ANZ Bloodstock News Melbourne Cup Supplement 2020 by RACING POST BLOODSTOCK

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MELBOURNE CUP SUPPLEMENT 2020

Race of

LEGENDS legends

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Welcome

Welcome I

n this year like no other, I am thrilled to

preview gives you all the information you

CONTRIBUTORS

need to find the winner of the race that stops

Steve Moran

the nation. This brings together months of

Tommy Churchyard

research into one easy-to-read guide. However, make sure to read Tommy

ANZ BLOODSTOCK NEWS TEAM

launch this Melbourne Cup supplement,

Churchyard’s catch-up with international

Andrew Hawkins - Editor

the first under the ANZ Bloodstock News

trailblazers Dermot Weld and Frankie Dettori,

James Oldring - Director

banner.

who both took part in the first international

Alex Wiltshire - Commercial

Cup in 1993, as well as Steve Moran’s chat with

Aaron Davies-Jones - Design

2000 winning trainer Mike Moroney.

Data supplied by Arion

From a personal perspective, it has

allowed me to combine my passion for the Melbourne Cup and my yearly preview -

In addition, OTI Racing principal Terry

published for more than a decade now - with

Henderson writes his final Road To The Cup

content produced by ANZ’s industry-leading

column ahead of Tuesday’s race.

ANZ Bloodstock News

publication team.

Enjoy the 2020 Melbourne Cup as the race of

www.anzbloodstocknews.com

legends writes another chapter.

advertising@anzbloodstocknews.com

As always, this one-stop Melbourne Cup

anz_news

All care has been taken in the compilation of this supplement but no responsibility can be accepted for any errors or ommissions. No part of this publication may be reproduced without the permission of the publishers.

What our current members are saying... I use the extensive database for sales bloodstock research with particular emphasis on ratings and would also refer to the individual race analysis as a further source of info while looking into the background of any horse of interest to me in the sales - David

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I use the race replay facility to review a horse's form to help to analyse races. I also use the bloodstock section to follow the sales and stallion results, and the extended racecards which show all details including a horse's breeding - Glenn The pedigree & sales tabs are extremely useful when looking at 2yo races and being able to view the newspaper the evening before - Ian

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Mike Moroney

Dream lingers THE

FOR MORONEY TWO DECADES ON

e dreamt he won the Melbourne

Not only did Moroney dream - some four

brother Paul and said we had to buy him. He

Cup with a horse he, then, didn’t

years earlier - he’d win the Cup; he somewhat

contacted Craig Lindberg and Richard Pegum

train. He slept in the same bed

brashly predicted it, against all odds, early in

who agreed to underwrite the lot and on-sold

as Olivia Newton-John and once

that spring carnival.

shares. We paid $100,000 for him plus a $10,000 commission,” he said.

upstaged Vanessa Amorosi - both of whom

“I’d moved to Melbourne the year before

performed at the Sydney Olympics in the year

and was living alone and Russell Cameron,

Moroney recalls waking, that earlier fateful

that he won the Cup.

whom we’ve sadly lost, and his wife Judy would

morning, to tell his then wife Jane of the dream.

kindly have me around to dinner two or three

“I just dreamt that I won the Melbourne Cup by

nights a week.

two lengths with Brew as number 24 – wearing

He’s trained more than 50 Group 1 winners in Australia and New Zealand but only had a “vision” of this one.

“I was going pretty poorly at the time but

our colours except with a black cap.” He later

He is, of course, Mike Moroney and he

one night, about eight weeks out from the race,

conceded the strange quirk of the dream - that

says he remembers “like it was yesterday” that

I told them I was going to win the Cup. Judy

the race had been right-handed.

dream-come-true Melbourne Cup win with

laughed which she was entitled to do, given how

The simple reason, of course, that it hadn’t

Brew 20 years ago.

I was going, but I knew that Brew had matured

come to fruition in 1999 was that year Brew wasn’t number 24.

The impeccably bred son of champion

enough to win the race, especially given the

stallion Sir Tristram (Sir Ivor) from the Japan

run he’d had the year before,” Moroney said

He was in 2000 as the lowest-weighted

Cup-winning mare Horlicks (Three Legs)

of the horse who’d finished tenth in the 1999

runner with 49 kilograms. He was also the last

cruised to a two-length win in the 2000 Cup to

Melbourne Cup.

provide 20-year-old jockey Kerrin McEvoy with

But we jump the gun. The dream?

his first Group 1 and the first of three - so far -

"Three and a half years ago I dreamed I

Melbourne Cups.

won the Melbourne Cup with Brew," he said immediately after the Cup.

I’D MOVED TO MELBOURNE THE YEAR BEFORE AND WAS LIVING ALONE AND RUSSELL CAMERON, WHOM WE’VE SADLY LOST, AND HIS WIFE JUDY WOULD KINDLY HAVE ME AROUND TO DINNER TWO OR THREE NIGHTS A WEEK

At that time, Brew was in New Zealand and being trained by Paul O’Sullivan, son of Moroney’s original mentor Dave O’Sullivan, but fate would eventually decree that the horse would go to his Cup-winning home. “I was talking to Paul at trackwork one morning and he mentioned that Brew had been sold to Singapore. Later in the day I ran into him at the trials and he said the sale had fallen through. “I got straight onto the phone to my

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Mike Moroney

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ANZ Bloodstock Melbourne Cup supplement 2020

Brew

SPORTPIX

he look like?’ Another replied, ‘He’s big and

horse into the field having secured a berth by

Moroney also finished third that year with

winning the Hotham (then sponsored by Saab)

his 1997 Victoria Derby winner Second Coming

on Derby day and he won by the “predicted”

(Oak Ridge) while his third representative

Later that year, Moroney took Second

two lengths.

Maridpour (Shernazar) finished last. The same

Coming and the Melbourne Cup trophy to

three horses had run the year before without

Hong Kong where the Derby winner finished

success.

12th in the Hong Kong Vase. “My most vivid

“I have to credit the late Andrew Ramsden, whose group Gurners Bloodstock was in the

looks like a Rugby player’,” he said.

ownership, for insisting that we run in the

“Second Coming was very good that year

memory of that is taking the Cup trophy down

Saab. I wasn’t that keen but, as it turned out, we

(2000). Halfway down the straight, I thought

to the bar of the Conrad Hotel and being

wouldn’t have got a run in the Cup had he not

we were going to run the quinella but Second

besieged by people, from all over the world,

won the Saab and he improved off that run on

Coming had had a foot abscess and he wasn’t

desperate to have their photo taken with the

the Saturday,” he said.

100 per cent and he pulled his head off. Fully

Cup.

fit, he would have beaten Brew. He is the best

I THINK UNTIL YOU WIN IT YOU DON’T REALISE JUST HOW BIG A DEAL IT IS. I WENT TO A FUNCTION IN AUCKLAND WITH VANESSA AMOROSI WHO’D HAD HER HUGE HIT WITH SHINE THAT YEAR. SHE SANG. I SHOWED EVERYONE THE CUP AND I’M SURE I GOT A BIGGER OVATION.

“I think until you win it you don’t realise just how big a deal it is. I went to a function

stayer I’ve trained,” he said. almost

in Auckland with Vanessa Amorosi who’d had

impossible to fathom as they crossed the line.

her huge hit with Shine that year. She sang. I

“Then I went downstairs and one of the guys

showed everyone the Cup and I’m sure I got a

from New Zealand TV approached me and I will

bigger ovation.

Moroney

says

the

win

was

never forget his precise words: ‘Mike Moroney, you’ve trained the Cup winner.’”

“And it’s kept going over the years. Last year I went to New Zealand with Des Gleeson,

The usual media frenzy followed which

who’s a great fellow, and we visited kids at a

he recalls was a far cry from when he won the

riding for the disabled centre and those kids

Derby with Second Coming. “I was standing by

were so excited to see the Cup and I’ve been

the winner’s stall when I overheard a couple of

to retirement villages where you would get the

reporters asking, ‘Is Moroney here? What does

same reaction,” he said.

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Mike Moroney

twice

didn’t race for almost two years after the Cup.

(Ocean Park) won the race named after Begonia

Cups.

He eventually returned to racing and won twice

Belle at Flemington last spring,” he said.

Maythehorsebewithu (Zabeel) finished fifth in

in four starts before further injury ended his

“Mum Mary’s side of the family had bred

2001 while Xcellent (Pentire) came from near

career after winning at Trentham in January,

and raced horses for years. They sold Favour

last on the turn to finish third to Makybe Diva

2008. “We never saw the best of him,” Moroney

(Nizami), the dam of Golden Slipper winner

(Desert King) in her third Cup win in 2005.

said.

John’s Hope (Wilkes). Dad (Dennis or Denny)

Moroney in

has

subsequent

threatened Melbourne

“Jason Patton rode Maythehorsebewithu

Moroney’s connection to the Cup dates

has had a lot to do with the stable over the

and unfortunately he reared in the gates, was

back to the 1960 winner Hi-Jinx (Pride Of

years. Three months after I got my licence, they

slow away and settled a long way back which

Kildare). That Cup winner listed as Hi-Jinx -

sold the farm and moved to Matamata and he

was not his racing pattern. He’d raced on the

with the hyphen in the New Zealand Stud Book

started working at the stables.

speed to win the Saab on the Saturday.

but without in most other records - was bred by

“After a while I thought ‘I better start paying

“And Xcellent, well he was the best horse

his maternal grandmother Ellie Casey’s family

him’. He’s 91 and, until last year, he was still at

I’ve trained but he had a lot of issues. The Cup

whose racing colours he still uses and whose

the track every morning.”

was only his ninth start, he lost both front plates

home featured a photo of the Cup win which

Moroney’s apprenticeship in racing began

in the run and probably hadn’t had the perfect

Moroney recalls that he and his brother Paul

at age of 16, under the tutelage of top New

preparation going from 1400 (metres) to 2000

“looked at all the time”.

Zealand trainer Dave O'Sullivan, which has been well documented. It was O’Sullivan’s

(metres) to the Cox Plate before Flemington.

“I remember my grandmother coming back

He did a great job to finish as close as he did

from a trip to Australia and telling us she’d seen

friendship

behind the great mare,” he said.

a champion filly called Begonia Belle (Court

Armanasco - arguably the first of the great

Sentence) so I rather enjoyed it when Tofane

stallion-making trainers - which precipitated

Xcellent suffered two tendon injuries and

with

Caulfield

trainer

Angus

Moroney’s first trip outside New Zealand. “Dave decided I should have a working holiday in Melbourne and he arranged it all with Angus. I would have been about 19, maybe 20, and hadn’t been overseas before so obviously had to get a passport. “I stayed at Angus’ house and I remember him saying, ‘That’s your room son and you’ll never guess who was the last person to sleep in there…Olivia Newton John, she went to school with my daughter.’ I think Grease had just been released in Australia,” he said. Grease, starring Newton-John, indeed opened in Australia in

AND XCELLENT, WELL HE WAS THE BEST HORSE I’VE TRAINED BUT HE HAD A LOT OF ISSUES. THE CUP WAS ONLY HIS NINTH START, HE LOST BOTH FRONT PLATES IN THE RUN AND PROBABLY HADN’T HAD THE PERFECT PREPARATION GOING FROM 1400 (METRES) TO 2000 (METRES) TO THE COX PLATE BEFORE FLEMINGTON. HE DID A GREAT JOB TO FINISH AS CLOSE AS HE DID BEHIND THE GREAT MARE Xcellent

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ANZ Bloodstock Melbourne Cup supplement 2020

remember going around with him to collect the

AFTER A WHILE I THOUGHT ‘I BETTER START PAYING HIM’. HE’S 91 AND, UNTIL LAST YEAR, HE WAS STILL AT THE TRACK EVERY MORNING

rent. “I also remember he’d have a lot of his owners around on a Sunday and they would adjourn to the pool room where Angus was unbeatable if the money was on,” Moroney said. Moroney says it’s true that Armanasco

August, 1978.

whose

great

horses

included

Biscay,

Moroney has great memories of that time at

Bletchingly, The Judge, True Version, Zeditave,

Caulfield. “Kiwi trainer Keith Hawtin was there

Star Of Heaven, Full On Aces and Tolerance -

as Angus’ foreman. Mick Crawford and Brian

often had a nip of scotch early in the morning.

Werner were there as well and a young Ricky

He lived to 92.

Thurgood who was such a good kid.

It was 18 years later that Moroney would

Luck of Brew launches McEvoy’s legendary career

“Obviously Angus was a great trainer,

first set up in Australia where, surprisingly

A then 20-year-old Kerrin McEvoy

especially of two-year-olds and sprinters,

enough, his father was born. He opened stables

rode Brew. It was his first Group 1 win in a

and so many great stallions came from his

in Adelaide before moving to Melbourne the

career which has now seen him win three

team but he also showed an interest in what

year before he claimed the Cup.

Melbourne Cups, three Everests, a Caulfield

we did, as Kiwis, with stayers. He was an

And his last word on winning a Melbourne

amazing character. He owned a few shops and I

Cup? “Nothing, in this game, comes close to it.”

Cup and enjoy multiple Group 1 success in England and Europe. He had previously ridden Brew but not in his four runs immediately preceding the Cup. Brett Prebble was aboard in the Moonee Valley Cup while Chris Munce had won the Saab on the New Zealand-bred gelding. “I was a bit lucky,” McEvoy recalled, “Brett (Prebble) couldn’t make the weight and Chris Munce had already committed to Coco Cobanna for Gai (Waterhouse). I’d ridden for Mike when I was in Adelaide during the time I was apprenticed to Russell Cameron so that probably helped me but I remember that not all the owners were happy with the call. “Richard Pegum cancelled his flight from the UK. ‘It can’t win with that kid on it’, he apparently said. I later won some races for him in England and we had a laugh about it. I was so elated to get the ride and then deflated when we drew the outside. I was then resigned to whatever happens will happen and, as it turned out, we had a lovely run in the race.” McEvoy also won the 1700-metre mares handicap, that day, on Grand Seattle (Le Grand Seigneur). “I remember that well too. She was trained by Max Hinton and I rode a lot for Max as a kid so that was another memorable part of the day,” he said.

Hi Jinx

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Friday, July 3, 2020

Trailblaz

Dermot Weld and Frankie Dettori had different expe led the first international raid on the Melbourne Cup Churchyard catches up with the pair

he Melbourne Cup has been held

“When I qualified as a vet, I went to work

close to the hearts of Australians

in Australia first and I became very much aware

since its inaugural running in 1861

of the importance of the Melbourne Cup,” Weld

and over the years it developed into

says.

a thrilling domestic spat between the Aussies and

“It took me a year to get all of the flight

paths changed and the quarantine changed. “Vintage Crop changed everything, he internationalised the Melbourne Cup. He

“I always said when I started training that

opened it up to the world.”

I’d love to bring a horse back to run in it. That’s

Joining Vintage Crop and his successful

However, 27 years ago, one horse changed

how it all started, then it was just a matter of

jockey, Michael Kinane, on the journey to

the complexion of the race forever, turning

getting the right horse and Vintage Crop came

Australia in 1993 was a fresh-faced Frankie

the 3200-metre contest into the international

along.

Dettori,

Kiwis, stopping the nation on each occasion.

monument as we know it today. That horse was the Dermot Weld-trained Vintage Crop (Rousillon), who became the first northern hemisphere raider to win the

“I went out there for the race and nobody expected us to do it, it was a great achievement for all concerned. It was a very special day.”

who

was

partnering

the

Lord

Huntingdon-trained Drum Taps (Dixieland Band). Having won the Ascot Gold Cup (Gr 1, 2m

Prior to 1993, taking a horse from Europe

4f ) on Drum Taps earlier that year, Dettori was

to Australia to run in the Melbourne Cup was

heading to Australia full of confidence and

Weld opened European eyes to the

unfathomable, primarily because the logistics

excitement. Much to his displeasure, though,

possibility of running in Australia’s most

were not in place to accommodate such a

famous race, let alone winning it, and his

move. While European horses had been able

fondness of the country led him to become the

to travel to Sydney for the Tancred Stakes (Gr

European trailblazer.

1, 2400m) in the late-1980s, Melbourne was off-

prestigious event in its 130-plus year history.

limits - until 1993.

I WENT OUT THERE FOR THE RACE AND NOBODY EXPECTED US TO DO IT, IT WAS A GREAT ACHIEVEMENT FOR ALL CONCERNED. IT WAS A VERY SPECIAL DAY

Once Weld had found the right horse, he was determined to make it happen, and it took him 12 months to plot a route that would allow Vintage Crop to run in the race. “It was extremely difficult, there was a year's preparation that went into it,” Weld says. “You couldn’t go to Australia to run in the Melbourne Cup, it wasn’t possible.

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Dermot Weld

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zers

eriences when they p in 1993. Tommy

the bubbly Italian native did not receive the friendly Australian welcome he expected.

Vintage Crop presentation

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the trainer of Drum Taps, trained in Australia so he took me round Melbourne on a bit of a culture tour and then I got very friendly with Greg Hall, Shane Dye, Lloyd Williams, Jack Ingham, and we started a good relationship from then on,” he recalls. “Further down the road, I married

“I was 22 years old and Drum Taps had won

Catherine, whose mum is from Australia and

the Ascot Gold Cup. Myself and Michael Kinane

her father from New Zealand, so we now have

went over with Drum Taps and Vintage Crop

relatives down under.

and it was very exciting,” Dettori says.

ANZ Bloodstock Melbourne Cup supplement 2020

AS JOCKEYS, WE WERE LOOKED AT LIKE ALIENS. WE WERE NOT VERY WELCOMED BY THE LOCAL PEOPLE AND IT WAS A BIT OF A FROSTY WELCOME FROM THE OTHER JOCKEYS. WE WERE PUT IN THE CORNER, NOBODY SPOKE TO US

“Never mind the Melbourne Cup, but to go

“As jockeys, we were looked at like aliens.

back down there and see relatives and explore

Whilst Weld celebrated his second title in

We were not very welcomed by the local people

their part of the world, it has always been

2002, Dettori finished down the field in 18th

and it was a bit of a frosty welcome from the

welcoming.

place on Irish St Leger (Gr 1, 1m 6f ) runner-up

other jockeys. We were put in the corner, nobody spoke to us.”

“I get it down the neck every year by my relatives: ‘Why have I not won the Melbourne

Despite finishing ninth that year, Dettori well and truly caught the Melbourne Cup bug.

Cup?’”

Pugin (Darshaan). A year later, he finished last on heavily-backed favourite Mamool (In The Wings), partnering the

Dettori returned to ride in the Melbourne

same horse into seventh 12 months on; both

“It was an experience and I loved it. William

Cup three more times before the turn of the

times, they finished behind Melbourne Cup

Hastings-Bass, who is now Lord Huntingdon,

century and came an agonisingly close runner-

queen Makybe Diva (Desert King).

up on Central Park () in 1999.

a handful of rides before he came within

ridden Media Puzzle () provided Irish trainer

touching distance of a first Melbourne Cup

Weld with another Melbourne Cup winner,

success, losing out by half a length to Prince

achieving the feat for the second time before

Of Penzance (Pentire) while riding the Willie

any other European jockey or trainer had

Mullins-trained Max Dynamite (Great Journey).

managed to notch their first win in the race.

Media Puzzle

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Over the next decade, Dettori had only

Shortly after, in 2002, the Damien Oliver-

“I came so close and I have come so close

“Every time you’re fortunate enough to win

three times. The two biggest races in the world

it, it is special,” Weld recalls. “I had two horses in

I would like to win are the Melbourne Cup and

the race that year, Vinnie Roe and Media Puzzle,

the July Cup, because of Newmarket.

and I always remember turning for home that it

“The Kentucky Derby is another one but

was obvious to me one or the other was going to

I’m never going to ride a nice three-year-old in

win, which was a very special feeling.”

