Glyn Schofield drives Avilius to a tight Bart Cummings win over Jaameh (Image: Racing Photos)
Avilius has been ruled out of the Stella Artois Caulfield Cup, with trainer James Cummings preferring to use the Ladbrokes Cox Plate as his final lead-up for the Lexus Melbourne Cup.
Avilius secured a start in the Melbourne Cup thanks to his victory in The Bart Cummings at Flemington last Saturday and was subsequently penalised 1.5kg, taking his weight to 54.5kg.
And with the potential to risk further penalty if he was to win the Caulfield Cup, the Godolphin team have decided to drop back in distance and tackle the weight-for-age option.
"He now has his first victory over a staying distance and under a lot of pressure he was able to prove he could still perform and show that turn of foot despite a genuine and tough pace throughout," Cummings said.
"We can now give the horse three weeks to the Cox Plate and if we're lucky enough to gain a start in that race, then he'll be perfect for the Melbourne Cup.
"We feel that the best progression for Avilius is to head to the Cox Plate and we won't be accepting in the Caulfield Cup."
Avilius is currently equal favourite for the Melbourne Cup alongside Magic Circle at $11 with Sportsbet.com.au.