner on Friday night when Okita Soushi won the 2500-metre Moonee Valley Gold Cup by half a length from the Lloyd Williams-owned Serpentine.

The Irish import sits 39th in the order of entry for the Melbourne Cup, but could be elevated up the list if he receives a penalty from RV handicapper David Hegan.

“He’s just a classic stayer that wants 12 furlongs [2400m]. Once you get him to that level, and at a level of fitness, he excels,” Maher’s assistant trainer Jack Turnbull said.

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“It [the Melbourne Cup] has always been the long-term plan when he came to us off the back of his last campaign in spring. It’s really good and pleasing when things work out in terms of timing.”

Maher is looking to have at least four starters on the first Tuesday in November, including Okita Sushi, Sydney Cup winner Circle Of Fire, Geelong Cup runner-up Interpetation and import Saint George, which is currently 31st in the order of entry.