America, so the two realistic challenges I’ve got

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Trailblazers

Friday, July 3, 2020

left in my career are to win the Melbourne Cup and the July Cup.” Dettori, now 49 years old, has won almost every other prestigious flat race around the world, but admitted his pain following last year’s agonising defeat on Master Of Reality, telling racecourse media: “I want to cry.” Lloyd Williams, the Melbourne Cup’s winning-most owner with six titles, chose Dettori to ride last year’s second-past-the-post Master Of Reality (Frankel) and Dettori says the 80-year-old has made it his goal to win him his first Melbourne Cup. “Lloyd Williams has been a fantastic friend of mine for the last 25 years and, as an 80-yearold man who has won six Melbourne Cups and achieved everything, his biggest goal at the moment is to try and help me win a Melbourne Cup,” he said. “If I didn’t mess it up last year, he probably would have achieved his dream. It is a shame that I can’t go back and ride Master Of Reality this year, but of all the major winners I have had around the world, the Melbourne Cup is probably my biggest target. “It is one of the biggest races in the world, and having the down under connection, it would be great to do it for the family.”

Frankie Dettori

RACING POST

the European raid that we have seen over the last three decades. “The quarantine rules are so hard, with the

Unfortunately for Dettori, the Covid-19

two weeks quarantine beforehand, it made my

pandemic has postponed his 18th attempt at

task impossible,” he opined. “I was ready to go,

winning the Flemington feature for another

my bags were all packed, but we’ll have to wait

year, but he vows to return in 2021 to continue

one more year.”

Frankie Dettori, last year

AAP

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IF I DIDN’T MESS IT UP LAST YEAR, HE PROBABLY WOULD HAVE ACHIEVED HIS DREAM. IT IS A SHAME THAT I CAN’T GO BACK AND RIDE MASTER OF REALITY THIS YEAR, BUT OF ALL THE MAJOR WINNERS I HAVE HAD AROUND THE WORLD, THE MELBOURNE CUP IS PROBABLY MY BIGGEST TARGET

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Road To The Melbourne Cup

Road to the

Melbourne C OTI Racing's Terry Henderson reflects on a Melbourne Cup of missed opportunities

his can be a cruel sport! It’s tough

he’s still a young horse and we knew we were

Cup winner, Verry Elleegant, and Cox Plate

to miss out on a runner in the Cup

reliant on a couple dropping out for him to

winner, Sir Dragonet, as we head into race on

this year, with True Self number 25

get a run. He’ll be better again next year after

Tuesday.

and San Huberto 26 in the ballot

another season in France and the experience

The other thing you do need is a horse that

for him having come out here this year will be

can run two miles and two miles at Flemington.

great for him.

The winner is going to have to run a very strong

following the Lexus on Saturday. I feel for the owners, especially the owners of True Self. She was number 25 on the order

Michael Stoute was always a fan of sending

last 800 metres. If you’re lucky enough to have a sit

of entry heading into Derby Day and the Lexus

a horse to Hong Kong a year before he actually

and not present until the clock tower then you’re

last year and unfortunately she just missed out

wanted them to go and he felt they always

in a very lucky position and that’s normally borne

then too.

benefited from that. I think San Huberto will be

about because of barrier draws, but I think above

in the same situation.

all else you need a strong stayer.

Our owners in True Self, both in Ireland and Australia, would have loved to have had a runner in the Melbourne Cup. San Huberto, although we’re disappointed,

It left us likely needing Future Score to win the Lexus, as we did last year with Downdraft, to have a runner in the Cup. It was an agonising watch with Fred Kersley just not being able to get a clear

WINNING RACES IS THE BEST RECIPE FOR THE MELBOURNE CUP. HISTORY WILL TELL YOU THAT HORSES IN FORM HAVE DONE WELL. ON THAT NOTE, I THINK YOU’VE GOT TO GIVE RESPECT TO BOTH THE CAULFIELD CUP WINNER, VERRY ELLEEGANT, AND COX PLATE WINNER, SIR DRAGONET, AS WE HEAD INTO RACE ON TUESDAY.

run and he ended up flying home for third. Sometimes you think what might have been but it was a great effort from the horse who has had a terrific spring. His win, flying over the top to claim the Cranbourne Cup, has been one of the OTI highlights this carnival. Nonetheless it’s shaping up to be a fantastic edition of the Melbourne Cup this year. Make no mistake, this Melbourne Cup is certainly not inferior in quality to recent editions of the race. Winning races is the best recipe for the Melbourne Cup. History will tell you that horses in form have done well. On that note, I think you’ve got to give respect to both the Caulfield

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Quick Thinker

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Cup

Future Score

RACING PHOTOS

be there, to watch your horse in the flesh, go through the mounting yard experience and then to watch the race. The victory for Doriemus in 1995 still emanates within me.

That brings horses like Finche or Anthony

It will certainly be unusual this year with no

Van Dyck into play. It’s pretty hard to separate

crowds on course. I love the build up, the excitement,

the top ten to 12 within five or six betting points

the whole theatre of Melbourne Cup day.

of one another. Those below that I don’t give much of a chance to.

For Derby day we’d usually have a marquee for all our owners, it’s quite the celebration. We

I do, however, keep coming back to horses like Tiger Moth, even Persan, who is a horse up in class but way down in the weights.

ANZ Bloodstock Melbourne Cup supplement 2020

might have a runner in the Derby or the Lexus

THE CAMRADORY, THAT’S PART OF WHAT WE LIKE TO THINK WE DEVELOP AT OTI, IT’S STILL THERE, THROUGH OUR ZOOM CALLS AND INTERACTION WITH OUR OWNERS, BUT I’VE MISSED HAVING THEM THERE, ON TRACK, DURING THE CARNIVAL

and it’s a really fun day. Melbourne Cup Day tends to be a bit more

race. Ciaron Maher and his ownership group -

It’s incredibly exciting, the experience of

serious, maybe that’s just more the nerves

they all paid a fortune for this horse and we all

having a horse race in the Melbourne Cup.

as we try and win the Cup! But we would all

thought they were nuts and, here they are, walking

It’s the epitome of what racing is all about. To

get together, have a drink and share in the

away with the 100th Cox Plate with Sir Dragonet.

experience before the race starts. After the race, on Melbourne Cup night,

interview was full of emotion. These guys wear

we’d have a more casual event. We invite some

it on their sleeve. Let’s face it, Ciaron’s not the

of the jockeys and trainers to come along and

most exuberant guy you’ll find on a race course,

it’s quite low key after a day of high octane

and here he is, having to blurt out words, some

excitement.

made sense, some didn’t.

The camradory, that’s part of what we

If we take away the passion out of our

like to think we develop at OTI, it’s still there,

game, we’re left with a very sterile product that

through our zoom calls and interaction with

pretty much becomes all about gambling. What

our owners, but I’ve missed having them there,

makes racing so good, is the passion from all its

on track, during the carnival.

participants. It adds theatre and emotion; the

However, what’s been great to see this year is the resilience and determination of racing to

GETTY IMAGES

Ciaron is such a character, his post-race

highs, the lows and the euphoria. It’s very hard to get those things in life.

continue through this pandemic, in the broader

We’ll look forward to what will no doubt be

sense. And more specifically, for Melbourne to

a terrific race at Flemington on Tuesday and I’d

be able to produce a top class carnival in what’s

like to pass my thanks to the support from all our

been a very difficult situation.

owners as well as the trainers and their staff for

Above all, the Cox Plate was a sensational

| 13 |

their efforts, in what’s been an extraordinary year.

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The Track

THE TRACK RACE 7 - 3:00PM LEXUS MELBOURNE CUP, 3200M ANDREWâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;S ANALYSIS

TRENDS

This is one of the strongest Melbourne Cups we have

Key trends (courtesy of Racing Post)

seen, something that would have seemed surprising if

Winner of a Group or Graded race, ten winners

suggested earlier in the year. Not one horse lining up at

in last ten runnings (two were Group/Grade 1

Flemington looks out of place, which is a credit to the

winners)

Victoria Racing Club and Racing Victoria, particularly

Had won over at least 2400 metres, 10/10 (only

international manager Paul Bloodworth. TIGER MOTH

two had won over 2m)

has been my selection for months and I still believe

Carried no more than 55 kilograms, 9/10

he is a major contender. However, there is no value in

Top-four finish last time out, 9/10 (three won)

his current price and he does face a task from that gate

Aged four to six, 8/10 (based on southern

as he attempts to become the most unexposed horse

hemisphere ages)

to win the race in almost 140 years. Therefore, it is

Bred outside Australia and New Zealand, 8/10

worthwhile in a race of this depth to look for value and it appears to lie with THE CHOSEN ONE. There are few better conditioners of a stayer than Murray Baker and his co-trainer Andrew Forsman and The Chosen One looks ready to run a bold race on Tuesday. The addition of blinkers brought him to life in the Caulfield Cup and he is drawn to enjoy another soft run. He can spring an upset. Outside the top two, PRINCE OF ARRAN is yet to run a bad race in Australia and his Caulfield Cup run was outstanding. I don't see the draw as a negative as he can race handy; he will just need luck at the right time. Best of the rest is SURPRISE BABY just ahead of Caulfield Cup winner VERRY ELLEEGANT, but the chances don't end there in a fascinating Melbourne Cup.

SPEED MAP 21

TIGER MOTH

PERSAN

ASHRUN

ETAH JAMES

MIAMI BOUND

BACKMARKER 11

SIR DRAGONET

K. OF LEOGRANCE

V. ELLEEGANT

SURPRISE BABY

AVILIUS

OFF MIDFIELD 9

MUSTAJEER

STEEL PRINCE

FINCHE

T. CHOSEN ONE

MIDFIELD 7

WARNING

OCEANEX

S. ALBION

A. VAN DYCK

P. OF ARRAN

| 14 |

T. PAYMENT

V. AND DECLARE

OFF PACE

M. OF REALITY

PACE 3

D. WILLOUGHBY

R. CAMELOT

LEADER 2

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NO LAST 10

HORSE

ANZ Bloodstock Melbourne Cup supplement 2020

TRAINER

JOCKEY

BARRIER

0330x25x12 ANTHONY VAN DYCK (IRE)

Aidan O'Brien

Hugh Bowman

54533x4626 AVILIUS (GB)

James Cummings

John Allen

21x395x900 VOW AND DECLARE

Danny O'Brien

Jamie Mott

57kg

3354x6221x MASTER OF REALITY (IRE)

Joseph O'Brien

Ben Melham

56kg

44x2x222x1 SIR DRAGONET (IRE)

Ciaron Maher & David Eustace Glen Boss

55.5kg

x70x7x2113

TWILIGHT PAYMENT (IRE)

Joseph O'Brien

Jye McNeil

55.5kg

42212x1411

VERRY ELLEEGANT (NZ)

Chris Waller

Mark Zahra

55.5kg

x1225x0098 MUSTAJEER (GB)

Kris Lees

Michael Rodd

55kg

2104xPx72x STRATUM ALBION (GB)

Willie Mullins

Jordan Childs

55kg

14579x1140

Michael Walker

54.5kg

x51257x335 FINCHE (GB)

Chris Waller

James McDonald

54.5kg

20x3x36x34 PRINCE OF ARRAN (GB)

Charlie Fellowes

Jamie Kah

54.5kg

132x415x29 SURPRISE BABY (NZ)

Paul Preusker

Craig Williams

54.5kg

9x211x2x03 KING OF LEOGRANCE (FR)

Danny O'Brien

Damian Lane

53.5kg

2x411x2123

Danny O'Brien

Damien Oliver

53.5kg

x4679x0331 STEEL PRINCE (IRE)

Anthony & Sam Freedman

William Pike

53.5kg

38572x1873 THE CHOSEN ONE (NZ)

M. Baker & A. Forsman

D. Stackhouse

53.5kg

853x5x2241 ASHRUN (FR)

Andreas Wohler

Declan Bates

755633x760 WARNING

Anthony & Sam Freedman

Luke Currie

DASHING WILLOUGHBY (GB) Andrew Balding

RUSSIAN CAMELOT (IRE)

WEIGHT 58.5kg 57kg

53kg 53kg

20 6416341x04 ETAH JAMES (NZ)

Ciaron Maher & David Eustace Billy Egan

52.5kg

Aidan O'Brien

52.5kg

3x12x1

TIGER MOTH (IRE)

Kerrin McEvoy

22 07511x0003 OCEANEX (NZ)

Mick Price & Michael Kent (Jnr) Dean Yendall

51.5kg

23 1x84x40661 MIAMI BOUND (NZ)

Danny O'Brien

Daniel Moor

51kg

24 3121112121

Ciaron Maher & David Eustace Michael Dee

51kg

PERSAN

SELECTIONS

| 15 |

Andrew Hawkins

Steve Moran

#17 The Chosen One

#21 Tiger Moth

#13 Surprise Baby

#12 Prince Of Arran

#18 Ashrun

#13 Surprise Baby

#10 Dashing Willoughby

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1 NO.

FACT BOX

BREEDER: ORPENDALE, CHELSTON & WYNATT OWNER: COOLMORE, TABOR, WYNAUS FOALING DATE: MAY 19, 2016 SOUTHERN HEMISPHERE AGE: 5 WEIGHT: 58.5KG CAREER STATS: 18:6-4-3 WIN/PLACE PERCENTAGES: 33%/72% EARNINGS: $4,090,099 LAST 10 STARTS: 1120330X25X12 DISTANCES WON AT: 1 (1408M), 1 (1426M), 1 (1632M), 1 (2334M), 1 (2400M), 1 (2420M) BIGGEST WIN: THE DERBY (GR 1, 2420M); EPSOM; JUNE 1, 2019 BEST MELBOURNE CUP EFFORT: FIRST ATTEMPT ADJUSTED RACING POST RATING: 132 OPENING ODDS (AUGUST 27): $51 FINAL FIELD ODDS (OCTOBER 31): $10

ANTHONY VA AIDAN Oâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;BRIEN

| 16 |

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JOCKEY: HUGH BOWMAN

BARRIER DRAW: 3

VAN DYCK

(IRE)

Another Melbourne Cup Contender Made In Ireland

Contact Irish Thoroughbred Marketing to find your Irish Champion - www.itm.ie Follow us @anz_news

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PEDIGREE ANALYSIS

nyone

who

once

saw

Believe’n’succeed (Exceed And Excel) flying around Caulfield more than a decade ago would

struggle to believe that she has produced a Melbourne Cup runner. A winner of the Blue Diamond Prelude (Gr 3, 1100m) for fillies in 2008, the Mark Kavanagh-

There was very little to suggest that this

trained Believe’n’succeed ran fourth to Reaan

pedigree could produce a Classic horse.

(Hussonet) in that year’s Blue Diamond Stakes

Believe’n’succeed herself is a sister to two very

(Gr 1, 1200m) but simply appeared too brilliant

speedy stakes winners in Kuroshio and Agulhas.

for 1200 metres.

Third dam November Snow (Storm Cat)

ANDREW’S ASSESSMENT

That notion that the mare would never

was a top filly in the United States, winning

produce a stayer would have been reinforced

out to a mile and a quarter in the Alabama

when her first foal Bounding (Lonhro) developed

Stakes (Gr 1, 10f ) but also having the speed to

into New Zealand’s Champion Sprinter in 2014,

salute over seven furlongs in the Test Stakes

There is no doubt that Anthony Van Dyck

taking out the Railway Stakes (Gr 1, 1200m) and

(Gr 1, 7f ).

produced the run of the Caulfield Cup when charging home to be beaten just a short

finishing second in the Royal Sovereign Stakes (Gr

Nevertheless, there is no doubt that the

2, 1200m), now the Arrowfield 3YO Sprint during

influence of Galileo - the world’s most potent

neck by Verry Elleegant. It has been proven

The Championships in Sydney.

source of stamina - has come to the fore with

time and time again that weight is less of an

Anthony Van Dyck.

impediment in the Caulfield feature.

However, having been sold to Coolmore’s

However, it is a different beast at

Tom Magnier for $1.1 million at the Patinack

That wasn’t a guarantee. The Galileo -

Farm dispersal sale in 2014, held at the

Exceed And Excel cross has produced three

Flemington and, with stamina concerns

Magic Millions complex on the Gold Coast,

winners in addition to Magic Attitude, who

already, it would be quite extraordinary if he

Believe’n’succeed - that one-time ball of speed -

took out this year’s Belmont Oaks (Gr 1, 10f );

was to win here. No horse has carried more

was destined for a date with the world’s premier

her sister Mission Impassible, victorious in the

than 58 kilograms to win the Cup since the

stallion Galileo (Sadler’s Wells).

2018 Prix de Sandringham (Gr 2, 1600m); and

metric system was adopted in 1972, while

Whispering Bell, a winner of a maiden over a

only Rain Lover, Rising Fast, Dalray, Delta,

mile at Windsor.

Comic Court and Phar Lap have carried

Not only did that mating produce a stayer, but it produced what is considered to be the

more weight to victory since Poitrel carried

apogee of thoroughbred racing - an Epsom

It’s fair to say that Anthony Van Dyck has

Derby (Gr 1, 1m 4f ) winner. And in the 18

already surprised by proving so effective at a

10 stone (63.5 kilograms) a century ago.

months since that glorious day at Epsom,

mile and a half, but the extra 800 metres looms

That said, the race is far more tightly

Anthony Van Dyck has continued to prove that

as a concern. Class, however, will take him a

handicapped than it was even 30 years

longer distances are right up his alley.

long way.

ago and so the feat of carrying 58.5 kilograms is not as difficult as it once was. Flemington should suit and a sit-sprint contest plays to his strengths, as wawas seen in the Prix Foy. However, stamina remains a major concern and the final furlong is likely to find him out. He has the class to finish in sight of the winner, however, and with that draw he must be considered.

Galileo

COOLMORE

| 18 |

PREDICTED FINISH: 7TH Brought to you by

THE STORY

talian horseman Federico Tesio once

| 19 |

ANZ Bloodstock Melbourne Cup supplement 2020

juvenile over seven furlongs (1408m), Anthony

Ghaiyyath (Dubawi) and Stradivarius (Sea The

Van Dyck didn’t shape as a likely stayer, but a

Stars), including a defeat of the latter in the

win in the Lingfield Derby Trial (Listed, 1m

Prix Foy (Gr 2, 2400m) in Paris, ensured that he

3.5f ) earned him a berth at Epsom.

was bringing the very best European form to

said: "The Thoroughbred exists because

Relishing the firmer surface as well as

its selection has depended, not on

the testing trip around the unusual Epsom

Stepping out in Australia for the first

Australia.

experts, technicians or zoologists, but

track, he snuck through on the inside to score

time in the Caulfield Cup (Gr 1, 2400m),

on a piece of wood: the winning post of the

by a half-length. Behind him were Group

he produced the run of the race under top-

Epsom Derby. If you base your criteria on

1-winning stablemates Japan (Galileo), Circus

weight, flashing home out wide to just go down

anything else, you will get something else, not

Maximus (Galileo) and Sovereign (Galileo),

to Verry Elleegant (Zed). Without any other

the Thoroughbred."

as well as new Australian import Sir Dragonet

factors considered, it was an ideal Melbourne

(Camelot) - not the strongest Derby, but far

Cup trial.

Whether that remains true or not, the fact an Epsom Derby winner is lining up

from the weakest either.

in a Melbourne Cup speaks volumes to the

However, he has since proven a puzzle that

progression that the race has made since the

the Ballydoyle team has only started to figure

first internationals contested the race in 1993.

out. Good placings in the Irish Champion

Some would say that’s a positive, that the

Stakes (Gr 1, 1m 2f ) and the Breeders’ Cup

Melbourne Cup has become far classier over

Turf (Gr 1, 12f ) in the United States last year

the last three decades; others would argue as

were followed by a dismal effort in the Hong

a handicap, a Derby winner should never be

Kong Vase (Gr 1, 2400m) when he raced too

given a sufficient weight and that it demeans

keenly in blinkers. This season, he has been campaigned to

the premise of the race. A Group 2-winning, Group 1-placed

STEPPING OUT IN AUSTRALIA FOR THE FIRST TIME IN THE CAULFIELD CUP (GR 1, 2400M), HE PRODUCED THE RUN OF THE RACE UNDER TOP-WEIGHT, FLASHING HOME OUT WIDE TO JUST GO DOWN TO VERRY ELLEEGANT (ZED).

peak at the end of the year. His form around

COX PLATE 2020 IRISH-BRED 1-2-3-4 Need we say more? Contact Irish Thoroughbred Marketing to source your Irish Champion

Phone + 353 45 443 000 | Email info@itm.ie | Website www.itm.ie

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2 NO.

