Gem Song will be the only chance for trainer Kris Lees and Australian Bloodstock to claim a third successive Newcastle Newmarket after their other nomination on Monday, Mugatoo, received a wildcard into the $5 million All Star Mile at Moonee Valley.
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Mugatoo was the leading entry for Friday's group 3, 1400-metre Newmarket when nominations closed on Monday and he received topweight of 62 kilograms.
However, last year's Newcastle Cup winner was granted a wildcard on Monday evening to run in the All Star Mile on March 13, ending chances of him competing in Lees' $160,000 home feature.
Hugh Bowman has been booked to ride Mugatoo in the All Star Mile and he piloted him in an impressive 1000m trial at Gosford on Monday, where the six-year-old gelding made up ground late to finish second to stablemate Wandabaa.
Mugatoo finished 11th in All Star Mile public voting, which determines the first 10 runners in the race. It meant connections were relying on one of five wildcards. Shock Australian Guineas winner Lunar Fox, Shout The Bar, Mugatoo, Star Of The Seas and Streets Of Avalon got the invites.
"Mugatoo is the X-factor," Racing Victoria's executive general manager Greg Carpenter said in making the announcement.
"He was outstanding in the Cox Plate and has been set to peak for this race.
"He was unlucky to finish 11th in the public vote, so we're pleased to give his connections another chance at glory."
Mugatoo was an impressive fourth in the Cox Plate last year after a wide run throughout and connections are eyeing a return to the weight-for-age championship in the spring.
Lees and Hunter syndicators Australian Bloodstock, who won the Newmarket last year with Special Reward and in 2019 with Princess Posh, still have Gem Song for the race.
Nash Rawiller will ride the gelding, which was an encouraging fourth in the group 3 Southern Cross Stakes at Randwick on February 13 in his return from a suspensory injury and 62 weeks out of racing.
With Mugatoo out, Godolphin's Cascadian (59kg) will become topweight if he is among acceptances on Wednesday. Trainer James Cummings also has Asiago in nominations.
Other entries were: Purple Sector, Thy Kingdom Come (John Thompson), Outrageous (Team Hawkes), Brave Song (Peter and Paul Snowden) Just Thinkin, Yao Dash (Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott), Bottega (Gerald Ryan and Sterling Alexiou), Prague (Annabel Neasham), Cliff's Art (Matthew Smith), Academy (Mark Newnham), Maui Girl (Jason Coyle), Trophies Galore (Andrew Robinson) and Texas Storm (Bob Milligan).