Australian challenger Doriemus is definitely out of next month's Queen Elizabeth II Cup having bled in running behind Octagonal in the A$1.25 million Australian Cup (2,000 metres) at Flemington yesterday. Doriemus, the Lee Freedman-trained Caulfield and Melbourne Cups winner, was heavily backed but finished at the rear after bleeding. He is now automatically banned for three months. The Gai Waterhouse-trained Juggler, who is set for the Dubai World Cup and unlikely to come for the QEII Cup, ran a highly creditable third to Octagonal, who was taking his career record to 13 wins - nine in Group One races - six seconds and a third from his 26 outings for prize money of A$5,137,231. 'He is a champion, there's absolutely no doubt about,' said Octagonal's emotional trainer John Hawkes.
'There haven't ever been many horses who have had a greater will to win than he has. He's a super horse.' Displaying all his fighting spirit, Octagonal came down the outside of the field from last into the straight. He appeared unlikely to score until the last few strides, when he lunged under Shane Dye's desperate riding to snatch victory away from Gold City.