FACT BOX

BREEDER: DARLEY OWNER: GODOLPHIN FOALING DATE: MAY 22, 2014 SOUTHERN HEMISPHERE AGE: 7 WEIGHT: 57KG CAREER STATS: 32:11-3-4 WIN/PLACE PERCENTAGES: 34%/56% EARNINGS: $3,430,835 LAST 10 STARTS: 7X54533X4626 DISTANCES WON AT: 3 (1600M), 1 (1800M), 2 (1900M), 3 (2000M), 1 (2400M), 2 (2500M) BIGGEST WIN: TANCRED STAKES (GR 1, 2400M); ROSEHILL; MARCH 30, 2019 BEST MELBOURNE CUP EFFORT: 22ND (2018) ADJUSTED RACING POST RATING: 127 OPENING ODDS (AUGUST 27): $101 FINAL FIELD ODDS (OCTOBER 31): $10

AVILIUS

(GB)

JAMES CUMMINGS

| 20 |

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JOCKEY: JOHN ALLEN

BARRIER DRAW: 10

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PEDIGREE ANALYSIS

vilius represents an all-Darley product, with his third dam Lypatia

(Lyphard)

being

one

of the foundation mares for

Sheikh Mohammed bin Rashid al-Maktoum’s new Godolphin venture when he purchased Gainsborough Stud in 1981. A prolific producer, among Lypatia’s foals

from 1000 metres to 2400 metres and who has

He also appears as the maternal sire of

was top juvenile Lycius (Mr Prospector),

sired stakes winners up to 3000 metres, as well

Caulfield Cup (Gr 1, 2400m) winner Mer De

American Grade 2 winner Akabir (Riverman)

as this year’s Ebor Handicap (1m 6f ) victor

Glace (Rulership), Caulfield Cup runner-up

and the Group 1-placed Tereshkova (Mr

Fujaira Prince.

Eye Popper (Soccer Boy) and Melbourne Cup

Pivotal, who is still in service at Cheveley

Prospector).

runner-up Pop Rock (Helissio).

It was Tereshkova, a Group 3 winner in

Park Stud at the ripe old age of 27 but may be

Perhaps that stamina influence may come

France and one of the first stakes horses to

pensioned before the start of the next breeding

to the fore as he gets his first proper chance at

perform in Dubai, who would foal a number of

season in the UK, doesn’t scream stoutness,

3200 metres.

prolific winners, although none who were able

even if he can produce stayers, but Avilius’

to take a stakes race. One of these, Alessandria

damsire Sunday Silence (Halo) is a prolific

(Sunday Silence),

source of stamina.

Listed winners Well Of Wisdom (Oasis

The 1989 American Horse of the Year, who

Dream) and Army Bulletin (Invincible Spirit)

proved to be a breed-shaper in Japan, is the

have filled out her profile, while the Group

damsire of Tenno Sho (Spring) (Gr 1, 3200m)

1-placed Saint Baudolino (Pivotal) had form

winner Jaguar Mail (Jungle Pocket), Kikuka Sho

around some of the best French horses of his

(Gr 1, 3000m) victor Big Week (Bago), Tokyo

generation.

Yushun (Gr 1, 2400m) hero Duramente (King

However,

Avilius

has

proven

ANDREW’S ASSESSMENT

Kamehameha) and four Japan Cup (Gr 1, 2400m)

It would be easy, on the basis of Avilius’

winners: Almond Eye (Lord Kanaloa), Rose

22nd in 2018, to instantly dismiss him as a

Avilius is a son of sprinter Pivotal (Polar

Kingdom (King Kamehameha), Screen Hero

contender this year.

Falcon), who has produced 32 Group 1 winners

(Grass Wonder) and Admire Moon (End Sweep).

However, everything that could go wrong did

Alessandria’s standout success.

go wrong that day. It’s a run best forgotten. Whether he stays or not is a query and the 57 kilograms doesn’t make his task any easier. Nevertheless, he should have finished closer in the Caulfield Cup with the same weight and his usual genuine effort will see him somewhere in contention. Can he win? It’s unlikely, although not impossible. Can he finish somewhere around the mark? Absolutely. He’s one who is difficult to assess - I couldn’t discourage you if you are a fan, but I’m going to be leaving him out.

Pivotal

CHEVELEY PARK STUD

| 22 |

PREDICTED FINISH: 13TH Brought to you by

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ANZ Bloodstock Melbourne Cup supplement 2020

THE STORY

Since then, he has developed into a threetime Group 1 winner,

o name is more synonymous

a contender after winning his way into the race

taking

with the Melbourne Cup than

by taking the aptly-named The Bart Cummings

Stakes (Gr 1, 2000m),

Cummings.

(Gr 3, 2500m) before finishing fourth to the

the Tancred Stakes

the

Ranvet

Of course, there is the late

mighty mare Winx (Street Cry) in the Cox Plate

(Gr 1, 2400m) and the

Bart Cummings, the 12-time winning trainer

(Gr 1, 2040m). However, he was knocked out

George Main Stakes (Gr 1,

whose dozen victories spanned more than four

of contention early when The Cliffsofmoher

1600m) last year.

decades from 1965 to 2008.

(Galileo) broke down and was unable to

That genuine weight-for-age form sees him

recover, finishing almost 70 lengths behind his

carrying 57 kilograms this year, 2.5 kilograms

ownermate.

more than in 2018.

His father Jim was also a Melbourne Cupwinning handler, preparing Comic Court

He hasn’t won since the George Main in

(Powerscourt) to take the prize in 1950.

September last year, but he has also rarely

So when the name Cummings appears in the form guide, it pays to sit up and take notice. Bart’s grandson and former training partner James will attempt to become the third Cummings to win the great race. He will also be out to give Sheikh Mohammed’s Godolphin operation a second Cup after the Charlie Appleby-trained

Cross

Counter

(Teofilo)

scored in 2018.

HE HASN’T WON SINCE THE GEORGE MAIN IN SEPTEMBER LAST YEAR, BUT HE HAS ALSO RARELY PERFORMED POORLY. IN FACT, HE’S BEEN RATHER HONEST AND GENUINE, EVEN WITHOUT WINNING

performed poorly. In fact, he’s been rather honest and genuine, even without winning. At his last start, he finished well for sixth in the Caulfield Cup after striking trouble in the straight. Avilius will be ridden by John Allen, a former Irish jumps jockey who - seemingly out of nowhere - has developed into one of Australia’s leading big-race riders.

In that year’s Cup, Avilius was considered

Europe’s leading racehorse ownership company

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Great House

Opinion

Group 1 winner $800k in prize money

Libran

Group 2 winner - Group 1 runner-up $1.4m in prize money

Highclere Australia’s new and exciting recruits!

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3 NO.

FACT BOX

BREEDER: PAUL LANSKEY OWNER: MR G CORRIGAN, MR P J LANSKEY, MRS H R HUESTON, MR T C LANSKEY, MR J P LANSKEY, MR K T GOODMAN, MR W R LEITCH, MR A F LANSKEY, MR B T LANSKEY, MR S W R KNIPE, MRS S M CORRIGAN, MR L J LANSKEY, MR S A LIVINGSTONE FOALING DATE: OCTOBER 17, 2015 SOUTHERN HEMISPHERE AGE: 5 WEIGHT: 57KG CAREER STATS: 19:4-3-3 WIN/PLACE PERCENTAGES: 21%/53% EARNINGS: $5,875,930 LAST 10 STARTS: 1X421X395X900 DISTANCES WON AT: 1 (1800M), 1 (2381M), 1 (3000M), 1 (3200M) BIGGEST WIN: MELBOURNE CUP (GR 1, 3200M); FLEMINGTON; NOVEMBER 5, 2019 BEST MELBOURNE CUP EFFORT: WINNER (2019) ADJUSTED RACING POST RATING: 126 OPENING ODDS (AUGUST 27): $26 FINAL FIELD ODDS (OCTOBER 31): $10

VOW AND DE DANNY Oâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;BRIEN

| 24 |

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JOCKEY: JAMIE MOTT

BARRIER DRAW: 4

ECLARE

(AUS)

| 25 |

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PEDIGREE ANALYSIS

s can occasionally be the case in the world of commercial stallion operations, treasure can depart before it has blossomed into

gold.

Such may be the case with Declaration Of War (War Front), Coolmore’s two-time Group 1 winner who served one season at their base

metres, including last year’s Melbourne Cup

Bred by Paul Lanskey, Vow And Declare

in Ireland and four seasons at the operation’s

winner Vow And Declare and Victoria Derby

was offered for sale at the 2017 Inglis Classic

Ashford Stud in Kentucky, while also shuttling

(Gr 1, 2500m) hero Warning in the space of

Yearling Sale in Sydney but was passed in for

to the Hunter Valley for two seasons in 2014 and

three days.

$45,000 off a reserve of $60,000. Retained by

His son Voyage Warrior also looms as one

Lanskey, he has already provided connections

By the end of 2018, Declaration Of War had

of the leading candidates for the Hong Kong

with one Melbourne Cup, earning almost $6

produced two crops of racing age. He had sired

Sprint (Gr 1, 1200m), showcasing the stallion’s

million to date.

a French 2000 Guineas (Gr 1, 1600m) winner

versatility.

2015.

in Olmedo from his first crop in addition to

In Vow And Declare, Declaration Of War

three Group winners and a further six stakes

has his only two-mile stakes winner. Without

victors (including then-Listed winner Vow And

knowing that he had won at 3000 metres and

Declare), but he shaped as a stallion who would

3200 metres last year, it would perhaps seem a

prove tremendously popular in Japan.

bit surprising given he is out of the Testa Rossa

As a result, in October that year, he was leased to the Japan Bloodhorse Breeders’

ANDREW’S ASSESSMENT

(Perugino) mare Geblitzt, whose five wins came at 1400 metres.

Association to stand at their Shizunai Stallion

However, two years before Vow And

It would be an incredible story if Vow

Station on the island of Hokkaido, where he has

Declare, Geblitzt had produced Lycurgus, a son

And Declare were able to fend off the

stood for the past two years and will stand again

of sprinter Star Witness (Starcraft). Lycurgus

Europeans for the second year in a row.

in 2021.

won the Galilee Series Final (Listed, 2400m) as

However, on all available evidence - aside

a three-year-old, eventually scoring four mile

from the fact he’s a track and distance

and a half victories.

winner last year - it’s difficult to make a

Since then, of course, he has produced Group 1 winners from 1600 metres to 3200

case for him to go back-to-back. He’s sure to be improved on his last outing, but nothing he has done in his last five years suggests that he is capable of winning with 52 kilograms, let alone 57 kilograms. Last year, he had the benefit of a good run in the Turnbull Stakes as well as a strong Caulfield Cup performance under him. He was also suited by the way the race was run - it was a case of right place, right time. It is tough to make any sort of case for him on his form this year and, while it would be a great story if it eventuated, he looks one worth risking.

Declaration Of War

KITCHWIN HILLS STUD

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THE STORY

ANZ Bloodstock Melbourne Cup supplement 2020

Flemington on Anzac Day, as well as beating three horses home in each of his last two starts in the Turnbull Stakes (Gr 1, 2000m) and the

or the tenth time in the last 20 years,

- tough at any time but extremely tough when

the reigning Melbourne Cup winner

you enter in the lacklustre form in which he

returns to defend his crown.

finds himself.

Caulfield Cup (Gr 1, 2400m). Perhaps his story is best reflected in the fact that few jockeys wanted to commit to the ride in

Since Makybe Diva’s (Desert

Aside from his good first-up run in the

King) threepeat in 2003, 2004 and 2005, only

autumn when third in the Australian Cup (Gr

one defending champion has filled the top four

1, 2000m), he has simply not looked the same

Earlier this year, Mott was on the sidelines

a year on, that being Americain (Dynaformer),

horse in five runs since. These include a defeat

having suffered extensive fractures to his right

fourth in 2011.

as an odds-on favourite over 2600 metres at

tibia and fibula, as well as a secondary fracture weeks later.

to-back that the list of those to have achieved (Latin Lover), Think Big (Sobig) and Makybe Diva - is rattled off by any racing enthusiast in a heartbeat. (Of course, Peter Pan (Pantheon) also won two Melbourne Cups but he won them in non-consecutive years.) However, for Vow And Declare, his task looks difficult for a number of reasons. Having carried 52 kilograms last year, he

Enter Jamie Mott.

to his left fibula that wasn’t discovered until

It is also rare enough for a horse to go backthe feat - Archer (William Tell), Rain Lover

case they could get a better opportunity.

EARLIER THIS YEAR, MOTT WAS ON THE SIDELINES HAVING SUFFERED EXTENSIVE FRACTURES TO HIS RIGHT TIBIA AND FIBULA, AS WELL AS A SECONDARY FRACTURE TO HIS LEFT FIBULA THAT WASN’T DISCOVERED UNTIL WEEKS LATER.

The 32-year-old is one of Victoria’s most reliable riders but he hasn’t had that many opportunities to showcase his talents. He has ridden on the flat as well as over jumps, with his biggest win coming in the Australian Hurdle (3400m) in 2016. Mott has had only one Melbourne Cup ride previously: Winchester (Theatrical), who finished 17th in 2012.

now finds himself saddled with 57 kilograms

Experience all the thrills of racehorse ownership with Australia’s two-time The Everest winning syndicator!

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BREEDER: MARCH THOROUGHBREDS OWNER: LLOYD J WILLIAMS SYNDICATE FOALING DATE: APRIL 1, 2015 SOUTHERN HEMISPHERE AGE: 6 WEIGHT: 56KG CAREER STATS: 17:4-3-2 WIN/PLACE PERCENTAGES: 24%/53% EARNINGS: $691,100 LAST 10 STARTS: 143354X6221 DISTANCES WON AT: 2 (2400M), 2 (2816M) BIGGEST WIN: VINTAGE CROP STAKES (GR 3, 2816M); THE CURRAGH; APRIL 28, 2019 BEST MELBOURNE CUP EFFORT: 4TH (2019) ADJUSTED RACING POST RATING: 132 OPENING ODDS (AUGUST 27): $51 FINAL FIELD ODDS (OCTOBER 31): $10

MASTER OF R JOSEPH Oâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;BRIEN

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JOCKEY: BEN MELHAM

BARRIER DRAW: 11

REALITY

(IRE)

Another Melbourne Cup Contender Made In Ireland

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PEDIGREE ANALYSIS

o horse in the history of thoroughbred racing has been rated as highly as Frankel (Galileo).

Quite

simply,

figures, he is the greatest horse to have graced the turf. It is not a unanimous verdict and racing is, by its nature, a subjective game, but most

Retired

owner

Khalid

Abdullah’s

reasonable observers believe that he is as good

Banstead Manor Stud for the 2013 season

as it gets.

and producing his first crop in 2014, he has

A winner of all 14 of his starts, his win in the

produced 11 Group 1 winners from his first five

Queen Anne Stakes (Gr 1, 1m) at Royal Ascot

crops, ranging from milers to a Prix du Cadran

in 2012 is considered the greatest of them all. It

(Gr 1, 1400m) winner in Call The Wind.

was one of ten Group 1 wins that he recorded

ANDREW’S ASSESSMENT

Not among those 11 is Master Of Reality,

(approximately

whose best win is at Group 3 level but who

1400 metres) and a mile and two furlongs

has been placed at Group 1 level - including,

Last year, Master Of Reality had

(approximately 2000 metres).

initially, in last year’s Melbourne Cup, until he

everything in his favour, even if it didn’t

was relegated due to interference.

look that way pre-race.

between

seven

furlongs

The tenth named foal out of multiple Group 1 placegetter L’Ancresse (Darshaan), he

Frankie Dettori shot him for home early in

is a three-quarter brother to Listed-winning

the straight - and it almost paid off.

stayer Chamonix (Galileo), while another half-

This year, it is unlikely that he will get a

brother, Point Of Principle (Rip Van Winkle), is

similar race shape to suit. Even if he does,

an Graded-performed hurdler.

he will need to prove that last year’s effort

Remarkably, three close relatives to Master

COOLMORE

In his favour is that he meets Vow And

Cup: his “nephew” Magic Circle (Makfi), 16th in

Declare 4.5 kilograms better at the

2018; Honolulu (Montjeu), 21st in 2008; and US

weights compared to last year, while he

Army Ranger (Galileo), 18th in 2017.

also meets Surprise Baby (0.5 kilograms),

Chosen One (1 kilogram) better as well.

mainstays emerging from the family.

However, his form this year also appears questionable and he’s likely to be overbet simply on the basis of last year’s run. All things considered, he may be worth

welve months ago, Master Of

fitness. While he may have looked a shadow of

Reality - an Ascot Gold Cup (Gr

his old self at his first three runs, he looked back

1, 2m 4f ) placegetter whose best

to his best when taking the Her Majesty’s Plate

win had come in the Vintage Crop

(Listed, 1m 6f ) at Down Royal, just outside

in the Melbourne Cup by a head, having looked the winner for much of the straight.

Steel Prince (0.5 kilograms) and The

also with class, with a number of Coolmore

THE STORY Stakes (Gr 3, 1m 6f ) at Navan - finished second

was not just one right out of the box.

Of Reality have also contested the Melbourne

It is a pedigree laden with stamina but Frankel

Ridden handy on a very slow tempo,

Belfast in Northern Ireland, last time out. That said, it was a race he should have won comfortably on exposed form.

However, he was relegated to fourth after

The stable has suggested that, as opposed

stewards determined that rider Frankie Dettori

to stablemate Twilight Payment (Teofilo) who

had shifted ground and caused interference.

PREDICTED FINISH: 12TH

risking this time around.

to come to hand. For young master Joseph O’Brien, son of Aidan, it would be a second Melbourne Cup after Rekindling (High Chaparral) gave him a win at his first attempt.

raced in Saudi Arabia in February, the extended

It would also be poetic justice for Ben

This year, Master Of Reality has improved

layoff due to Ireland’s Covid-19 shutdown

Melham, who finished second in Rekindling’s

with every run, having taken time to find

meant that Master Of Reality had taken longer

Cup aboard Johannes Vermeer (Galileo).

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Wednesday & Saturday in ANZ Bloodstock

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Saturday, September 28, 2019

STEVE MORAN It’s a case of Feehan versus Craiglee in Sunday’s Underwood

BY STEVE MORAN | @STEVEM_MORAN

f recent history is any guide, then Western Australian galloper Gatting faces a monumental task to repeat his Eastern seaboard debut in the Group 1

Maybe Diva (Craiglee) Stakes win in tomorrow’s Group 1 Underwood Stakes at Caulfield. Saturday, September 28, 2019 | Dedicated to the Australiasian bloodstock industry - subscribe for free: Click here

Not only does the son of Hard Spun have

READ TODAY'S STEVE MORAN COLUMN - PAGE 11

to defy the usually huge odds against longshot

Nature Strip puts winnersin repeating, he’d become just the third horse in to 30 years to complete the double; 25 blistering display have tried and only Weekend Hussler (2008) win Moir Stakes and Northerly (2002) have been successful.

