Confirmation for some
August 30th 2008 06:26
As expected Aidan O’Brien has announced that he will nor be bringing a horse to Melbourne for either the Cox Plate or Caulfield Cup. But Aidan O’Brien has confirmed that the Melbourne Cup is still part of his agenda.
“Horses such as Henrythenavigator and Duke Of Marmalade continue to win Group 1 races in Europe, and as has previously been reported, they are likely to be aimed at further feature Group 1 races in both Europe and North America. However the Melbourne Cup remains firmly on Aidan's agenda.” - Leigh Jordon (Racing Victoria).
(photo: lucacumani.com)
No surprises there, and most likely it will be Septimus, Yeats and Macarthur that will feature as the Ballydoyle main chances.
The list of Ballydoyle's possible contenders for the Melbourne Cup:
Allesandro Volta
Bashkirov
Honolulu
MacArthur
Septimus
Yeats
Washington Irving
It was always highly unlikely that we would also see Duke Of Marmalade, Henrythenavigator or Frozen fire in Melbourne - unless as part of stud duties as a shuttle stallion.
In fact most of the horses that I have featured in articles have been confirmed as being set to travel to Australia.
Luca Cumani has as his main contender Mad Rush - likely to run in both Caulfield and Melbourne Cups as Purple Moon did last year. Mad Rush has raced once more since I profiled him. He was not disgraced when running 2nd at Deauville on the 24th of August in the Darley Prix Kergolay Group Two at 1 mile and 7 furlongs (track rated good to soft). He was defeated by Ponte Tresa by a short neck with the third horse (Coastal Path) 2 1/2 lengths further astern. The first two home clearly superior. Still good signs for this horse and Cumani as he seeks to go one better than he did with Purple Moon in the Melbourne Cup last year.
Comments In Running:
Mad Rush:
mid-division, close 7th straight, brought wide and challenged 1 1/2f out, driven and every chance final furlong until unable to quicken
Interesting to note that Mad Rush was further back than usual in this race and still only narrowly failed.
Luca Cumani also confirms that Bauer (another horse highligted) is to come and most likely try to gain entry into the Melbourne Cup by winning the Geelong Cup as qualification. Shades of Media Puzzle.
As expected Yellowstone (for Jane Chapple-Hyams) and Mourilyan (Gary Moore) have been confirmed as starters for the Melbourne Cup.
Although the tough quarantine regulations have made it especially difficult this year for the European horses (impossible for the Japanese), the quality of European stayer is still very impressive. From the historic deeds of Yeats, to the promise of Mad Rush, we will still be well represented with quality thoroughbreds for our feature staying race.
“Horses such as Henrythenavigator and Duke Of Marmalade continue to win Group 1 races in Europe, and as has previously been reported, they are likely to be aimed at further feature Group 1 races in both Europe and North America. However the Melbourne Cup remains firmly on Aidan's agenda.” - Leigh Jordon (Racing Victoria).
Luca Cumani's stables
(photo: lucacumani.com)
No surprises there, and most likely it will be Septimus, Yeats and Macarthur that will feature as the Ballydoyle main chances.
The list of Ballydoyle's possible contenders for the Melbourne Cup:
Allesandro Volta
Bashkirov
Honolulu
MacArthur
Septimus
Yeats
Washington Irving
It was always highly unlikely that we would also see Duke Of Marmalade, Henrythenavigator or Frozen fire in Melbourne - unless as part of stud duties as a shuttle stallion.
In fact most of the horses that I have featured in articles have been confirmed as being set to travel to Australia.
Luca Cumani has as his main contender Mad Rush - likely to run in both Caulfield and Melbourne Cups as Purple Moon did last year. Mad Rush has raced once more since I profiled him. He was not disgraced when running 2nd at Deauville on the 24th of August in the Darley Prix Kergolay Group Two at 1 mile and 7 furlongs (track rated good to soft). He was defeated by Ponte Tresa by a short neck with the third horse (Coastal Path) 2 1/2 lengths further astern. The first two home clearly superior. Still good signs for this horse and Cumani as he seeks to go one better than he did with Purple Moon in the Melbourne Cup last year.
Comments In Running:
Mad Rush:
mid-division, close 7th straight, brought wide and challenged 1 1/2f out, driven and every chance final furlong until unable to quicken
Interesting to note that Mad Rush was further back than usual in this race and still only narrowly failed.
Luca Cumani also confirms that Bauer (another horse highligted) is to come and most likely try to gain entry into the Melbourne Cup by winning the Geelong Cup as qualification. Shades of Media Puzzle.
As expected Yellowstone (for Jane Chapple-Hyams) and Mourilyan (Gary Moore) have been confirmed as starters for the Melbourne Cup.
Although the tough quarantine regulations have made it especially difficult this year for the European horses (impossible for the Japanese), the quality of European stayer is still very impressive. From the historic deeds of Yeats, to the promise of Mad Rush, we will still be well represented with quality thoroughbreds for our feature staying race.
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