The 2007 Melbourne Cup winner Efficient has been put in the field for this Saturday’s Cox Plate despite not having won a race for two years.

The barrier draw for the big race at Moonee Valley was finalised at a breakfast function in Melbourne this morning.

Maggie Lighezzolo reports.

TRANSCRIPT

2007 Melbourne cup winner Efficient has been included into Saturday’s race at the expense of emergencies Yosei and Avienus with a final field of 14.

Helmet and Jimmy Choux remain favourites.

Gai Waterhouse is battling to have her Cox Plate entrant Descarado fit for Saturday’s big race.

The Caulfield Stakes winner was a notable absentee from this morning’s public workouts at Moonee Valley.

Gai Waterhouse, Descarado owner: “He’s got swelling in one leg and I consequently decided not to bring him here this morning and I’m accepting with him this morning the Cox Plate and hopefully we’ll all be here with bells on.”

In cricket 18-year-old Pat Cummins is making a lightning climb to the top.

On the cusp of becoming the nation’s youngest Test player in 58 years, Cummins is the only change to Australia’s fifteen-man squad for the two-Test series in South Africa next month.

Patrick Cummins, Australian bowler: “You can feel the rivalry when you’re out there fielding. The crowd’s very local and it’s all in good spirits.”

Australia play South Africa in Centurion tomorrow.

And in the Rugby World Cup, The Wallabies won’t lack motivation in Friday night’s play-off against Wales for third place.

Australian skipper James Horwill says it’s a good thing to be playing so soon after the 20-6 semi-final loss to New Zealand.

And finally to surfing at the RipCurl Pro in Portugal, Australian Kai Otton has narrowly missed out on winning the second day’s heat.

Even against a two-wave score of 18-plus points, Kelly Slater proved once again just how potent his particular combination course is.

Maggie Lighezzolo, QUT News.