Monday, September 30, 2019 | Dedicated to the Australiasian bloodstock industry - subscribe for free: Click here

Read Tomorrow's Issue For:

Stakes results and reports

DIRECT TO YOUR INBOX EVERY MORNING

Smith rejuvenates veteran Black Heart Bart to win second Underwood

What's On:

Stakes races: Rosehill (NSW) - Golden Rose

Stakes (Gr 1, 1400m), Golden Pendant (Gr The son of Nicconi adds second elite level race to his CV 2, 1400m), Shannon Stakes (Gr 2, 1500m), with impressive victory at The Valley Furthermore, none the past Craiglee Gloaming Stakesten (Gr 3, 1800m), Colin

Read Tomorrow's Issue For: Stallion Watch What's on

Stephen Quality (Gr 3, 2400m), Heritage

Stakes winners has managed to(Listed, win1100m) another race Stakes - Mornington (VIC)

Race meetings: Leeton (NSW), Tamworth (NSW), Geelong (VIC), Northam (WA)

Longshot retiree upsets favourite Homesman in Caulfield Group 1

- R.M. Ansett Classic (Listed, 2400m) -

during the spring which is Belmont verily(WA) dumbfounding - Birthday Stakes

Sales: Fasig-Tipton Midlantic Fall Yearling Sale - Day 1

(Listed, 1200m)

and must cast some doubt over its Group 1 status Metropolitan meetings: Rosehill (NSW),

LATEST NEWS FROM THIS WEEKENDS RACING

Doomben (QLD), Morphettville (SA) in a Melbourne carnival which, ridiculously, has Race meetings: Gunnedah (NSW), Grange (NSW), Mornington (VIC), six Group 1 races from 1600 Kembla metres to 2040 metres Gold Coast (QLD), Longreach (QLD),

Nature Strip

the past ten years] to have had an immediate

Cheveley Park— Stakes (Gr 1,been 6f ) - Santaa Anita — won this year by Homesman has

in The Chosen One — who looks the principal

Caviar in the Group 1 Lightning Stakes and then

Chandelier (Gr 1, 8.5f ), Rodeo Drive much better portent of things toStakes come through

danger to Homesman.

went on to win a brace of Group 1 races.

(NZ), New Plymouth (NZ) (UK) - Middle Park Stakes (Gr 1, 6f ),

SPORTPIX

Dunn gets job done on Renewal BY LYDIA SYMONDS | @ANZ_NEWS

and was asked by the horse’s owners to attempt

BY TIM ROWE | @ANZ_NEWS

indsey

Smith

has

to resurrect the nine-year-old gelding’s career. pulled

off

Smith conceded that he was not overly

a remarkable training feat by

confident that Black Heart Bart would make

managing

it back to the races until an encouraging

rejuvenate

the

once retired Black Heart Bart

(Blackfriars) to win his sixth Group 1 race and second Underwood Stakes (1800m) - three years on from his first victory in the Caulfield

Cranbourne barrier trial effort last month. "Before he trialled I started to doubt, but then he trialled well," Smith said.

Western Australian Smith took over the Heart Bart’s disqualified trainer Darren Weir

Club Gold Cup Stakes (Gr 1, 10f ), Vosburgh

Ridden by James McDonald, Nature Strip

Stakes (Gr 1, 6f ) Six of the past ten Feehan winners have

began well from the inside barrier and was able to hold the inside advantage to eventually lead.

The trackagain record holder over the course won in the coming weeks. The exceptions

and distance from last year's McEwen Stakes

include Rekindled Interest and Whobegotyou,

(Gr 2, 1000m) Nature Strip kicked strongly

around the turn and was able to hold off a

who were later placed in Cox Plates, and Magic

gallant Miss Leonidas (I Am Invincible) by a

Continued on page 2>>

short neck.

Consol who didn’t race again that year.

right grade I can keep him progressing along. Follow us @anz_news: click here We won't aim too high I don't think at this stage. And I think if we come back this time next year we're going to have a bona fide Group Nature Strip puts in blistering display to win Moir Stakes 1 horse." Morning Briefing page 12 >>

(Gr 1, 9f ) - Belmont Park (US) - Jockey the balance of the spring carnival.

million sprint.

YESTERDAY'S the Melbourne way of going,” GollanSTAKES said. "I RACE RESULTS FROM | MOONEE VALLEY | PAGE 13

the 1800 metres would be good as he wouldn't be chasing all the time. "It's a good result." Continued on page 2>>

Stakes (Gr 1, 10f ), Awesome Again Stakes

1 horse with an impressive win in the $1

Trust In A Gust and Stratum Star are the only Rupert Clarke winners, in the past ten

impressive than you might think. Examining

years, to score again that spring - taking the

the two major races at Caulfield last Saturday is

Group 1 Toorak Handicap and Group 3 Coongy

interesting.

Handicap respectively.

Begood Toya Mother was a fast and

1 Caulfield Cup and December Draw who won

spelled. Moment Of Change, a low weighted he looks a superior horse in 2019. something on as well and got a bit back from last start when apparently I

the Group 1 Turnbull Stakes before failing in

"So I think it's a good reward to everybody and I hope the punters had

everything wrong." Rupert Clarke winner like Begood Toya Mother, Murray didBaker and Andrew Forsman won Waller hopes Nature Strip secures a spot in the $14 million Everest at

Fellow Warrnambool-trained veteran Gailo Chop (Deporvito) ($26) was one and a half lengths away in third. The Blackfriars (Danehill) gelding ran eighth first-up in the Memsie Stakes (Gr 1, 1400m) behind his new stablemate Scales Of Justice (Not A Single Doubt), before running 11th in last week’s Sir Rupert Clarke Stakes (Gr 1, 1400m) behind Begood Toya Mother (Myboycharlie). "Even though those two runs might have looked a bit plain, he was warming up and I've been happy with him," jockey Brad Rawiller said. "Today, the whole way through the run I was thinking 'geez, we're going to be in this'."

Lindsey Smith and Brad Rawiller

It was Black Heart Bart’s first win since the 2017 Futurity Stakes (Gr 1, 1400m). He was retired by Weir and his owners almost 12 months ago

SPORTPIX Chris Waller, Trainer

"It's just amazing. I can't put it into words. Since coming back from my

after finishing well back in last year’s Toorak Handicap (Gr 1, 1600m).

broken neck it's been a long road.

An emotional Rawiller, the long-time rider of Black Heart Bart, was

will represent the Melbourne Racing Club in the $14 million sprint a week

later. Follow us @anz_news: click here

with him than we ever got with

"I don't think 1200 metres is a problem," Waller said. "I'd say we'll just

another certain horse [Winx] who was probably our last Group

see what unfolds in the next few days. If he doesn't get an invite for The

1 winner here.

Everest I guess the Schillaci Stakes is the logical choice."

"That's racing, everyone has

Meanwhile, trainer Shaun Dwyer said Miss Leonidas ran a great race

got their opinions. He's a good

while Sunlight's co-trainer Tony McEvoy could not hide his delight over

horse and today he stepped away

the mare's performance.

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McEvoy said he would run Sunlight the Gilgai Stakes at Flemington,

well. James didn't panic he just

two weeks before The Everest at Randwick.

got there gradually and it was a

"I'm pumped," McEvoy said. "I feel like I've won the race.

good race. "You

the Caulfield Cup.

Randwick on October 19 and the gelding will now head to the Schillaci Stakes (Gr 2, 1100m) at Caulfield on October 12 - the winner of that race

"He's a popular horse," Waller joked. "We seem to get more criticism

year's winner, the $2.50 favourite Homesman (War Front), to win by a

decade; Jameka who went on to win the Group

Begood Toya Mother is now expected to be

Waller admitted after the race that the horse gets a lot of negative

short neck.

Group

subsequent springtime winners in the past

him with some unexpected cover.

Monday, September 2019 attention, but this30, win might put a stop to the bad press.

HE'S A GOOD HORSE AND TODAY HE STEPPED AWAY WELL, AND IT WAS A GOOD RACE

weekend’s

Naturalism Stakes has produced just two

albeit with a “fired up” Iconoclasm providing

Saturday, September 28, 2019

McEwen Stakes winner Faatinah (Nicconi) another short-head further

|2|

Black Heart Bart ($101) held off last

last

spectacular winner of the Rupert Clarke Stakes

|2|

back in fourth. Smith rejuvenates veteran Black Heart Bart to win second Underwood

<< Continued from page 1

Similarly,

Four of the past five Underwood Stakes of course, Homesman who won last year after

finishing second in the Moonee Valley race and

Everest-bound filly Sunlight (Zoustar) <<toContinued from page 1 Brought you by closed strongly late to finish the same distance away in third with Ian

|1|

The follow-up form of major race winners is something of a fascination and generally less

Brought toincluding, you by |1| winners have come via the Feehan

think it's important if I can just keep him in his

"His first race was good and then his second run was plain, but we thought getting him up to

feature. Warrnambool stables once owned by Black

(US) - American Pharoah Stakes (Gr 1, 8.5f ),

However, he showed he is a bona fide Group

Wayne Hawkes believes the key to Renewal’s ature Strip (Nicconi) staked his Listed win was Dwayne Dunn not panicking claim for a potential shot at The despite being last and a long way off the leader Everest (1200m) when silencing Zoustyle. "He had a terrible run in transit but his doubters with an impressive the biggest thing was Dwayne didn't panic," victory in the AJ Moir Stakes (Gr 1, 1000m) at Hawkes said. "He just saved it to the last little The Valley last night. bit and he hit the line well." Zoustyle’s trainer The Chris Waller-trained gelding Tony Gollan was ruing the fact that his smart harboured plenty of criticism after his last sprinter missed the stakes win by such a narrow start in the Concorde Stakes (Gr 3, 1000m) margin. "It's a big learning curve for him. It's his when he failed to settle on the front end. first trip away and this was his first time racing

is the only victor in recent memory [certainly in break and he returned to run second to Black

COVERAGE FROM YESTERDAY’S RACING AT THE VALLEY MORNING BRIEFING

SPORTPIX

the 2017 Underwood with four-year-old mare Bonneval [who’d won the Feehan] and they

Toowoomba (QLD), Belmont (WA), Ellerslie

International Group 1 races: Newmarket In contrast, the Group 2 Feehan Stakes

Black Heart Bart

Gatting

saddle another four-year-old, this time male,

in about as many weeks.

think

punters

"The risk was the 1000 meters tonight and that's all that cost her the

get

race."

frustrated, well owning a horse

Passed in for $90,000 (reserve $120,000) at the 2016 Inglis Melbourne

and training a horse when you're

Premier Yearling Sale, Nature Strip (5 g Nicconi - Strikeline by Desert Sun)

running in these types of races, it's a bitter pill to take when you

took his record to 11 wins and two placings from 18 starts for prize-money

don't quite get it right.

of $1,879,285.

Continued on page 3>>

"At the end of the day I haven't had much to look forward to as far as

delighted to see the gelding return to Group 1 winning form.

rides for the spring and Black Heart Bart was always just my sole focus.

It also capped Rawiller’s own comeback from a broken neck which

"I've been really happy with how he has been coming along.

almost ended his career, having been kept on the sidelines for nearly six

"Last week after the Sir Rupert Clarke Stakes when I was asked about

months after being seriously injured last October.

him, I said 'he lit the fire today'. But you've still got to see it.

"I've won a Golden Slipper and a Caulfield Cup and I never looked like

"I'm still overwhelmed myself, to be honest, even though I thought he

getting teary, and I'm nearly in tears," he said.

could win today."

ANZ – export as HiRes PDF, no crops/bleeds

Continued on page 4>>

TIMEFORM TOP 4YOS:

BART’S BACK!

APP & PAGE TURNER

BLACK HEART BART

Blackfriars-Sister Theresa

1 ARCADIA QUEEN (Pierro) 121

TIMEFORM TOP 5YOS: 1 PIERATA (Pierro)

MRC UNDERWOOD STAKES G1 $20,000 2012 MAGIC MILLIONS PERTH YEARLING SALE Vendor: Lakeside Thoroughbreds | Buyer: Kim Renner Earnings: $4,467,950 Owners: K Renner, C Delacy, Mrs D Richardson, Michael Kirwan, John Kennedy, Colm Santry, Paddy Oman, Tom Moore or Rob Archibald Tel: 02 6576 4200. A Psaltis & I Mccarthy | Trainer: Lindsey Smith

CONGRATULATIONS TO ALL CONNECTIONS

126

Already 16 Stakes winners from his ﬁrst two crops including: Pierata (Gr.1), Arcadia Queen (Gr.1), Levendi (Gr.1), Pinot (Gr.1), Furore (Gr.1-HK), Action (Gr.2), Regal Power (Gr.2), Rock (Gr.3) etc.

SOLD YEARLINGS IN 2019 00 FOR UP TO $1,100,0 NZ: Gordon Calder Tel:+64 218 41612. www.coolmore.com

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BREEDER: ORPENDALE, WYNATT & CHELSTON OWNER: A KHEIR, P MEHRTEN, J A O'NEILL, T R MADDERN, TWO HOOVES, V KHEIR, CARTY RACING, MAD K RACING, BROMFIELD PARK PTY LTD, B F SOKOLSKI, S A LEWIN, R E WILSON, N A GREENHALGH, C H MADDEN, B A SECATORE, MRS R T SECATORE, D F DEGENHARDT, WERRETT BLOODSTOCK PTY LTD, A J WILLOUGHBY & B D NETTLEFOLD FOALING DATE: FEBRUARY 9, 2016 SOUTHERN HEMISPHERE AGE: 5 WEIGHT: 55.5KG CAREER STATS: 10:3-4-0 WIN/PLACE PERCENTAGES: 30%/70% EARNINGS: $3,641,570 LAST 10 STARTS: 11544X2X222X1 DISTANCES WON AT: 1 (2040M), 1 (2458M), 1 (2505M) BIGGEST WIN: COX PLATE (GR 1, 2040M); MOONEE VALLEY; OCTOBER 24, 2020 BEST MELBOURNE CUP EFFORT: FIRST ATTEMPT ADJUSTED RACING POST RATING: 137 OPENING ODDS (AUGUST 27): $26 FINAL FIELD ODDS (OCTOBER 31): $10

SIR DRAGON CIARON MAHER AND DAVID EUSTACE

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JOCKEY: GLEN BOSS

BARRIER DRAW: 14

NET

(IRE)

Another Melbourne Cup Contender Made In Ireland

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PEDIGREE ANALYSIS

our-time Group 1 winner Camelot (Montjeu), winner of the EnglishIrish

Derby

double,

the

2000

Guineas (Gr 1, 1m) and the Racing

Post Trophy (Gr 1, 1m), has emerged as a stallion of prominence down under over the last 12 months. The Coolmore stallion, who only shuttled to Australia once in 2014, has had - since Cox

hero in Russian Camelot and this year’s Cox

Sir Dragonet’s younger brother Sir Lucan remains in training with Coolmore, while

Plate winner Sir Dragonet.

Plate day last year - a Moonee Valley Cup (Gr 2,

Bred by Coolmore, Sir Dragonet has

Sparrow has a yearling colt by Commonwealth

2500m) winner in Hunting Horn, a Lexus (Gr 2,

one of the most impressive pedigrees

Cup (Gr 1, 6f ) winner Caravaggio (Scat

2500m) victor in Downdraft, three Melbourne

imaginable. He is the first foal to race out of

Daddy).

Cup runners, an Adelaide Cup conqueror in

stakes-placed filly Sparrow (Oasis Dream),

King Of Leogrance, a South Australian Derby

who herself is a daughter of Epsom Oaks (Gr 1, 1m 4f ) runner-up All Too Beautiful

SIR DRAGONET’S YOUNGER BROTHER SIR LUCAN REMAINS IN TRAINING WITH COOLMORE, WHILE SPARROW HAS A YEARLING COLT BY COMMONWEALTH CUP (GR 1, 6F) WINNER CARAVAGGIO (SCAT DADDY).

(Sadler’s Wells). All Too Beautiful is a sister to the world’s leading stallion Galileo and a half-sister to champion colt Sea The Stars (Cape Cross), all

ANDREW’S ASSESSMENT

three being out of Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe (Gr 1, 2400m) heroine Urban Sea. It is one of the leading families on the planet and it makes Sir

Until the rain fell on Cox Plate day, I

Dragonet highly desirable as a potential stallion

personally felt that the Melbourne Cup

one day.

would be a more suitable race for Sir Dragonet than the Cox Plate. He looked the type who would be able to carry his stamina over an Australian two miles (which is generally softer than a European two miles), but who would also be able to sprint strongly at the end as well. His form in the UK and Ireland was strong and he was consistent with a decent profile for Australia, so it was no surprise that he performed in the Cox Plate. The Cox Plate win was a cherry on top and he still gets in with a decent weight in the Melbourne Cup. There are few better big-race riders than Glen Boss and the Maher-Eustace partnership is at the top of their game. He’s a major player and with even luck he will be right in the finish.

Ciaron Maher and Sir Dragonet

COOLMORE

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PREDICTED FINISH: 8TH Brought to you by

| 35 |

THE STORY

While he is suited on softer ground, there’s no reason to think he can’t produce on top of the ground either.

or the first time in a decade, a

He performed satisfactorily when fourth in

Cox Plate winner will line up at

the St Leger (Gr 1, 1m 6.5f ) last year, while he

Flemington.

was beaten less than a length behind Anthony

In fact, in the last 25 years,

Van Dyck when favourite in last year’s Epsom

only three Cox Plate victors have run in the

Derby (Gr 1, 1m 4f ). Both were on good to firm

Melbourne Cup for two winners - Saintly (Sky

surfaces.

Chase) in 1996 and Makybe Diva (Desert King)

Australia’s leading training partnership,

in 2005 - and a third with So You Think (High

Ciaron Maher and David Eustace, will be out

Chaparral) in 2010.

to add a first Melbourne Cup to their record,

Sir Dragonet will join that illustrious group

ANZ Bloodstock Melbourne Cup supplement 2020

HAVING GARNERED SOMETHING OF A REPUTATION AS A NON-WINNER IN THE UK AND IRELAND AFTER GOING WINLESS FOR 18 MONTHS, HE SHED THAT TAG IN EMPHATIC STYLE IN THE COX PLATE.

13 years after Maher first came to prominence when winning the Emirates Stakes (Gr 1,

on Tuesday. Having garnered something of a reputation

1600m) with outsider Tears I Cry (Lacryma

as a non-winner in the UK and Ireland after

Cristi) during the Melbourne Cup Carnival in

going winless for 18 months, he shed that tag in

2007.

emphatic style in the Cox Plate.

Glen Boss will attempt to join a small

Suited by the deluge that struck Moonee

group of riders to win four Melbourne Cups,

Valley, he looked at home in conditions similar

but remarkably he will be trying to achieve

to his eight-length Chester Vase (Gr 3, 1m

the feat on only his second horse, having

4.5f ) romp in May last year. So it proved as he

partnered Makybe Diva to all three of her Cup

produced a dominant Cox Plate win.

wins.

Ciaron Maher and David Eustace

GETTY IMAGES

Patented stall system New robust & assertive design

Contact Luis VERBEECK +61 406 900 097 info@theault.com.au

Double door in Sport (or shortened) position with opened anti-weave grills Double door in Stud (or extended) position with closed anti-weave grills Door in stud (or extended) position with closed anti-weave grills / Door in Sport (or shortened) position with open anti-weave grills Large stall for mare and foal

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6 NO.

FACT BOX

BREEDER: JIM BOLGER OWNER: LLOYD J WILLIAMS FOALING DATE: MAY 6, 2013 SOUTHERN HEMISPHERE AGE: 8 WEIGHT: 55.5KG CAREER STATS: 30:7-10-6 WIN/PLACE PERCENTAGES: 23%/77% EARNINGS: $858,071 LAST 10 STARTS: 41170X7X2113 DISTANCES WON AT: 1 (2414M), 5 (2816M), 1 (3218M) BIGGEST WIN: CURRAGH CUP (GR 2, 2816M); THE CURRAGH; JULY 18, 2020 BEST MELBOURNE CUP EFFORT: 11TH (2019) ADJUSTED RACING POST RATING: 133 OPENING ODDS (AUGUST 27): $51 FINAL FIELD ODDS (OCTOBER 31): $10

TWILIGHT PA JOSEPH Oâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;BRIEN

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JOCKEY: JYE MCNEIL

BARRIER DRAW: 12

AYMENT

(IRE)

Another Melbourne Cup Contender Made In Ireland

Contact Irish Thoroughbred Marketing to find your Irish Champion - www.itm.ie Follow us @anz_news

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PEDIGREE ANALYSIS

ne of Ireland’s greatest ever horsemen, Jim Bolger, is making his mark as a breeder after preparing a number of leading

lights on the turf. Bolger prepared Teofilo (Galileo) in his incredibly brief and unbeaten career, in which he was Europe’s champion two-year-

placegetter Bandiuc Eile, by another of Bolger’s

de l’Arc de Triomphe (Gr 1, 2400m) winner,

old with two Group 1 wins before he was

former trainees in New Approach (Galileo).

produced another Arc winner in Carnegie

Second dam My Renee (Kris S) was

(Sadler’s Wells), while the extended family also

In 2011, he acquired two-time winner at a

champion older female stayer in Ireland in

includes the Cup’s most influential sire of the

mile, Dream On Buddy (Oasis Dream), from

2004, wining two Listed races and being placed

last three decades, Zabeel (Sir Tristram).

the Tattersalls December Mares Sale with the

at Group 3 level. She produced two-time Group

Twilight Payment was owned and trained

intention of sending her to his old charge.

