Both headline horses who were considering to race on this years Albury Cup day will bypass the meeting and race Saturday at Rosehill on Coolmore Stakes day.

Neville Layt had contemplated running Karuta Queen in Friday’s Flat Knacker over 900m due to the race boasting a $100,000 bonus if the winner won in under 50seconds although due to her current handicap rating of 115 the 3YO daughter of Not A Single Doubt was given 63kg thus she will race on Saturday in the Maurice McCarten Stakes.

Karuta Queen has been disappointing in her two starts this preparation in which she ran 4th in the Group 3 Rubiton Stakes at Caulfield when jumping as favourite and a 9th in the Group 2 Light Fingers Stakes at Warwick Farm. Layt has decided to drop her in grade to Listed level in an effort to regain her winning form although she will race against open class horses which will likely include Group 2 winner Parables.

Hall Of Fame trainer Bart Cummings was hoping his Albury Cup contender Illo would be missed by the handicappers although this was not the case and the German import was giving top weight of 61kg. Illo was imported by Bart to target last years Melbourne Cup but the son of USA stallion Tertullian has been consistant without being impressive and is yet to win in Australia from 5 starts including a 19th in Race That Stops The Nation.

With the absence of Illo minimum weights for the Albury Gold Cup will go up 2kg.

Illo is likely to race in Saturday’s Weight For Age Group 1 Ranvet Stakes at Rosehill where he will carry 59kg.