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Import nominated for Flemington with ultimate gear change

Darryl Sherer - Monday July 31

One of the leading fancies for last year's Melbourne Cup has been nominated for races at Flemington on Saturday with a significant gear change.

Bondi Beach galloping at Werribee last year. Photo: Darryl Sherer

At 106, the Robert Hickmott-trained Bondi Beach is the highest-rated horse among the 272 current nominations for the meeting and is now a gelding.

The son of Galileo is one of five Robert Hickmott-trained runners including Sydney Cup winner Gallante and Herbert Power Stakes winner Amralah nominated for the 2000m and 1600m races.

Bondi Beach was one of four horses in the colours of Lloyd Williams in last year's Melbourne Cup when trained by Aidan O'Brien, finishing 13th as an entire behind Almandin as a $13 chance with Gallante finishing 20th.

Amralah was favourite for the 2015 Melbourne Cup following his three length defeat of Excess Knowledge in the Herbert Power Stakes at Caulfield however, was withdrawn on the eve of the race over fears a medication administered to the import which contained a prohibited substance had not cleared its system in time for the race.

A rising eight-year-old, Amralah has not raced since the win at Caulfield in October 2015, suffering a leg injury when being prepared for the 2016 autumn carnival.

Hickmott has also nominated Aloft and Our Century for the same 1600m and 2000m races on Saturday.

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