2 winner and Group 1 placegetter Banimpire

by Bolger until acquired by Lloyd Williams and

(Holy Roman Emperor) among five winners.

transferred to Joseph O’Brien in July, 2019.

retired to stud.

That 2012 mating produced, in May, 2013, the foal that would become Twilight Payment,

Fourth dam Detroit (Riverman), French

while she has since produced Group 2

Horse of the Year in 1980 and that year’s Prix

ANDREW’S ASSESSMENT If Twilight Payment had entered last year’s Melbourne Cup in the sort of form he arrives in this year, he would have been considered a leading contender. To a point, he seems to be the forgotten horse this year. Perhaps it is because he’s been here Teofilo

THE STORY

DARLEY

before and he’s finished midfield in a favourable race shape, or perhaps it is

for an eight-length win over Master Of Reality in

because he’s that sort of unassuming

the Curragh Cup (Gr 2, 1m 6f ).

horse.

Last time out, he finished third in the Irish

Rider Jye McNeil is a positive, because he

It is rare that you will see a horse produce

St Leger (Gr 1, 1m 6f ) behind two-time winner

has been riding brilliantly, and he should

his best as a seven-year-old. However, Twilight

Search For A Song (Galileo) and impressive

get into a favourable enough position

Payment fits that bill after a career-best season

Ebor Handicap winner Fujaira Prince (Pivotal).

from gate 12.

in 2020.

Lloyd Williams is the winningmost owner

However, it is hard to see him troubling

After a fair run in the inaugural Longines

in Melbourne Cup history with six wins to his

some of the classier types at the weights.

Turf Handicap (3000m) in Riyadh in February,

name, with one of those in combination with

He’s a place chance at best, but it is hard

he has found his best in Ireland this term.

young trainer Joseph O’Brien.

to see him emerging victorious.

Finishing second first-up to new Australian

For rider Jye McNeil, though, it is a first

import Nickajack Cave (Kendargent) in the

Melbourne Cup ride, with the 25-year-old

Saval Beg Stakes (Listed, 1m 6f ), he progressed

in the enviable position of having ridden a

off that to win the Vintage Crop Stakes (Gr 3, 1m

number of these horses in the lead-up to this

6f ) by two and a half lengths before racing clear

year’s race.

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PREDICTED FINISH: 11TH Brought to you by

race of leGENDS

In a year unlike any other due to the Covid-19 pandemic, the 2020 MELBOURNE CUP is something of an outlier. While the raceday itself has been affected with crowds locked out of Flemington, the quality of the field that has been assembled for Australia's most famous race is as strong as ever. A mere handicap in the eyes of some, the Melbourne Cup has become one of the world's most beloved races, a 3200-metre test that requires speed, stamina, class, timing and luck. In 200 seconds, it is all over, a new name etched into the record books, another jockey, trainer and horse able to claim that most ubiquitous of titles: "Melbourne Cup winner". Put together by Australia's most eminent Melbourne Cup enthusiast Andrew Hawkins and the team at ANZ Bloodstock News, this one-stop Melbourne Cup guide gives you all the information you need to find the winner of the race that stops the nation. In addition, the ANZ team have compiled a number of features to complement this year's preview. This year features the first Epsom Derby winner to tackle a Melbourne Cup in Anthony Van Dyck, a new milestone in the race's evolution since the first international runners contested the two-mile contest in 1993. Tommy Churchyard speaks with two of that year's trail-blazers: trainer Dermot Weld, who prepared Vintage Crop for a historic victory, and rider Frankie Dettori, whose ninth on Drum Taps began an enduring quest to take the Melbourne Cup which remains unfulfilled after 17 attempts. Steve Moran also chats to trainer Mike Moroney, two decades after he took the 2000 Melbourne Cup with Brew. Enjoy the 2020 Melbourne Cup as the race of legends writes another chapter.

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7 NO.

FACT BOX

BREEDER: DON GOODWIN OWNER: JOMARA BLOODSTOCK LTD, ELLEE, BALMERINO RACING PARTNERSHIP, MR M WANZARE, MR T K BARRY, MR B F SOKOLSKI, MR A KHEIR, MR K M STOCKER, HONEYCOMB STUD, MR J A O'NEILL, MR V KHEIR FOALING DATE: OCTOBER 12, 2015 SOUTHERN HEMISPHERE AGE: 5 WEIGHT: 55.5KG CAREER STATS: 24:11-5-1 WIN/PLACE PERCENTAGES: 46%/71% EARNINGS: $6,896,044 LAST 10 STARTS: 0X42212X1411 DISTANCES WON AT: 3 (1400M), 1 (1500M), 3 (2000M), 3 (2400M) BIGGEST WIN: CAULFIELD CUP (GR 1, 2400M); CAULFIELD; OCTOBER 17, 2020 BEST MELBOURNE CUP EFFORT: FIRST ATTEMPT ADJUSTED RACING POST RATING: 131 OPENING ODDS (AUGUST 27): $13 FINAL FIELD ODDS (OCTOBER 31): $10

VERRY ELLEE CHRIS WALLER

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JOCKEY: MARK ZAHRA

BARRIER DRAW: 15

EGANT

(NZ)

NZ Breds have won 45 Melbourne Cups

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PEDIGREE ANALYSIS

cursory glance by the untrained eye would have suggested there was very little in Verry Elleegant’s pedigree to indicate she would

flourish into the champion mare she has become. By Zed (Zabeel), a well-bred but lightlyraced horse whose best victory was in a

Eight Carat is considered one of the

get a mare with so much quality in their genes

1600-metre maiden and who was banished

Australasian industry’s all-time great breed-

it just gets transmitted, and for a number of

to serve Clydesdales before he revived his

shapers; unplaced on the racetrack, her impact

generations, and Eight Carat is one such mare.”

reputation as a stallion of thoroughbreds, Very

has come in the breeding barn where she has

For a mare of humble beginnings, she is

Elleegant is out of Opulence (Danroad), a

been the starting point for an incredible dynasty

NZ$5,000 yearling from the 2007 New Zealand

spanning three decades.

Bloodstock Autumn Mixed Bloodstock Sale and

Not only is she Verry Elleegant’s fifth dam

a winner of two lowly middle-distance races at

on her maternal side, but Eight Carat also

Dargaville and Tauranga.

appears as Zed’s fourth dam, meaning that

When Verry Elleegant was foaled in 2015, the only black-type winner in her family was

Verry Elleegant is bred on a 5x5 cross of the

steeped in royalty.

ANDREW’S ASSESSMENT

champion broodmare.

found three generations back in Cranbourne

“It’s one of the most interesting bloodlines

Cup (Listed, 2025m) victor Starmon (Monolith).

in the Australian Stud Book,” the Stud Book’s

If anyone had said straight after the 2018

However, it is when you get back to her

former keeper, Michael Ford, told Trevor

VRC Oaks that Verry Elleegant would

fourth dam Cotehele House (My Swanee) and

Marshallsea for his weekly It’s In The Blood

one day line up as a leading Melbourne

her fifth dam, the incomparable Eight Carat

feature in ANZ Bloodstock News. “It’s rare to

Cup contender, it would have appeared

(Pieces Of Eight), that the magic starts to appear,

have half-sisters as great-grandmothers, and

impossible. She refused to settle, she did

something that her breeder Don Goodwin had

I can’t recall any horse with Eight Carat on

too much wrong and she looked like she’d

long been trying to achieve.

both sides like this. Every now and then you

be another potential talent consigned to the “what might have been” basket. However, with education and experience, she has managed to harness her immense talent - already apparent then - and she has developed into one of the best thoroughbreds in training in Australia. The Melbourne Cup is another task entirely. She will need an even tempo in which she can settle, she will need a race shape that suits her and she will need a healthy dose of luck. There are a lot of variables that need to fall the right way, but in the end, her talent ensures that she must be considered. A mare of her class, especially in the form she is in this spring, simply can’t be overlooked.

Verry Elleegant

GETTY IMAGES

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PREDICTED FINISH: 5TH Brought to you by

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THE STORY

ANZ Bloodstock Melbourne Cup supplement 2020

a mare ever, gave her a sixth Group 1 victory, adding to her victories in the Vinery Stud Stakes

(Gr 1, 2000m), Australian Oaks (Gr 1, 2400m),

It was especially in vogue in the 1990s, with

three-year-old days, she has thrived. Never

Let’s Elope (Nassipour) in 1991, Doriemus

was that more apparent than in her runaway

(Norman Pentaquad) in 1995, Might And

Tancred win in March.

he Caulfield Cup-Melbourne Cup

Tancred Stakes (Gr 1, 2400m), Winx Stakes (Gr

double is the most highly sought

1, 1400m) and Turnbull Stakes (Gr 1, 2000m).

race-to-race pairing in Australia, having been completed 11 times.

Power (Zabeel) in 1997 and Ethereal (Rhythm) in 2001 all completing the double. However, since Ethereal, 13 Caulfield Cup winners have lined up at Flemington 17 days

The notable thing about her career is that, every time she has got up in trip since her late

It has been quite the turnaround from the headstrong filly who refused to settle and appeared incapable of furnishing into a stayer

Chris Waller

SPORTPIX

just two years ago.

after their Caulfield success; none have placed.

Verry Elleegant will be out to give Sydney’s

Elvstroem (Danehill), fourth in 2004, was the

leading trainer Chris Waller and top Melbourne

best performer of the bunch.

rider Mark Zahra a first Melbourne Cup.

Verry Elleegant will attempt to break the 19-

Waller, who has been one of the revelations of

year drought when she lines up at Flemington

the past decade and who has become a household

next Tuesday.

name in Australia thanks to champion mare

Her tenacious Caulfield Cup win, defeating

Winx, would be a popular Cup winner, although

Epsom Derby winner Anthony Van Dyck while

he is likely to be stuck in Sydney watching his

carrying the second-highest winning weight for

latest star mare go for glory.

New Zhongli foals!

Hit The Shot

Written Tycoon ex Karavali colt

2nd Group 1 VRC Derby

VERRY ELLEEGANT WILL BE OUT TO GIVE SYDNEY’S LEADING TRAINER CHRIS WALLER AND TOP MELBOURNE RIDER MARK ZAHRA A FIRST MELBOURNE CUP

Magic Millions 2YOs in Training Sale Lot 179 Zoustar ex I’m a Flying Star colt

Lot 203 Nicconi ex Life’s Zurprise colt Trapeze Artist ex Buleburry Hill filly

Zhongli Racing Operation

Zhongli Breeding Operation Zhongli Bloodstock Operation

Quality is our focus Follow us @anz_news

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| 44 |

8 NO.

FACT BOX

BREEDER: SHADWELL ESTATE COMPANY LIMITED OWNER: AUSTRALIAN BLOODSTOCK, MR C C PICKFORD, MR M D SKINNER, POWER THOROUGHBREDS, MR B A WATKINS, MR A I GRANT-TAYLOR, HELP SYNDICATE, PEPGAFF & MCKHENDO, MR D J SEARLE, MR S S ROTH, MR J W WOODBRIDGE, SYZYGY, MR B J FRANCIS, MR T O MURPHY, MR C G LASNICK, MR A W ROHDE, TERRACE NO 3, MUSTAJEER, RANGE PARK FOALING DATE: APRIL 17, 2013 SOUTHERN HEMISPHERE AGE: 8 WEIGHT: 55KG CAREER STATS: 29:5-5-3 WIN/PLACE PERCENTAGES: 17%/45% EARNINGS: $1,965,726 LAST 10 STARTS: 60X1225X0098 DISTANCES WON AT: 1 (1600M), 1 (1900M), 1 (2000M), 1 (2414M), 1 (2787M) BIGGEST WIN: EBOR HANDICAP (2787M); YORK; AUGUST 24, 2019 BEST MELBOURNE CUP EFFORT: 23RD (2019) ADJUSTED RACING POST RATING: 133 OPENING ODDS (AUGUST 27): $51 FINAL FIELD ODDS (OCTOBER 31): $10

MUSTAJEER

(

KRIS LEES

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JOCKEY: MICHAEL RODD

BARRIER DRAW: 2

(GB) Follow us @anz_news

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PEDIGREE ANALYSIS

ery

little

about

Mustajeer’s

pedigree screams two-miler. His sire, the late Medicean

(Machiavellian),

never

raced

beyond a mile and two furlongs, winning the Eclipse Stakes (Gr 1, 1m 2f ) at that trip in 2001. He was at his most effective at a mile. At stud, he has produced only one stakes-

influence that apparently gives Mustajeer his

winners in Seattle, Nationhood (Cherokee Run)

winning 3200-metre horse, Araldo Junior. He

stamina, with the American stallion having

and Karis Makaw (Charismatic), while another

has had only one Group winner at 2400 metres

produced

foal Irtahal (Swain) - Mustajeer’s second dam -

and beyond in British Champions Fillies and

Americain; his other two Melbourne Cup

Mares Stakes (Gr 2, 1m 4f ) heroine Sapphire,

runners, Willing Foe and Almoonqith, finished

although both that race and the Champions &

fifth and sixth respectively.

Chater Cup (Listed, 2400m) won by Mr Medici are now Group 1 races. Dam Qelaan (Dynaformer) was a moderate

Delve

2010

further

Melbourne

back

into

Cup

winner

was stakes-placed in the UK.

Mustajeer’s

pedigree and, a few generations back, class abounds.

performer, although she did win a Class 5 mile

Fourth dam Gold Beauty (Mr Prospector)

and a half handicap at Folkestone by 12 lengths.

was American champion sprinter in 1982 and

However, it is the Dynaformer (Roberto)

produced one of the fastest horses the world

ANDREW’S ASSESSMENT

has seen, 1990 English and French Horse of

HIS SIRE, THE LATE MEDICEAN (MACHIAVELLIAN), NEVER RACED BEYOND A MILE AND TWO FURLONGS, WINNING THE ECLIPSE STAKES (GR 1, 1M 2F) AT THAT TRIP IN 2001. HE WAS AT HIS MOST EFFECTIVE AT A MILE

the Year Dayjur (Danzig). She also produced

If Mustajeer were stepping out at a

versatile two-time Grade 1 winner Maplejinsky

mile and a half again, I’d think he was

(Nijinsky), whose foals included 1994 American

a serious contender given the trend of

champion older mare and nine-time Grade 1

his campaign. He’s finding form at just

winner Sky Beauty (Blushing Groom).

the right time and his Caulfield Cup run

That makes Mustajeer’s third dam Elhasna

was by far the best performance of his

(Danzig) a sister to Dayjur, although her value

preparation.

in the breeding barn ensured that she only

However, his two runs at two miles as

stepped out on the racetrack three times.

well as his generally lacklustre spring

Elhasna produced two sprinter-miler stakes

are negatives that fail to inspire any confidence in his chances in this year’s Melbourne Cup. The Kris Lees and Michael Rodd combination is a plus; Lees is one of the best trainers of stayers in the country, while Rodd can judge a staying contest like few other riders. In a year in which a case can be made for so many horses, Mustajeer quite simply ends up near the bottom of my rankings by default. He’s the type who could fill a top ten spot, but he looks one to comfortably oppose in the exotics.

Mustajeer

SPORTPX

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PREDICTED FINISH: 16TH Brought to you by

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THE STORY

quickening, so the fact he weakened out is no

Stakes (Gr 3, 2000m) and the Tancred Stakes

surprise.

(Gr 1, 2400m).

A positive for Mustajeer is that four of the six

ustajeer arrived in Australia

Ebor winners to finish in the top five produced

last year as a winner of

their best Melbourne Cup performance in a

Europe’s richest handicap,

different year to their York win.

the Ebor (1m 6f ) at York.

ANZ Bloodstock Melbourne Cup supplement 2020

However, his second run at 3200 metres

This spring, he looked a shadow of his former self in his first three runs in Sydney. However, getting onto a softer track at Caulfield, he produced the best run of his campaign in the Caulfield Cup, storming home

An Ebor winner is yet to win the Melbourne

suggests that the trip is beyond his best. In

Cup but victors like Quick Ransom (Hostage),

April’s Sydney Cup, he settled beautifully

That may seem subpar, but it was a

Give The Slip (Slip Anchor), Hugs Dancer

and the way that he was travelling as the field

significant step up on what he had shown in

(Cadeaux Genereux), Purple Moon (Galileo),

approached the rise at Randwick, you would

recent months. It suggests that he is finding

Willing Foe (Dynaformer) and Heartbreak City

have thought he was the winner.

form at the right time.

to finish eighth.

(Lando) have all finished top five at Flemington,

He did strike trouble when short of room

A Mustajeer victory would provide shrewd

while All The Good (Diesis) won the Caulfield

between his stablemate Raheen House (Sea

Newcastle trainer Kris Lees with his first Cup

Cup.

The Stars) and the weakening Young Rascal

winner; his Group 1-winning mare Lucia

After a strong Caulfield Cup run, Mustajeer

(Intello), but a case could also be made that he

Valentina (Savabeel) provided him with his best

was fancied to join that group, but instead, he

wasn’t travelling well enough to take the gap

result when 13th in 2014.

weakened to finish 23rd.

either.

It would be a second Cup success for jockey

In the end, he boxed on to finish fifth.

Michael Rodd, who steered Efficient (Zabeel)

shape that didn’t suit. He was three-deep with

It was a disappointing end to a promising

to victory in 2007. Rodd, who was based in

cover but was asked to make a swooping run

autumn that saw him win the Parramatta Cup

Singapore for five years, returned to Melbourne

around the outside, improving quickly at the

(Listed, 2000m) first-up before producing two

earlier this year after Covid-19 brought racing

1000 metres at a time when the speed was

good runner-up performances in the Sky High

in the Lion City to a halt.

He struggled after a tough run in a race

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9 NO.

FACT BOX

BREEDER: AL ASAYL BLOODSTOCK LTD OWNER: TONY BLOOM FOALING DATE: FEBRUARY 19, 2013 SOUTHERN HEMISPHERE AGE: 8 WEIGHT: 55KG CAREER STATS: 29:6-8-2 WIN/PLACE PERCENTAGES: 21%/55% EARNINGS: $642,372 LAST 10 STARTS: 0912104XPX72 DISTANCES WON AT: 1 (2012M), 1 (3277M), 1 (3300M), 1 (3319M), 1 (3420M), 1 (3621M) BIGGEST WIN: CESAREWITCH HANDICAP (3621M); NEWMARKET; OCTOBER 12, 2019 BEST MELBOURNE CUP EFFORT: FIRST ATTEMPT ADJUSTED RACING POST RATING: 134 OPENING ODDS (AUGUST 27): $34 FINAL FIELD ODDS (OCTOBER 31): $10

STRATUM AL WILLIE MULLINS

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JOCKEY: JORDAN CHILDS

BARRIER DRAW: 9

LBION

(GB)

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PEDIGREE ANALYSIS

dive

into

Stratum

Albion’s

pedigree would not be complete without a primer on the Aga Khan, the spiritual leader of the Ismailis.

It might seem strange to link the Melbourne

Cup with a branch of Shiite Islam, but the Aga Khan is a crucial player in thoroughbred breeding, as he has been for six decades. The current Aga Khan - the fourth to hold

dormant for generations before once again

(Gr 2, 5f) victor Godfrey Street (Compton Place)

appearing out of nowhere.

through to the dour Sword Fighter (Galileo), winner of the Curragh Cup (Gr 1, 1m 6f).

the title - is the 83-year-old Prince Shah Karim

In the case of Stratum, his second dam

al-Husayni. Since 1960, he has operated

Taraya (Doyoun) was an Aga Khan-bred filly

On his sire’s side, Dansili (Danehill) has

the largest racing and breeding operation

who did not race. She twice changed hands

proven to be a versatile stallion, producing

in France out of his Aiglemont estate, near

before ending up with Arctic Tack Stud, who

a juvenile Group 1 winner at six furlongs in

Chantilly.

sent her to Galileo (Sadler’s Wells).

