Red Cardinal, syndicated by Australian Bloodstock, was a winner of the Grade III Belmont Gold Cup Invitational (2m) in the US at his last outing on June 9 but was never a factor in the Prix Kergorlay.
Australian Bloodstock's 2014 Melbourne Cup winner Protectionist won the Prix Kergorlay before his successful Melbourne raid later that year but Red Cardinal could only manage fifth in the 2017 edition of the race.
Jockey Eduardo Pedroza was happy to let the Andreas Wohler-trained Red Cardinal lob along at the back of the field but the son of Montjeu was unable to make up enough ground in the straight before finishing 6 ¼ lengths from the winner Marmelo.
Red Cardinal's effort left him as a $21 chance in Sportsbet's Melbourne Cup market while Ladbrokes have the gelding as a $17 chance.
Both agencies have the Japanese galloper Admire Deus, who has also been syndicated by Australian Bloodstock and will join the Darren Weir stable, as the Melbourne Cup favourite.
Sportsbet and Ladbrokes have Admire Deus at $16 and $11 respectively in their latest pre-nomination Melbourne Cup market after the stayer finished fourth in the spring Tenno Sho (3200m) in April.
Below is the replay of the Prix Kergorlay. Red Cardinal is in the blue jacket with the black and white checked sleeves.
