That's correct, the VRC Derby winner is not already nominated can nominate for a fee of around about $130,000 - the catch is it has to carry at least WFA.

Winner.... if he runs a hole the positions stand

Had Mr. C. won, or ran second or third in yesterday's Geelong Cup he could not have been declared a non-runner. The stewards had the power to declare placegetters non-runners removed a few months ago.

The withdrawal of Mr C. as a starter knocked around $500-00 from the trifecta dividend.
The puzzling thing was the initial relatively small trifecta div. with Mr. C out of the place.
Interesting to note that when Bakula jumped tailed off at Cranbourne today with an attendant ripping his head to the side just as the barriers opened, he was declared a runner.

Think it has been like that for a while though. I remember watching a race either late last year or early this year. Only 4 horses in it, but the odds on (or more like Money back; was only paying $1.02) favourite missed the start by 10 lengths. One of the barrier attendents had held the reign too long and he was badly held back. Although, unlike Mr C., this favourite won the race like a favourite, making up the 10 lengths easy and beating the other three by another 4 or 5.. I thought that was pretty damn impressive for a sprint. Point is, despite the fact that his missing the start wasnt his fault, he was decalred a runner and winner. I know it was ages ago though because that was way back when I used to bet on other horses but my own, and Lady has been racing since Late 04 now. I have only bet on other horses in big races since she started so... yeah, thats how I figure its been a while.

I should probably add that this was down in Tassie i believe, so it may have just been their stewards that handled it that way.

Lady Frisco - In such circumstances, the stewards would not declare a horse a non-runner.

The rule disallowing the stewards the option of declaring placegetters non-runners was actually amended in March this year.

Entirely possible. Back then, I paid little attention to long boring details and only really gave the stewards a thought in protests. I honestly, have paid more attention to rules and such as an owner than I ever did as a punter. Back then, the most I was interested in was how well the horse could run, and whether or not it was a Lion Hunter. They have never let me down.

I missed the race in question, unfortunately. Kids get fractious if I turn the TV off Nick Jr. But from what I have read, it does sound like the only ones involved in Mr C. missing the start was well, Mr C. Doesn't sound like Non runner material to me. We do have to keep in mind that the starter cant see every part of every horse before he presses that button. He can see a horse rearing up, but not one laying on the wall. If all horses that werent ready to start when the starter presses the button were non runners, then I had one fall asleep in the barriers and I wouldnt mind that start being struck from her record, LOL. (Joke - Although she did fall asleep in the barrier on us!)

But as I said, missing the race disqualifies my opinion somewhat. I am simply going on the hear-say in here.

Last year the first & second from the Saab where guaranteed a run in the MC,

The winner was Don Raphael and second,Catchemeifyoucan

Has something changed?

Yes, apparently it has. Certainly caught me out.

How does the Saab form usually stack up in the cup. Speaking from no knowlege i would guess it wouldn't. Considering the horses likely to win it are horses who havn't already qualified for the cup nad are that desperate to get in they have to run like a week before. Then there is the backup into the 3200. Going on last years runners don raphael and catchmeifyoucan, both clearly not up to MC standard, this would go along with my theory. But if someone with more historical knowledge than me would like to correct my 'on the spot' theory that would be good.

Cheers.