Zoffany through to a Sydney Cup (Gr 1, 3200m)

The Aga Khan’s thoroughbred families are prized and are known for their inherent quality. It is often said that these bloodlines can lay

The resulting foal was Lunar Phase, dam of Stratum Albion. Taraya traces back to a long line of Aga Khan horses. Her dam Tarwiya (Dominion) was twice Group 1-placed and has started of dynasty of

IN THE CASE OF STRATUM, HIS SECOND DAM TARAYA (DOYOUN) WAS AN AGA KHAN-BRED FILLY WHO DID NOT RACE. SHE TWICE CHANGED HANDS BEFORE ENDING UP WITH ARCTIC TACK STUD, WHO SENT HER TO GALILEO (SADLER’S WELLS).

victor in Grand Marshal.

her own, while her fourth dam Tonnera (Wild Risk) - Stratum Albion’s seventh dam - is one of

ANDREW’S ASSESSMENT

the Aga Khan’s foundation mares. For Stratum Albion, the question isn’t stamina - it is speed. Does he have enough

When weights were first released by

speed to figure?

Greg Carpenter and the team at Racing

Lunar Phase was a winner at a mile, but

Victoria, Stratum Albion appeared to be

throughout the family there is a potent mix

the most harshly-weighted horse in the

of speed and stamina, from Prix Morny (Gr 1,

race.

1200m) winner Arcano and Flying Childers Stakes

Even now, it does look a fair impost for a horse who has had only one run in a stakes race on the flat, even if he did finish second. However, handicaps in the UK - unlike in Australia - can’t carry black-type status, so the Cesarewitch win deserves more respect than it would get from a bare look at the form. If it is a stamina test, he will come to the fore and he is capable of finishing in the placings, much like his stablemate Max Dynamite did with a similar profile. However, in a race that is likely to be a sitsprint and with so much class around him this year, he is one to oppose.

Dansili

JUDDMONTE

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PREDICTED FINISH: 24TH Brought to you by

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THE STORY

tratum Albion will race under that

ANZ Bloodstock Melbourne Cup supplement 2020

there was a Golden Slipper Stakes (Gr 1, 1200m)

This year, Stratum Albion has run in hurdles

winner of the same name in 2005, with that

at the Cheltenham Festival in England and the

Stratum (Redoute’s Choice) going on to sire

Galway Festival in Ireland. However, it was his

seven Group 1 winners.

last-start second in the Lonsdale Cup (Gr 2,

name for the first time in Melbourne,

While there was little chance that both

2m) behind the now-retired mare Enbihaar

having competed as Stratum for his

would be confused - and it’s a far cry from the

(Redoute’s Choice) that confirmed his spot on

entire career abroad.

1867 Melbourne Cup when two horses named

the flight to Melbourne.

The name change was necessary because

Mullins will be aiming to win the Melbourne

Tim Whiffler stepped out - custom dictates a change in moniker.

Cup with his eighth runner, having finished

Owner Tony Bloom, who is also the owner

in the placings twice with Max Dynamite

and chairman of English Premier League club

(Great Journey). Simenon (Marju) was his best

Brighton & Hove Albion, added Albion to

performer otherwise, finishing fourth in 2013. For rider Jordan Childs, it will mark his

Stratum’s name as a nod to his pride and joy.

Jordan Childs

SPORTPIX

Like many of trainer Willie Mullins’ horses,

third ride in the race, having finished 18th on

Stratum Albion has developed into quite the

Sound (Lando) in 2018 before Surprise Baby

dual-purpose performer.

(Shocking) arguably should have won last year.

A winner of two hurdles at Galway and

Childs will be aiming to give his family

Ballinrobe, he won one of England’s premier

a first Melbourne Cup; his father Greg, the

staying handicaps, the Cesarewitch (2m 2f ) at

regular partner of champions Sunline (Desert

Newmarket last year. The first Irish winner of

Sun) and Northerly (Serheed), rode in the race

the Melbourne Cup, Vintage Crop (Rousillon),

on 15 occasions but could only finish in the

also won the Cesarewitch in 1992 before taking

placings once, aboard Mr Brooker (Our Best

the Cup in 1993.

Friend) in 1990.

A Hug e T hank You! The Team at OTI and ou r owners w breeders

and agents ish to than – indeed al l those supp k our trainers, their st aff liers who ha ve helped to , jockeys, vets, transp ort provider keep our sp It would be s, ort as close an to ‘business placed in ev understatement to call as ery jurisdic the 2020 ra tion that w to enjoy ex ould have bu cing year challenging. ceptional st Unforeseen ck andards of hu service from led many. Yet despite the challeng rdles have been those we re Our trainers es, OTI has ly upon to and their st race. continued aff in both guidelines hemispheres to keep CO VID-19 ou have done requiremen t of racing. an in ts. To enab credible job This has ap le m themselves to uphold go plied to bo in quarantin ovement of horses, m vernment th in-stable any stable st e facilities fo and on-cou aff and jock r 2 weeks to rse health eys have ha get their jo Our domes d to ‘impris b done whi tic and inte on’ le ensuring rnational tr environmen guidelines ansport supp t that challe were met. liers have be nged their work. They en forced to ability to su have been su pply and ut deal with a perb. ilise the valu dynamic re gulatory able resour In an enviro ces required nment whe for their re vendors buying, sale co uldn’t para s companies de th ha the massive change in m ve had to quickly adop eir stock and buyers co t untested te odus operan uldn’t see w hat they wer chnologies di, we have to match bo been able to e One could th parties. D buy and sell go on. How espite ever the up with confide have been ab shot of this nc e. le to contin is that thro ue to enjoy worked with ugh their de what we love us, thank yo dication, O – racing an u sincerely TI and its ra d of course for your eff cing partne , winning!! orts this pa rs, To those w st year. ho have Terr normal’.

y Henders on, the Tea m at OTI and our Ow ners

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10 NO.

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BREEDER: MEON VALLEY STUD OWNER: SIR OWEN GLENN, MICK AND JANICE MARISCOTTI FOALING DATE: APRIL 28, 2016 SOUTHERN HEMISPHERE AGE: 5 WEIGHT: 54.5KG CAREER STATS: 14:4-2-1 WIN/PLACE PERCENTAGES: 29%/50% EARNINGS: $387,346 LAST 10 STARTS: 314579X1140 DISTANCES WON AT: 1 (1739M), 1 (2414M), 1 (2847M), 1 (3264M) BIGGEST WIN: QUEENâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;S VASE (GR 2, 2847M); ASCOT; JUNE 19, 2019 BEST MELBOURNE CUP EFFORT: FIRST ATTEMPT ADJUSTED RACING POST RATING: 136 OPENING ODDS (AUGUST 27): $26 FINAL FIELD ODDS (OCTOBER 31): $10

DASHING WIL ANDREW BALDING

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JOCKEY: MICHAEL WALKER

BARRIER DRAW: 19

LLOUGHBY

(GB)

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PEDIGREE ANALYSIS

n a year in which Nathaniel’s (Galileo) flagbearer, two-time Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe (Gr 1, 2400m) winner Enable, was retired, it would perhaps be fitting if

the Newsells Park Stud resident produced a new headline act with a Melbourne Cup winner. In fact, Nathaniel has two Melbourne Cup runners this year in Dashing Willoughby and Steel Prince.

Second dam Dash To The Front (Diktat)

(Dylan Thomas), a four-time winner, has

won the Warwickshire Oaks (Listed, 1100m)

produced two foals to race, with Dashing Willoughby the only one to greet the judge.

Nathaniel himself was sharp enough to

and produced two-time Group 1 winner Speedy

finish a half-length second to Frankel over a

Boarding (Shamardal), while Dash To The Front

Offered by Meon Valley Stud at Book

mile but stout enough to win the King George

is a half-sister to Group 1 placegetter Dash To

1 of the 2017 Tattersalls October Yearling

VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes (Gr 1, 1m 4f )

The Top (Montjeu), dam of Epsom Oaks (Gr 1,

Sale, he was purchased by trainer Andrew

comfortably, and at stud, he is showing that

1m 4f ) heroine Anapurna (Frankel).

Balding for 70,000 guineas (approximately

same versatility. Dashing Willoughby comes from a family that has been able to produce classy middledistance horses.

THE STORY

Even further back, fourth dam Milligram

$135,400).

(Mill Reef ) won the Queen Elizabeth II Stakes (Gr 1, 1m) at Ascot. Dashing Willoughby’s dam Miss Dashwood

Balding has his first Melbourne Cup runner here, having fallen short with Caulfield

ANDREW’S ASSESSMENT

Cup fourth Duretto (Manduro) and Herbert

also had trouble putting it all together.

internationalisation coming full circle, too,

Melbourne Cup.

ong considered a promising horse

Power fifth Lord Van Percy (Sir Percy). He is

by trainer Andrew Balding, stepping

a noted traveller of horses and should not be

Even with excuses, it is difficult for

out in the Racing Post Trophy (Gr 1,

underestimated, even if he is training the horse

any horse to turn around form within

1m) at just his third start, he had all

from afar.

two weeks in the way that Dashing

the talent in the world as a three-year-old but

would

case

the

Cup’s

Willoughby needs to do if he is to win the

Winner of the Queen’s Vase (Gr 2, 1m 6f )

with Balding’s maternal uncle being Lord

It is for that reason that I had Dashing

at Royal Ascot last year, he mixed his form

Huntingdon, who - along with Dermot Weld

Willoughby last on most of my initial lists

throughout his three-year-old campaign and

- made the first raid on the Melbourne Cup in

that I compiled for this feature.

was gelded after failing in his final two runs.

1993.

I do think he will be better suited in the Melbourne Cup and I think that he may

Returning two stone lighter after the

For rider Michael Walker, he takes his sixth

Covid-19 shutdown in the UK, he won his

ride in the Cup, having finished in the placings

be able to push forward here, especially if

first two races straight off the bat, taking the

on three occasions. He was third on Criterion

he jumps away well.

Buckhounds Stakes (Listed, 1m 4f ) and the

(Sebring) in 2015, also for Dashing Willoughby’s

If the real Dashing Willoughby turns up,

Henry II Stakes (Gr 3, 2m).

owner Sir Owen Glenn, while he has ridden

he is probably a place chance. He will

Prince Of Arran (Shirocco) the last two years.

likely beat a few horses home regardless.

Coming to Australia having been purchased

However, on what he did at Caulfield,

by New Zealand businessman Sir Owen Glenn, he was something of a street-corner tip in the Caulfield Cup. However, he knuckled at the start and was beaten at the 800-metre mark, dropping back to finish last, beaten 27 lengths. The stable is confident the soreness that he sustained there is behind him, but it will require a monumental turnaround for him to

THE STABLE IS CONFIDENT THE SORENESS THAT HE SUSTAINED THERE IS BEHIND HIM, BUT IT WILL REQUIRE A MONUMENTAL TURNAROUND FOR HIM TO PREVAIL HERE.

prevail here.

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it is impossible to support him with any confidence and, as a result, he is one to oppose.

PREDICTED FINISH: 17TH Brought to you by

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11 NO.

FACT BOX

BREEDER: JUDDMONTE FARMS LTD OWNER: MR K ABDULLAH, GRAND PARKVIEW STUD, MR N A GREENHALGH, MRS M T GREENHALGH, MR M PHILLIPS, MRS L PHILLIPS, WERRETT BLOODSTOCK PTY LTD, MYSTERY DOWNS, MRS C M COOK, MAGIC BLOODSTOCK RACING, MR A M SHEAD, MR A KHEIR, MR S QUINN, MR B F SOKOLSKI FOALING DATE: FEBRUARY 22, 2014 SOUTHERN HEMISPHERE AGE: 7 WEIGHT: 54.5KG CAREER STATS: 18:4-1-5 WIN/PLACE PERCENTAGES: 22%/56% EARNINGS: $1,295,266 LAST 10 STARTS: 34X51257X335 DISTANCES WON AT: 1 (1600M), 2 (2000M), 1 (2500M) BIGGEST WIN: KINGSTON TOWN STAKES (GR 3, 2000M); RANDWICK; SEPTEMBER 21, 2019 BEST MELBOURNE CUP EFFORT: 4TH (2018) ADJUSTED RACING POST RATING: 131 OPENING ODDS (AUGUST 27): $51 FINAL FIELD ODDS (OCTOBER 31): $10

FINCHE

(GB)

CHRIS WALLER

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JOCKEY; JAMES MCDONALD

BARRIER DRAW: 6

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PEDIGREE ANALYSIS

ike the Aga Khan, Khalid Abdullah’s influence on global thoroughbred breeding is momentous and his families have been developed over

many decades. The horses that are emerging from his Juddmonte operation these days are the result of almost half a century of mating decisions and fine-tuned cultivation of his

foundation mare Rockfest (Stage Door Johnny)

he is a proven stayer, belying his pedigree to

stock.

on his sire’s side.

date.

Such is the case with Finche, who descends

By the best horse to carry the Juddmonte

Also in his family is Short Pause (Sadler’s

from Juddmonte Farms foundation mare

green and pink, Frankel (Galileo), Finche is out

Wells), who finished 14th in 2006, while Cox

Peace (Klairon) on his dam’s side and another

of the twice-raced Binche (Woodman), who has

Plate runner-up Armory (Galileo) also makes

found her calling in the breeding barn.

an appearance.

BY THE BEST HORSE TO CARRY THE JUDDMONTE GREEN AND PINK, FRANKEL (GALILEO), FINCHE IS OUT OF THE TWICERACED BINCHE (WOODMAN), WHO HAS FOUND HER CALLING IN THE BREEDING BARN.

In addition to Finche, the mare has produced four-time American Grade 1 winner Proviso (Dansili) and Prince Of Wales’s Stakes (Gr 1, 1m 2f ) hero Byword (Peintre Celebre). Second dam Binary (Rainbow Quest) was a Listed winner for Juddmonte, while third dam

ANDREW’S ASSESSMENT

Balabina (Nijinsky) was stakes-placed. It is not a pedigree that screams stamina. If anything, on his pedigree, one would expect

Finche is such a hard horse to assess,

him to thrive at a mile to 2000 metres. However,

because he’s the type who is almost certain to be in the finish but he is also an unlikely winner. He rarely runs a poor race, but the fact remains that he is only a one-time winner in Australia. Initially, I had him ranked 12th, because there were others I thought were winning chances. That was silly, though, as he has more of a chance than most horses in the race, even with his poor strike rate. He has done nothing wrong this preparation and, from gate six, he should have every chance. James McDonald is one of the country’s top riders for a reason and a Melbourne Cup will almost certainly appear on his resume before his career is out. He can win, but he’s at the lower end of the winning chances. However, as a top ten hope, he is almost a certainty.

Frankel

JUDDMONTE

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THE STORY

ANZ Bloodstock Melbourne Cup supplement 2020

now been based in Australia for two years with

legged aboard Finche. It is a consolation

Chris Waller.

mount, of sorts, with McDonald’s regular ride

In that time, he has only won once, taking

Verry Elleegant to be partnered by Mark Zahra;

or the third year in a row, Finche will

the Kingston Town Stakes (Gr 3, 2000m) last

he has taken to the plate on the mare at her last

line up as one of the favourites for

year. However, he has never run poorly either

two Melbourne starts due to Covid-19, with

the Melbourne Cup, having finished

and has built a remarkable reputation for

McDonald based in Sydney.

fourth in 2018 and seventh in 2019.

consistency.

The former French-based chestnut, who

This year, Finche will head to the Melbourne

was a two-time stakes winner pre-import, has

Cup at the fourth run of his campaign, unlike last year when he was fifth-up. He has performed well at each start this

FINCHE IS ONE OF TWO RUNNERS FOR TRAINER CHRIS WALLER, WHO IS LOOKING FOR HIS FIRST MELBOURNE CUP, WHILE HE PROVIDES JAMES MCDONALD WITH HIS SEVENTH RIDE IN THE RACE; HIS BEST FINISH WAS IN 2012 WHEN SECOND ABOARD FIORENTE (MONSUN).

time in, finishing third in both the Chelmsford Stakes (Gr 2, 1600m) and the Turnbull Stakes (Gr 1, 2000m) before sticking on solidly for fifth in the Caulfield Cup, despite finding trouble. Finche is one of two runners for trainer Chris Waller, who is looking for his first Melbourne Cup, while he provides James McDonald with his seventh ride in the race; his best finish was in 2012 when second aboard Fiorente (Monsun). Even though McDonald often rides for Waller, this will be the first time he has been

James Mcdonald

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BREEDER: RABBAH BLOODSTOCK LIMITED OWNER: SAEED BEL OBAIDA FOALING DATE: MARCH 28, 2013 SOUTHERN HEMISPHERE AGE: 8 WEIGHT: 54.5KG CAREER STATS: 44:6-8-8 WIN/PLACE PERCENTAGES: 14%/50% EARNINGS: $3,117,440 LAST 10 STARTS: 32120X3X3634 DISTANCES WON AT: 1 (1609M), 1 (2212M), 1 (2400M), 1 (2414M), 1 (2500M), 1 (3200M) BIGGEST WIN: GEELONG CUP (GR 3, 2400M); GEELONG; OCTOBER 23, 2019 BEST MELBOURNE CUP EFFORT: 2ND (2019) ADJUSTED RACING POST RATING: 134 OPENING ODDS (AUGUST 27): $51 FINAL FIELD ODDS (OCTOBER 31): $10

PRINCE OF A CHARLIE FELLOWES

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JOCKEY: JAMIE KAH

BARRIER DRAW: 1

ARRAN

(GB)

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PEDIGREE ANALYSIS

ver the last decade, German stallion Monsun (Königsstuhl) has been one of the great stories of the Melbourne Cup.

Unfortunately, it has all come in the eight years since his death in 2012. The Gestüt Schlenderhan stallion has had only five individual runners in the Cup, but

sprinter in Greece, showing just how much luck

as well as Australian Group 1 placegetter

three of them - Fiorente, Protectionist and

is involved in the racing and breeding game.

I’m Imposing (Danehill Dancer) and a

She has since produced two further stakes

Almandin - took home the prize. Now, it is up to his sire sons to continue his

Stakes (Gr 3, 1m) at Santa Anita, and Makawee

legacy down under. Despite

sons

placegetters: Souter, third in the American

Manduro,

Maxios,

Novellist and Fiorente himself performing at

(Farhh), second in the Lancashire Oaks (Gr 2,

Of War (Okawango). On both sides, Prince Of Arran has a pedigree befitting a Melbourne Cup winner.

1m 4f ) at Haydock.

stud, only Shirocco has had a Melbourne Cup

Second dam Sueboog (Darshaan) was one

runner. In fact, he has had three - while Brown

of the best fillies of her generation and also

Panther and Ibicenco didn’t perform, Prince Of

produced Group 1 winner Best Of The Bests

Arran has endeared himself to the Australian

(Machiavellian).

public with two placings from two attempts.

Melbourne Cup-winning sire in Declaration

Further back in the family are Queen

Prince Of Arran is the third foal out of

Elizabeth Stakes (Gr 1, 2000m) winner

Storming Sioux (Storming Home). Her first

Reliable Man (Dalakhani), who has a runner

foal to race, Dromcus (Teofilo), is a lowly-rated

himself in this year’s Cup with Miami Bound,

ANDREW’S ASSESSMENT Prince Of Arran is one of the most popular Brits to land in Australia since Princess Diana’s visits in the 1980s and 1990s (although three-time runner-up Red Cadeaux may just have his nose in front in that race). In fact, he’s essentially been adopted as an Aussie, something which Australians are prone to do ( just ask the Kiwis!). He is sure to be popular with racing fans and punters, but the question is, can he win? Of course he can. The stars seem to be aligning for him and he looks as well suited this year as ever. Coming into this at his second run in Australia, a pattern that has seen him victorious each of the last two years in the Lexus and the Geelong Cup, may just prove the key that allows him to find that little bit extra that he needs to score. He’s one of the premier contenders,

PREDICTED FINISH: 3RD

certain to look the winner at some stage. Prince Of Arran

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THE STORY

ANZ Bloodstock Melbourne Cup supplement 2020

More rare is the ability to win as an eight-

lengths behind Verry Elleegant. It suggests that,

year-old, which has only been achieved twice

once again, he is on song for the Melbourne

(although as a northern hemisphere-bred

Cup.

horse, he is six months younger than that pair).

