Stride Ruled Out Of Cup Imperial Stride has been ruled out of Tuesday's Emirates Melbourne Cup after finishing only eighth in the Group One Mackinnon Stakes at Flemington.Godolphin's five-year-old, winner of his last five races in Britain, raced towards the rear of the 15-runner field but could find no extra in the straight.It emerged after the race that he struck in to himself behind and will now head off to Dubai instead of contesting ?the race that stops a nation'.Gai Waterhouse's Desert War made all under jockey Chris Munce for an impressive victory.It was a disappointing result for Imperial Stride's partner, Australian Kerrin McKevoy.'Imperial Stride never really got into the race,' McKevoy told www.godolphin.com'He broke well enough but did not have the tactical speed early on to be up with the pace.'He was four or five from the back and then made some progress before losing his action on the home turn.'It was a disappointing performance but I am sure he is a better horse than he showed today.'In Imperial Stride's absence the European challenge for the Cup now rests with Yeats, Geordieland and possibly Land ?N Stars and Luca Cumani's Glistening.Cumani's other hope, Soulacroix, could finish only sixth in the SAAB Quality meaning he has been eliminated from the final field.(C) PA Sport
