Saint George faces race-day check as Green Spaces and Juja Kibo cleared for Caulfield Cup

Ciaron Maher’s Saint George must pass a further veterinary examination at Caulfield on Saturday morning, after re-plating, before he can take his place in the Caulfield Cup.

Green Spaces and second emergency Juja Kibo, both of which travelled down from Sydney, passed their Friday morning inspections. Racing Victoria veterinarians had already cleared 20 of the 22 final acceptors, but Saint George still required a further race-day examination.

Saint George has drawn barrier two with 53.5kg. He finished tenth in the Turnbull Stakes on October 3, beaten almost 12 lengths.

In Wednesday’s supplementary stewards’ report, Maher “advised that in his view Saint George raced flat” at Flemington, according to the stewards’ account. It added that “a subsequent veterinary examination of Saint George had revealed no abnormalities and the stable was satisfied with how Saint George had recovered and worked leading into Saturday’s race.”

The Bjorn Baker-trained Green Spaces, Godolphin’s Australian Derby winner, will start from barrier 18 with 54.5kg.

Juja Kibo, also trained by Maher, won the Metropolitan and carries 52kg after his penalty. He needs two scratchings from the 18 guaranteed runners to start if first emergency The Euphrates remains available, and drew barrier 14.