For the first time in three Australian

affable Charlie Fellowes, will have

The first was in 1865 when Toryboy

campaigns, he enters the Melbourne Cup at his

to achieve two rare feats if he is to

(Wollaton) won the fifth Cup, while it wasn’t

second Melbourne start, which should prove

finally take home the Melbourne

until 1938 when Catalogue (Lord Quex) joined

more suitable.

rince Of Arran, trained by the

the old boys’ club.

Cup.

Rider Jamie Kah takes her first Melbourne

Firstly, he will have to be the first horse

What is quite extraordinary about Prince Of

Cup mount, coming hot on the heels of winning

since Empire Rose (Sir Tristram) in 1988 to win

Arran’s career is that he remains a maiden on

four races on Cox Plate day. She would be just

the Melbourne Cup for the first time at his third

the turf in his home country, the UK, with his

the second female rider, after Michelle Payne,

attempt. Empire Rose finished fifth in 1986

best performance a second in the Sagaro Stakes

to taste Cup victory.

and second in 1987 before the Laurie Laxon-

(Gr 3, 2m) more than three years ago.

prepared mare took the prize in 1988, holding off Natski (Ela-Mana-Mou) in a famous photo

However, each year, it has proven to be the same story: he travels and he thrives. From seven starts in Australia, he has

finish. Before that, Comic Court (Powerscourt)

recorded wins in the Lexus Stakes (Gr 3, 2500m)

was the last horse to fit the bill. Fourth in 1948

and the Geelong Cup (Gr 3, 2400m), placings in

and sixth in 1949, the Jim Cummings-trained

the Herbert Power Stakes (Gr 2, 2400m) and the

Comic Court produced a dazzling win in 1950.

Melbourne Cup twice apiece, and a last-start

With a third and a second to his name, Prince Of Arran has a similar profile to both of those horses.

fourth in the Caulfield Cup. That performance was one of his finest efforts yet, flashing home to finish fourth, two

Charlie Fellowes

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13 NO.

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BREEDER: RICH HILL THOROUGHBREDS LTD OWNER: MR M J FITENI, MS K M STEWART FOALING DATE: SEPTEMBER 16, 2014 SOUTHERN HEMISPHERE AGE: 6 WEIGHT: 54.5KG CAREER STATS: 13:5-2-1 WIN/PLACE PERCENTAGES: 38%/62% EARNINGS: $998,735 LAST 10 STARTS: 14132X415X29 DISTANCES WON AT: 2 (1200M), 1 (1600M), 1 (2520M), 1 (3200M) BIGGEST WIN: ADELAIDE CUP (GR 2, 3200M); MORPHETTVILLE; MARCH 11, 2019 BEST MELBOURNE CUP EFFORT: 5TH (2019) ADJUSTED RACING POST RATING: 132 OPENING ODDS (AUGUST 27): $10 FINAL FIELD ODDS (OCTOBER 31): $10

SURPRISE BA PAUL PREUSKER

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JOCKEY: CRAIG WILLIAMS

BARRIER DRAW: 7

ABY

(NZ)

NZ Breds have won 45 Melbourne Cups

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PEDIGREE ANALYSIS

here were two opportunities for potential owners to get their hands on Surprise Baby as a youngster. Sent through the 2016 NZB

Select Yearling Sale at Karaka by Rich Hill Stud with a reserve of just NZ$20,000, he was passed in for that price. Instead, he was offered later that year at the Ready to Run Sale of Two-Year-Olds. Once again, with a higher reserve of NZ$35,000, he was passed in. That gave John Fiteni and his partner Kathy Stewart the opportunity to source Surprise

Baby for just NZ$5,500 through online platform

If Surprise Baby wins, he would be the first victor since 1984 to have been sired by a

Gavelhouse.com. There wasn’t a great deal in his pedigree to suggest that he would develop into a potential

previous Cup winner. That was Black Knight, a son of 1971 winner Silver Knight (Alcimedes).

Melbourne Cup favourite. Sire Shocking had produced one Group 1 winner, New Zealand Oaks (Gr 1, 2400m) heroine Fanatic, while his best performer

SURPRISE BABY’S DAM BULA BABY (KAAPSTAD) WAS A TWOTIME WINNER AT 1600 METRES AND 2000 METRES AND HAD ONLY PRODUCED ONE OTHER FOAL TO RACE, THE UNPLACED MAORI PRINCESS (PERFECTLY READY)

otherwise was Brisbane Cup (Gr 2, 2200m) victor Chocante. Surprise Baby’s dam Bula Baby (Kaapstad) was

ANDREW’S ASSESSMENT

a two-time winner at 1600 metres and 2000 metres and had only produced one other foal to race, the unplaced Maori Princess (Perfectly Ready). Second dam Miss Tessla (Crested Wave)

Pundits were split last year between who produced the run of the race in a messy

was a Group 2 winner at 1600 metres but was

Melbourne Cup - it was either third-placed

placed in the Sandown Cup (Gr 2, 2400m), the

Il Paradiso (Galileo) or Surprise Baby.

race that is now the Zipping Classic.

I believed then, and I believe now, that Surprise Baby should have won last year’s Cup, all being equal. It is difficult to determine where he is at because we’ve only seen him twice since, but both runs have been solid and he comes into his own once he gets up to this sort of trip. It was only a matter of time before Craig Williams won the Melbourne Cup and, now that he’s finally broken through for that first win, a second seems only a matter of time, especially given the rides available to him. A one-time favourite for the Cup, he’s become something of the forgotten horse, but forget him at your peril. He is a major contender and he should get his chance to atone for last year’s defeat.

Surprise Baby

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THE STORY

metres for the Adelaide Cup (Gr 2, 3200m) at just his sixth start, having not raced beyond

2000 metres.

around, he is siding with the horse that

was only enhanced when he ended up on the

many believe should have beaten him last year:

losing side of a stretch battle with subsequent

Surprise Baby.

Geelong Cup (Gr 3, 2400m) winner Steel Prince

ockey Craig Williams is looking for back-

He defied his lack of experience to win

to-back Melbourne Cups, but instead of

comfortably, stamping himself as a stayer of the

sticking with Vow And Declare this time

future in the process. It was a reputation that

It has been a 12-month journey to have Surprise Baby back at his peak for this year’s Melbourne Cup and an exercise in extreme patience from trainer Paul Preusker.

ANZ Bloodstock Melbourne Cup supplement 2020

(Nathaniel) in the Andrew Ramsden Stakes (Listed, 2800m). Last year, he had just two runs leading into the Melbourne Cup, finishing fourth in the

Craig Williams

SPORTPIX

In fact, he has only raced twice since

Feehan Stakes before cementing his position

November last year, finishing second in the

in last year’s feature by winning The Bart

Williams is one of the best riders around and

Feehan Stakes (Gr 2, 1600m) before finding

Cummings (Gr 3, 2520m).

the horse does have a sense of timing about

the line nicely enough for ninth in the Turnbull Stakes (Gr 1, 2000m). Everything has been geared towards him finding his best on Tuesday. Nothing about Surprise Baby’s career has

In a Melbourne Cup lacking speed last year,

him.

he flashed home from near the tail, striking

It may not be a traditional Bart Cummings

trouble in the stretch before finishing fifth, less

10,000-metre preparation, but he appears to

than a length from Vow And Declare. With clear

have had the ideal campaign in order to peak

luck, he arguably wins.

on Tuesday.

been orthodox. A two-time winner at Horsham

This year, Surprise Baby carries only a

to begin his career, he stepped up to 3200

kilogram more and he enters a year older.

It would be a first Cup win for Horsham’s Preusker with just his second starter.

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14 NO.

FACT BOX

BREEDER: M. MICHEL HENOCHSBERG & MME DOMINIQUE HAZAN OWNER: MR N C WILLIAMS, MR L J WILLIAMS, MRS S J WILLIAMS, ROCKINGHAM THOROUGHBREDS, MR B N SINGER, MR P MEHRTEN, MR A L GREEN, MR M S GUDINSKI, MR V J SAMMARTINO, MR M D WIZEL, MR M E RUFF, HEFFERNAN BLOODSTOCK, MR G T RYAN, JACOBSEN BLOODSTOCK PTY LTD, MRS B A GREEN FOALING DATE: APRIL 7, 2015 SOUTHERN HEMISPHERE AGE: 6 WEIGHT: 53.5KG CAREER STATS: 15:5-3-3 WIN/PLACE PERCENTAGES: 33%/73% EARNINGS: $588,038 LAST 10 STARTS: 3349X2112X03 DISTANCES WON AT: 1 (1600M), 1 (1900M), 1 (2500M), 1 (2600M), 1 (3200M) BIGGEST WIN: ADELAIDE CUP (GR 2, 3200M); MORPHETTVILLE; MARCH 9, 2020 BEST MELBOURNE CUP EFFORT: FIRST ATTEMPT ADJUSTED RACING POST RATING: 121 OPENING ODDS (AUGUST 27): $18 FINAL FIELD ODDS (OCTOBER 31): $10

KING OF LEO DANNY Oâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;BRIEN

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JOCKEY: DAMIAN LANE

BARRIER DRAW: 18

OGRANCE Follow us @anz_news

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PEDIGREE ANALYSIS

n a year where there are plenty of regallybred types set to line up at Flemington, King Of Leogrance is something of a renegade in that there is very little by way

of talent on his pedigree page. In fact, the most significant performer from his first four generations is Al Maheb (Riverman), the son of King Of Leogrance’s

(Halling) was stakes-placed, while third

race, with King Of Leogrance joined by Russian

fourth dam Une Amazone (Youth) who won the

dam Amnesia (Septieme Ciel) produced

Camelot and Sir Dragonet.

Prix Kergorlay (Gr 2, 3000m) and the Doncaster

American Grade 3 winner Royal Copenhagen

Cup (Gr 3, 2m 2f ) in 1990 before shipping to

(Inchinor).

Australia to win the Moonee Valley Cup (Gr 2, 2600m) in 1991. He would later finish seventh to Let’s Elope (Nassipour) in the 1991 Melbourne Cup. King Of Leogrance’s dam Amourette

THE STORY

Further back, the family does include Prix

a breeder came with Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe

Royal Oak (Gr 1, 3100m) victor Henri Le Balafre

(Gr 1, 2400m) winner Urban Sea (Miswaki); she

(Sassafras), so there was some inherent staying

herself is the dam of the world’s leading stallion

blood there.

Galileo (Sadler’s Wells) and his champion half-

Sire Camelot has three runners in this year’s King Of Leogrance will be aiming to Cup and the Melbourne Cup in the same year since Subzero (Kala Dancer), the

immensely popular grey who died earlier

France

with

Jean-Claude

five starts, including the Prix

Vulcain (Listed, 2500m) at Deauville in 2018.

brother Sea The Stars (Cape Cross).

become the first horse to win the Adelaide

ing Of Leogrance began his career Rouget, winning three of his first

King Of Leogrance was bred by the late Michel Henochsberg, whose greatest success as

ANDREW’S ASSESSMENT

this year. He is one of three runners - and the only “local” - for the race’s most successful

The draw makes things difficult for King

He showed glimpses of talent in his first

owner Lloyd Williams, while he is one of four

Of Leogrance - and not just because he

Australian preparation last spring, but he

representatives for defending champion Danny

jumps from the only barrier never to have

put it all together for his second campaign

O’Brien.

produced a Melbourne Cup winner! A wide passage awaits unless Damian

during the autumn. In quick succession, he

Jockey Damian Lane, who won the

won the Roy Higgins Quality (Listed, 2600m)

Golden Slipper, the Caulfield Cup and the

Lane produces a gem of a ride - which, to

and the Adelaide Cup (Gr 2, 3200m), while

Cox Plate last year, will take his fifth ride in

be fair, he is capable of producing.

he was denied a ballot-exempt position in the

the Melbourne Cup, having achieved his best

Otherwise, King Of Leogrance ticks a lot

Melbourne Cup when second to Oceanex in the

result when sixth on Mer De Glace (Rulership)

of boxes. He’s a two-mile winner, he has

Andrew Ramsden Stakes (Listed, 2800m).

last year.

upside and he looks to be getting in well

Disappointing

at the weights. His lead-up performance

slowly-run race first-up in

in the Geelong Cup was good and he

the Turnbull Stakes (Gr 1,

appears to be hitting his straps at the

2000m), his performance

right time.

in the Geelong Cup (Gr

A top-ten finish is still possible, but he will

3, 2400m) was everything

have to be very good to win from there.

you would hope to see

It’s not entirely impossible, but he looms

from a Melbourne Cup

as more of a place chance here.

perspective.

Still, include him in all exotics.

Sneaking up the inside and inheriting the lead under Damian Lane, he weakened late on ground that was considered inferior.

King Of Leogrance

COOLMORE

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15 NO.

FACT BOX

BREEDER: LYNCH BAGES LTD AND CAMAS PARK STUD OWNER: J R WHEELER, G L MCROSTIE, QLD CUP COLTS (MGR: D J FLETCHER), B A AINSWORTH, J & MRS S KANGA, M P EDWARDS & M G FORD FOALING DATE: MARCH 29, 2017 SOUTHERN HEMISPHERE AGE: 4 WEIGHT: 53.5KG CAREER STATS: 7:4-2-0 WIN/PLACE PERCENTAGES: 57%/86% EARNINGS: $911,225 LAST 10 STARTS: 12X411X21 DISTANCES WON AT: 1 (1400M), 1 (1600M), 1 (1800M), 1 (2500M) BIGGEST WIN: SOUTH AUSTRALIAN DERBY (GR 1, 2500M); MORPHETTVILLE; MAY 9, 2020 BEST MELBOURNE CUP EFFORT: FIRST ATTEMPT ADJUSTED RACING POST RATING: 126 OPENING ODDS (AUGUST 27): $9 FINAL FIELD ODDS (OCTOBER 31): $10

RUSSIAN CA DANNY Oâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;BRIEN

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ANZ Bloodstock Melbourne Cup supplement 2020

JOCKEY: DAMIEN OLIVER

BARRIER DRAW: 16

AMELOT

(IRE)

Another Melbourne Cup Contender Made In Ireland

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PEDIGREE ANALYSIS

ussian Camelot set a new trend for Australians looking to invest in quality European bloodstock without having to battle for the

narrow tried horse market. At Book 1 of the 2018 Tattersalls October Yearling

Sale,

bloodstock

agent

Jeremy

Brummitt paid 120,000 guineas (approx.

Of Wales’s Stakes (Gr 2, 1m 2f ) hero Stagecraft

Cup before injury ruled him out in the days

AUD$232,800) for the colt by Guineas and

(Sadler’s Wells).

prior. He is now a champion jumps sire.

Derby winner Camelot (Montjeu) out of unraced mare Lady Babooshka (Cape Cross). It had been done before, but never quite

(Notably, the Jebel Hatta, the Prix de l’Opera

Also appearing are one-time Melbourne Cup

and the Prince Of Wales’s Stakes have all since

runner Alessandro Volta (Montjeu) and Australian

been elevated to Group 1 status.)

Group 1-winning filly Pasadena Girl (Savabeel).

with such a splash. Given Russian Camelot

Making an appearance in his pedigree is

has already earned almost $1.5 million with

champion stayer Kayf Tara (Sadler’s Wells), who

the promise of more to come, England’s most

was set to start favourite in the 1999 Melbourne

prestigious yearling sale is sure to prove an annual pilgrimage for Australian buyers once the Covid-19 pandemic passes. Lady Babooshka is out of Listed winner Balalaika (Sadler’s Wells), who was at her best at 1800 metres or so, while she produced Jebel Hatta (Gr 2, 1800m) victor Alkaadhem (Green Desert). Third dam Bella Colora (Bellypha) was also a strong middle distance filly, winning the Prix

RUSSIAN CAMELOT SET A NEW TREND FOR AUSTRALIANS LOOKING TO INVEST IN QUALITY EUROPEAN BLOODSTOCK WITHOUT HAVING TO BATTLE FOR THE NARROW TRIED HORSE MARKET

ANDREW’S ASSESSMENT Russian Camelot still does so much wrong in his races. He has all the talent in the world but he needs to harness that to reach his full potential. Whether the two miles proves up his

de l’Opera (Gr 2, 2000m) and producing Prince

alley remains to be seen, but off his preparation, it does appear that it may be a bridge too far. Gate 16 only makes his task that much tougher and it likely forces Damien Oliver’s hand; he probably has to push forward, given that Russian Camelot is likely to overrace back in the field. He has the weight and the brilliance to be able to figure but, in the end, it just feels as though it is all too soon for the headstrong colt. It wouldn’t surprise me if, in 12 months, we are talking about him as Australia’s best horse after he has proven himself on the world stage, but for now, he’s one worth risking for the Melbourne Cup.

Camelot

COOLMORE

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THE STORY

ANZ Bloodstock Melbourne Cup supplement 2020

start after he won a Pakenham Benchmark 64

ownership group indicating that an attempt

by seven lengths and that he had an interrupted

at the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe (Gr 1, 2400m) may be on his radar next year.

campaign.

hemisphere Derby when taking the South

Beaten but producing the run of the

Australian Derby (Gr 1, 2500m) earlier this year.

race first-up in the Makybe Diva Stakes (Gr

Media

It’s no mean feat, either, given that he was

1, 1600m), he then took out the Underwood

(Monsun).

conceding six months to his rivals but was

Stakes (Gr 1, 1800m) comfortably at

meeting them at set weights.

Caulfield. He was then sent out odds-on for

ussian Camelot is already a

While he may still reach that mantle, this

He is one of four runners for defending

history maker, having become the

campaign has dulled the hype somewhat, even

champion, trainer Danny O’Brien, while he

first northern hemisphere-bred

as he has continued to perform admirably

will be aiming to give Damien Oliver a record-

three-year-old to win a southern

throughout.

equalling fourth Melbourne Cup after his

From the time he debuted in October last

the Caulfield Stakes (Gr 1, 2000m) but was

year, Russian Camelot has always looked a

no match for Arcadia Queen (Pierro), while

special horse. At just his second start, he was

he battled on strongly for third in the Cox

luckless in defeat in the three-year-old race

Plate (Gr 1, 2040m) behind Sir Dragonet

now known as the TAB Trophy (Listed, 1800m),

(Camelot).

even more remarkable given he was still a late

victories on Doriemus (Norman Pentaquad),

The issue for Russian Camelot is that he is still, in so many respects, a baby. He lacks race

season two-year-old. That dominant win in the South Australian Derby at just his fifth start had many pundits

sense and, in a race like the Melbourne Cup, that’s an issue.

declaring the colt as potentially the best horse

This is likely the one shot that Russian

in Australia, especially given it had come one

Camelot gets at the Melbourne Cup, with the

Puzzle

(Theatrical)

and

Fiorente

THIS IS LIKELY THE ONE SHOT THAT RUSSIAN CAMELOT GETS AT THE MELBOURNE CUP, WITH THE OWNERSHIP GROUP INDICATING THAT AN ATTEMPT AT THE PRIX DE L’ARC DE TRIOMPHE (GR 1, 2400M) MAY BE ON HIS RADAR NEXT YEAR.

