Newcastle trainer Paul Perry has decided to scratch Newport from tomorrow's SAAB Quality at Flemington and chance getting a run in Tuesday's Emirates Melbourne Cup.
The talented grey, a winner of the group 1 Metropolitan Handicap two starts back before finishing fifth in last weekend's Moonee Valley Cup, will be saved for next week's Cup and chance getting a run on attrition.
Newport is 27th in order of entry for the race but with Efficient and Zagreb confirmed as missing from the race and All The Good and Yellowstone under fitness clouds his prospects of getting a run have improved sharply over the last 24 hours.
Perry has decided to chance getting a run rather than run three tough races in 10 days.
Other significant scratchings on the program are Zagreb from the Group 1 Mackinnon Stakes, so his Melbourne Cup hopes seem dashed as he struggles with a foot abscess.
In the Group 1 Myer Classic pre-post favourite Absolut Glam is scratched, along with Serious Speed and Rose Of Cimmaron , while the short-priced favourite from the Inglis Maribrynong Stakes, Noesis , is among scratchings, along with Movie .
Another significant scratching on the program is Sydney sprinter Aichi from the Group 2 Salinger Stakes.