He was a significant firmer on-track as sentimental money flooded in for the luckless 2005 Melbourne Cup fourth place-getter.

But after taking up his customary position at the back of the field on the running rail, Leica Falcon was found wanting when the tempo of the race lifted around the home turn.

In the lead-up to the race Leica Falcon’s trainer Richard Freyer said the gelding would “have to perform” to continue with his campaign.

However, jockey Nick Souquet, who was riding the gelding for the first time since the pair tasted success in 2005, said he hasn’t written off the stayer’s career.

“He was a bit disappointing but I wouldn’t give up on him just yet,” Souquet said.

“He’s had that terrible time off and he might have just lost interest in his racing a little bit.

“I don’t think (Freyer’s) quite sure what to do with him at the moment.

“But I said that I wouldn’t be too rash — I wouldn’t write him off just yet, he’s too good a horse.

“I probably would put it down to more a mental thing than physical.

“He still felt all right and he’s very, very fit — he wouldn’t blow out a candle.

“There’s not many blokes better than Richard to get one right in the head.

“He’s not the horse he was and probably never will be but hopefully he might be able to perk up a little bit along the line.”

Elsewhere, Souquet had a day of near-misses aboard some talented horses, finishing third on two occasions.

He said he held a high opinion of the second of his placings, the Benalla-trained Cristis Gold.

“It will make a horse,” Souquet said.

“He’s very new but once he learns how to race and what it’s all about he’ll be a nice horse.”

The Ann Taylor-trained gelding was beaten by the impressive Woodwin who looks set to return to Melbourne.

That win gave top Melbourne jockey Brad Rawiller a running double and his third winner of the day.