Harry Coffey in doubt for Melbourne Cup ride on Shockletz after Group 1 fall, while Point Of Law draws nine

Harry Coffey’s Melbourne Cup hopes were thrown into doubt at Flemington on Saturday when a fall in the Group 1 Empire Rose Stakes left him with a shoulder injury, putting his booking on the Ciaron Maher-trained mare Shockletz for Tuesday’s $10.2 million race in jeopardy.

Coffey came down from Pondarlowie early in the straight in the Empire Rose. He is still listed to ride the $11 shot, but must be in major doubt.

He rode Shockletz to a 2¼-length win over Think Giant in the Group 3 Archer Stakes in September. She is a daughter of Shocking, the 2009 Melbourne Cup winner.

The mare is one of seven Maher runners in the 24-horse field. Joseph O’Brien has five with Sons And Lovers top weight on 57.5kg with Dylan Browne McMonagle. Trustyourinstinct, also trained by O’Brien, carries 57kg with James McDonald.

Kizlyar is the 24th runner after his stablemate Defiantly was scratched on Saturday morning.

Market leader Point Of Law drew barrier nine for Ethan Brown, while second favourite Trustyourinstinct will start from 18 under James McDonald. Hopewell Rock, next in the betting, drew 15 for Zac Lloyd, with Shockletz in 17 as Coffey’s availability remains uncertain.

The draw also placed Juja Kibo in barrier 14 and Middle Earth on the inside in gate one, while James J Braddock, another runner prominent in betting, drew the outside barrier of 24 for Craig Williams.

Sportsbet had Point Of Law as the $6.50 favourite ahead of Trustyourinstinct at $8, Hopewell Rock at $10 and Shockletz at $11.

The final field (number, horse, trainer, weight, jockey, barrier):

1. Sons And Lovers (GB), Joseph O’Brien, 57.5kg, Dylan Browne McMonagle, barrier 3
2. Trustyourinstinct (IRE), Joseph O’Brien, 57kg, James McDonald, barrier 18
3. Knight’s Choice, John Symons & Sheila Laxon, 56.5kg, Robbie Dolan, barrier 2
4. Middle Earth (GB), Ciaron Maher, 56.5kg, Mark Zahra, barrier 1
5. Vauban (FR), Gai Waterhouse & Adrian Bott, 56.5kg, Jordan Childs, barrier 22
6. Enfjaar (IRE), Roger Varian, 56kg, Ray Dawson, barrier 8
7. Royal Supremacy (IRE), Ciaron Maher, 56kg, Ben Allen, barrier 21
8. Wine Dark Sea (GB), Harry Charlton, 56kg, Damian Lane, barrier 23
9. Asterix (NZ), Chris Waller, 55kg, Jye McNeil, barrier 6
10. Goodie Two Shoes (IRE), Joseph O’Brien, 55kg, Wayne Lordan, barrier 19
11. Juja Kibo (IRE), Ciaron Maher, 55kg, Sam Clipperton, barrier 14
12. Hopewell Rock (IRE), George Boughey, 54.5kg, Zac Lloyd, barrier 15
13. Onesmoothoperator (USA), Tim Fitzsimmons, 54.5kg, Declan Bates, barrier 13
14. Soul Of Spain (IRE), Chris Waller, 54.5kg, Tommy Berry, barrier 5
15. Zahrann (IRE), Ciaron Maher, 54.5kg, Ben Melham, barrier 11
16. So You Are, Bjorn Baker, 54kg, Rachel King, barrier 7
17. Future History (GB), Gregory Hickman, 53.5kg, Jamie Melham, barrier 12
18. James J Braddock (IRE), Joseph O’Brien, 53.5kg, Craig Williams, barrier 24
19. Kizlyar (IRE), Joseph O’Brien, 53.5kg, Beau Mertens, barrier 20
20. Point Of Law (GB), Ciaron Maher, 53kg, Ethan Brown, barrier 9
21. Strictly Business, Thomas Carberry, 53kg, Dean Yendall, barrier 4
22. Mr Monaco (GB), Ciaron Maher, 52.5kg, Jabez Johnstone (a), barrier 16
23. Zakouma, Grahame Begg, 52kg, William Pike, barrier 10
24. Shockletz (NZ), Ciaron Maher, 51kg, Harry Coffey (in doubt), barrier 17