Imported stayer Americain, last year’s winner of the Melbourne Cup, is this year’s favourite Source: Herald Sun

THE Caulfield Cup favourite's season is over, and the race's winner isn't even nominated for the Melbourne Cup.

 Did the horse that will go into Australian racing folklore on the first Tuesday in November even race last Saturday?

That is what was left to be pondered after South Australian mare Southern Speed won the nation’s richest 2400m handicap, while December Draw tailed out last.

In Caulfield Cup post mortems, December Draw was found to have a fracture to the lateral splint bone and will require a long spell.

Owners Richard Pegum and Gary Towzell had organised a party, which apparently still went ahead but more as a wake.

Fifth placegetter Lucas Cranach, who peaked on his run 100m from the line, pulled up lame in his troublesome near foreleg.

More perplexing was the failure of heavily backed second favourite Mighty High, who finished second last. He displayed no abnormality when vetted and also scoped clear. He even had the audacity to eat up, leaving the members of the John Moore stable scratching their heads.

Second placegetter Green Moon covered ground but stuck on valiantly after seizing the lead at the top of the straight before being collared inside the final 200m.

The imported stayer, now into $11 second favourite for the big two-miler, will have to go to Flemington on Saturday week to win the Lexus Stakes (2500m) if he is to be assured a Cup spot.

Green Moon spearheads owner Lloyd Williams’s team. Midas Touch goes to the Mackinnon Stakes (2000m) at Flemington on Saturday week. At First Sight, who has had a virus, goes to the Bendigo Cup on Wednesday week.

Reigning Melbourne Cup winner Americain has been promoted to favouritism at $8, his title defence to be preceded by a lead-up run in this Saturday’s Moonee Valley Cup. Connections took the decision to bypass the Cox Plate after a phone hook-up with trainer Alain de Royer-Dupre yesterday morning.

Gerry Ryan and Kevin Bamford, the Australian businessmen who bought into Americain and realised a dream last year, have bought an interest in Jukebox Jury, which flew into Melbourne on Saturday for the Cup along with stablemate Fox Hunt and another raider in Red Cadeaux.

An eye-catching run in the Caulfield Cup was handed in by Unusual Suspect, who battled to wind up sixth, less than four lengths from the winner.

Trainer Michael Kent, who prepares the horse for a group of current and former thoroughbred veterinarians, will steer him towards the Mackinnon Stakes (2000m) on Saturday week to top off the former American galloper for his ultimate mission.

Unbeaten mare Black Caviar is also chasing win No 15 in succession at Moonee Valley on Saturday.

She will be unbackable in the Schweppervescence Stakes.