The Complete Roster of Stallions at stud... visit arion.co.nz ... go to Data Centre for all the up-to-date information Arion Pedigrees

www.arion.co.nz

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| 76 |

16 NO.

FACT BOX

BREEDER: GRANGECON STUD OWNER: COLLINS ST PARTNERS, MR B N GRIFFITH, MR T J STOREY, MRS A L K ANDREWS-BURGIO, THE MORE YOU PUT ON, MR A MAROSTICA, MS N HARTMANN, CAVALLUCCIO, MR P N FINN, MR G ARGYROU FOALING DATE: MARCH 23, 2014 SOUTHERN HEMISPHERE AGE: 7 WEIGHT: 53.5KG CAREER STATS: 26:9-5-3 WIN/PLACE PERCENTAGES: 35%/65% EARNINGS: $1,064,412 LAST 10 STARTS: 11X4679X0331 DISTANCES WON AT: 1 (1800M), 1 (2000M), 1 (2276M), 3 (2400M), 1 (2425M), 1 (2600M), 1 (2800M) BIGGEST WIN: GEELONG CUP (GR 3, 2400M); GEELONG; OCTOBER 21, 2020 BEST MELBOURNE CUP EFFORT: 9TH (2019) ADJUSTED RACING POST RATING: 131 OPENING ODDS (AUGUST 27): $101 FINAL FIELD ODDS (OCTOBER 31): $10

STEEL PRINC ANTHONY AND SAM FREEDMAN

| 76 |

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ANZ Bloodstock Melbourne Cup supplement 2020

JOCKEY: WILLIAM PIKE

BARRIER DRAW: 21

(IRE)

Another Melbourne Cup Contender Made In Ireland

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PEDIGREE ANALYSIS

teel Prince enters with one of the most international pedigrees of any horse in this year’s Melbourne Cup. Out of French Group 3 winner

Steel Princess (Danehill), Steel Prince is a halfbrother to Sarah Lynx (Montjeu), who won the Canadian International (Gr 1, 12f ) at Woodbine in Toronto in 2011. Another sibling, Sugar Boy (Authorized), won the Sandown Classic Trial (Gr 3, 1m 2f ) in

(Listed, 2200m). Another half-brother, Vision

Also in the family is Zagalia (Zabeel), who

Of Grandeur (Grand Lodge), was a winner in

finished fifth at her only Melbourne Cup run in

South Africa.

2003, as well as New Zealand Group 1 winner

Steel Prince’s fifth dam is Feemoss

2013. Steel Princess is a half-sister to Gentil

(Ballymoss), who produced two champion

Tonton (Yeats), who began her career in Ireland,

stayers in Levmoss (Le Levanstell) and Le Moss

had one start in Australia at Kembla Grange

(Le Levanstell), while her Group 1-winning

before continuing to race in New Zealand,

daughter Sweet Mimosa (Le Levanstell) is Steel

where she won the Taumarunui Gold Cup

Prince’s fourth dam.

THE STORY

The Freedman family has five Melbourne

Sword Of Osman (Savabeel).

ANDREW’S ASSESSMENT

Cups to their name, all listing Anthony’s brother Lee as the sole trainer but not acknowledging

ast year, Steel Prince had the benefit

the fact that all four brothers (Lee, Richard,

Steel Prince enters this year’s Melbourne

of a guaranteed Melbourne Cup

Michael and Anthony) played a major role in

Cup off a dominant Geelong Cup win. He

spot after winning the Andrew

the operation.

has really done little wrong this campaign and deserves more respect than he

Ramsden Stakes (Listed, 2800m) in

Steel Prince is one of two runners for

May and so his preparation was far from flashy.

Anthony Freedman, who is now in partnership

received last year.

This time around, he has had to earn his

with his son Sam as a new dynasty emerges;

However, I feel the way the race was run

they also saddle up Warning.

last year proved helpful to him and I’m

berth in the Cup and so he has essentially been on trial all spring long.

It is also a first Melbourne Cup ride for

not sure he will be suited by the way I

While the form guide says that he finished

popular Perth jockey William Pike, who has

have mapped the race this time around.

13th of 16 first-up in the Heatherlie Handicap

long been a social media sensation but who

Any map has him in an awkward position

(Listed, 1700m), it was a far better run than

has brought his best form to Melbourne this

from barrier 21, meaning that he either

a cursory glance would suggest as - lugging

spring.

has to push on towards the lead, he has

plenty of weight - he was able to make ground

to maintain a three-wide line near the

late from last in a race dominated on the speed.

speed or he has to drag back and look for a position one off the fence. Whichever

Since then, he has performed admirably in three starts since, making solid ground for third

way it goes, it looks an uncomfortable

in the Naturalism Stakes (Gr 3, 2000m), sticking

map for him and his backers will be

on gamely in The Bart Cummings (Gr 3, 2510m)

relying on some Willie Pike magic to give

before justifying heavy market support to land

him his best chance.

the Geelong Cup (Gr 3, 2400m).

For mine, he’s a fringe place chance if

Pre-race, it was labelled the strongest

everything goes right. Given I think that

Geelong Cup in recent memory and his win

scenario is unlikely, I have to take a set

was more dominant than the long head margin

against him.

would suggest. In the Cup last year, Steel Prince held his ground in ninth and, on what he has shown this time around, you would have to think a similar performance can be expected.

Steel Prince (inside)

SPORTPIX

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INTERNATIONAL FLAVOUR OF CUP LIKELY TO CONTINUE - PAGE 17

Vow And Declare takes out Melbourne Cup for Australia

Read Tomorrow's Issue For: Latest carnival news What's on Race meetings: Grafton (NSW), Kyneton (VIC), Port Lincoln (SA), Launceston (TAS), Avondale (NZ)

Danny O’Brien-trained stayer holds off internationals in tight Flemington finish

International meetings: Happy Valley (HK).

| 14 |

Thursday, November 7, 2019

Barrier trials / Jump-outs: Warwick Farm (NSW), Caulfield (VIC). Sales: Keeneland (USA) - November Breeding Stock Sale - Day 1

CHARLIE FELLOWES

Sunday, November 10, 2019 | Dedicated to the Australasian bloodstock industry - subscribe for free: Click here

DIRECT TO YOUR INBOX EVERY MORNING

Nicconi gelding a freak of Nature

I am incredibly proud of Prince Of Arran, he ran another fantastic race

CHARLIE FELLOWES | @FELLOWESRACING

Read Tomorrow's Issue For: The Week Ahead

hat a day yesterday was – it was unbelievable. Most

International Sales News What's on

importantly Prince Of Arran has come through the run

perfectly. HeWarren trotted up beautifully and polished Race meetings: Moree (NSW), offMoe all his feed, which is a great sign that the (NSW), Ararat (VIC), (VIC), horse isn’t stressed. Townsville (QLD), Penola (SA), York He had a lovely long pick of

Rejuvenated sprinter scores scintillating Darley Sprint Classic win

grass at Werribee this morning. Tash sent me a (WA), Hastings (NZ). International Group races:saying Kranjithat (SGP) message she got so distracted giving

- Singapore Gold Cup 2000m), him(Listed, grass she ended up staying out there for an elbourne Cup (Gr 1, 3200m)

Saas Fee Stakes (Listed, hour 1200m). and a half. So he’s, as always, had the best

Taipa (MAC). winner Vow And Declare,

treatment since the run. Sales: Keeneland (USA) - November

Breeding Stock Sale - Day 5 by American-bred stallion I never thought

I was going to win

Declaration Of War (War

It was totally different to last year – I really felt at one stage 12 months ago we were going

Front) who twice won on turf at the highest

Prince Of Aarran

SPORTPIX

to win the race. But this year I never ever felt,

gallop and turned it into a bit of sprint which

fortune and luck with his versatility and the way

level in Europe, has delivered for Australia

despite how close we were, that it was ours.

meant those on the pace were massively at an

he runs his races.

I always knew we were just held by Master

advantage. But the way it was run really suited

Michael Walker’s ride was just perfect. I

with a locally bred and trained victory in the

Of Reality and Vow And Declare. It probably

Prince Of Arran – he is such a relaxed, easy to

said after the Geelong Cup that was his best ride

wasn’t until right on the line I realised how

ride sort of horse which means that he really

he’s ever given him, but although we didn’t win,

close we actually were. I am incredibly proud of

can sit wherever you want, whereas if you

I think Tuesday’s was just as good. He had him

country’s biggest race.

BY TOM WALTER | @ANZ_NEWS It was a very strong renewal with a lot of

have a horse that gets a bit lit up they have to

in such a good position the whole way through

get some cover, so although we were fortunate

and he couldn't have ridden it any better.

strength and depth. They went a very steady peed machine Nature Strip (Nicconi)

him for running another fantastic race.

with the way the race was run, we earned that

The former Coolmore stallion Declaration

Of War, now domiciled in Japan, certainly left his mark during his two-year stint Down Under,

The bottom line is that everything went

simply gave nothing else a chance in yesterday’s Darley Sprint Classic (Gr 1, 1200m) as he scorched to victory

down the Flemington straight.

not least of which allows Australia to lay claim to

Rider James McDonald was quick to

BACKING BRITIAN’S TRAINERS ON THE WORLD STAGE

www.greatbritishracinginternational.com

find the outside rail on Nature Strip and

establishing an unchallenged lead, the breeding the winner of the $8 million cup forafter just

WHAT THE JOCKEY'S SAID - PAGE 9

Cont. on pageeffectively 2>>

Nature Strip

GETTY IMAGES

MELBOURNE CUP STAKE RESULT AND BREEDING INFO - PAGE 22

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Brought to you by

You got the feeling this year that Europeans coming over and constantly winning it wasn’t

just talking about Tuesday either, really since

really doing it any favours. But Tuesday showed

"He just went a bit tired today," Zahra said. "When I got the gaps on the

zoom - nothing would've beat the winner today - but he just

“He was airborne, floating across the ground, I slipped him a bit more

went like he's a tired horse."

rein at the 300m and I looked at the big screen and thought ‘oh no’, it felt

Sam Freedman said favourite Santa Ana Lane would enjoy an

on Vow And Declare, who was

But the love for Prince Of Arran has been

Vow And Declare

Japan or Hong Kong in the pipeline

Japan Cup

JRA

lovely and it’s very touching - they seem to

So the immediate plan for Prince Of Arran

have taken him under their wing and clearly

is either the Japan Cup or the Hong Kong Vase.

have a lot of affection for him. But that really

We were invited to Japan immediately after the

is the kind of horse he is, he’s got a wonderful

race and then overnight were invited to Hong

personality. They also love the story of Tash and

Kong as well which is great. I feel like Japan

her affection for the horse and he’s become a

is unbelievably tough - the ground is always

real public favourite down here. His record in

rattling quick and the Japanese are always very,

Australia speaks for itself. In six starts he’s never

very difficult to beat on their own turf.

been out of the first three, placed in two Group

I am really going to consider both and get

1s, placed in two Group 2s and won two Group

an idea of both fields if I can and see what's

3s, it’s pretty unbelievable.

what. I have a feeling the Vase might be quite

Emptive Strike).

strong this year. My first choice will be to go

"He's had a long year and I

The mare has an unraced three-year-old sister to Nature Strip and

to Hong Kong just because I feel it suits him

think he was tired today, he raced

a two-year-old colt by Rosemont Stud’s Shamus Award (Snitzel), while

better. I thought he was flying in Hong Kong

flat," Freedman told Racing.com.

she has most recently been covered by New Zealand’s leading stallion

last year, but the draw is so crucial there– if

Savabeel (Zabeel).

"A lot of horses, when they takes them a while to get over it.

you get drawn wide you are already at a huge

Nature Strip was bred by Sean Buckley’s Golden Grove Stud and the

disadvantage before the race has even begun.

operation’s manager Anthony Swords does not regret parting with the

That is what I love about the Melbourne Cup

come back from Hong Kong, it

brilliant sprinter as a yearling.

"To be honest, I know he was

the draw is not the deciding factor as we saw on

unlucky in The Everest but I don't

“We sell good horses. It’s as simple as that,” Swords said.

Tuesday. Vow And Declare was drawn 21 and

think he was at his best there

“People often say ‘why would they sell their good ones?’ but that’s

sat in the box seat, how Craig Williams got him

either.

CHRIS WALLER, TRAINER

Yearling

Strikeline is herself a half-sister to fellow before, Group but 3 winner Bashful he really is the most lovely guy and Girl (Perugino), with the pair being out of Listed winner Strike (Prebeing beaten by him. I wouldn’t haveHigh minded

extended spell after a hectic 2019.

All preparation he has shown how well he is going, he’s a very happy horse and that takes them a long way

Premier

(Listed, 1600m) winner The Barrister (Star Witness), racing as High have minded losing that I now thought I wouldn’t Volatility in Hong Kong. to — like Joseph O’Brien, he’s won the race

“I’m not to sure where he will have his next starts but I know the team

pulled off a tactical masterstroke

him for it.

been with him.

Nature Strip is one of three winners for the Group think the3-winning result wasmare very, very important for Strikeline (Desert Sun), making him a half-brother to Fernhill Australia. ThereHandicap were a few people in the race

“We’ve been fortunate enough to takeover a very fast horse and we’ve

are keen to take him to Royal Ascot in June but there will certainly be a few races before then.”

O’Brien said Williams had

really, really good story for the race and of all the horses to beat us I really didn’t begrudge

don’t underestimate how fortunate we have

Melbourne

added a bit of our own fine tuning.

The horse is a courageous horse he's got great stamina and I'm sure he was headed but he just found some more to get his head out on the line

waiting for something, even small, to go amiss but it hasn’t. We have been so, so lucky and I

The result was exactly SPORTPIX what the race needed

Nature Strip

Sale, Nature Strip (5 g Nicconi - Strikeline by DesertAlthough Sun) tookobviously his recordI would have loved to 11 wins and two placings from 18 starts for prize-money of $1,879,285. to have taken the Cup back to Newmarket, I

horse and that takes them a long way,” he said.

3:16.3 track record set in 1990.

by a big syndicate of owners and it was just a

Trainer Chris Waller revealed plans of tackling Royal Ascot next year.

by a head.

Vow And Declare ran 3:24.76 seconds in the cup on ground rated a

that Australian horses can still be competitive and can still win this amazing race. It was won

that all along nothing went wrong. I was just

“All preparation he has shown how well he is going, he’s a very happy

speed throughout, fought back under Craig Williams on the line to score

Soft 5, more than eight seconds outside Kingston Rule's (Secretariat)

Goodwood we could not have had a more perfect preparation into the race. I have said

Passed in for $90,000 (reserve $120,000) at the 2016 Inglis

out so strongly.”

with Il Paradiso (Galileo) ($15) another nose back.

would want to win the ultimate Australian race.

complaining, questioning what could have

like I was six in front and he was still going through his gears and he ran it

fourth on protest, elevating Prince Of Arran (Shirocco) ($17) to runner-up

the perfect Australian story: Australian-trained, Australian-bred – just the right sort of horse you

only got beaten a head, so we can’t come away been, as everything went our way. I’m not even

at his first start, apart from that he’s been faultless, he’s a star,” McDonald said.

Master Of Reality (Frankel) was second past the post but relegated to

But he ran his heart out and there really is nothing more you can ask from a horse. We Santa Ana Lane’s jockey

was ‘flat’,

Wednesday, November 6, 2019 outside fence I thought he'd new level this preparation, he has had only one real disappointment and that was

Danny O’Brien-trained Vow And Declare ($11), who had raced near the

that bracket because it was a lovely story. It’s

Mark Zahra agreed the sprinter

“I’m thrilled for the horse and thrilled for the connections, he has gone to a

In a thrilling four-way finish, the

Thursday, November 7, 2019

we just weren’t good enough on the day.

An emphatic three and a quarter

Lane (Lope De Vega) was uncharacteristically flat, finishing six lengths

<< Continued from page 1

| 15 |

But you also have to put Vow And Declare in

Time (Time Thief ) filling the minor placings. Hot favourite Santa Ana from Nature Strip in sixth.

|2|

Brought to you by

| 14 |

Brought to you by our way, the race played into our hands and

length win was the result, with Loving Gaby (I Am Invincible) and In Her

<< Continued from page 1

Vow And Declare takes out Melbourne Cup for Australia

Continued on page 2>> Follow us @anz_news: click here

YESTERDAY'S STAKES RESULTS | PAGE 16 Charlie Fellowes' Melbourne Diary

SPORTPIX

|1|

Nicconi gelding a freak of Nature

|1|

@GreatBritishRacingInternational

set an impossible task for the

chasing pack.

'I’M THRILLED FOR THE HORSE AND THRILLED FOR THE CONNECTIONS'

Vow And Declare

@GBRI_UK

pair sizzled home in 33.08 seconds which

the second time in a decade.

"He's going to have a good

what we do. We breed and raise very good horses and the owners of

in that position I do not know, which is sort of

Nature Strip are seeing that first hand. Good luck to them.’’

what Michael Walker did last year from stall 20.

Nicconi stands at Widden Stud for a fee of $38,500 (inc GST).

break and we'll see what we do next year."

So plans have not yet been set in stone for

Continued on page 4>>

Arran for the rest of the year, but all being well

SPORTPIX

and he stays fit and healthy, all roads will lead

Australia and New Zealand’s leading daily publication for breaking and delivering bloodstock news. Read and trusted by over 8,000 industry professionals. DANNY O’BRIEN, TRAINER

runner-up to Japan’s Mer De

Glace (Rulership) in the Caulfield Cup (Gr 1, 2400m).

"He'd been in front past

the winning post the first time and, particularly for a horse

that normally settles midfield

back to Melbourne again and we are hoping it

Vow And Declare

SPORTPIX

"Ultimately, it's been the winning move, I don't think he would've won

will be third time lucky and I can’t wait.

if he'd gone back.

"I thought it was an incredibly brave thing for him to do, to roll to the

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post the first time.

@GBRI_UK

@GreatBritishRacingInternational

"My feelings inside the last 100 metres were that he was going to run a

nice third or fourth, which would be a bit disappointing.

or back, it was a different

winning connections "The horseNature is aStrip courageous horse he's got great stamina and I'm sure

position for him to be in,"

he was headed but he just found some more to get his head out on the

O’Brien said.

line.

2019

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STAKES WINS

GROUP ONES

DERBY TITLES

lin

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17 NO.

FACT BOX

BREEDER: A G, K J, M C & P R DENNIS OWNER: MR A G DENNIS, MR C P DENNIS, MR D G FORDE, MR G J POPHAM, MR G DENNIS, MR G R MILLER, MR GRAHAM RAYNOR REDINGTON, MR K J DENNIS, MISS J L DUNLOP, MRS N M C ROBERTSON, MRS P A DENNIS, MR N VAN SCHAIK, MR PAUL JOHNSTONE, MR P M JEFFARES, MR P R DENNIS, MR R L BONNINGTON, MR T V RIDER FOALING DATE: SEPTEMBER 30, 2015 SOUTHERN HEMISPHERE AGE: 5 WEIGHT: 53.5KG CAREER STATS: 26:6-3-2 WIN/PLACE PERCENTAGES: 23%/42% EARNINGS: $1,315,509 LAST 10 STARTS: 0X38572X1873 DISTANCES WON AT: 1 (1400M), 1 (1600M), 1 (1700M), 2 (2000M), 1 (2400M) BIGGEST WIN: HERBERT POWER STAKES (GR 2, 2400M); CAULFIELD; OCTOBER 12, 2019 BEST MELBOURNE CUP EFFORT: 17TH (2019) ADJUSTED RACING POST RATING: 130 OPENING ODDS (AUGUST 27): $101 FINAL FIELD ODDS (OCTOBER 31): $10

THE CHOSEN MURRAY BAKER AND ANDREW FORSMAN

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JOCKEY: DANIEL STACKHOUSE

BARRIER DRAW: 5

N ONE

(NZ)

NZ Breds have won 45 Melbourne Cups

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PEDIGREE ANALYSIS

he Chosen One comes from one of New Zealand’s most prolific families, featuring horses who begin with the prefix ‘The’.

Second dam The Jewel (O’Reilly) was a two-

time Group 1 winner and was champion New Zealand three-year-old in 2002-03. Most of her foals featured ‘The’ and ‘One’, including Group

Bijou) and The Phantom Chance (Noble Bijou).

Efficient), with Galileo (Sadler’s Wells) on 26,

winners The Diamond One (Tale Of The Cat)

The Phantom finished fourth (1989),

Montjeu (Sadler’s Wells) on 17 and Danehill

and The Precious One (Darci Brahma) and the

second (1990) and eighth (1993) in three

(Danzig) and Sir Tristram (Sir Ivor) next best

stakes-placed The Glitzy One (Flying Spur).

Melbourne Cup attempts, all for The Chosen

on 14.

It was The Glitzy One who would produce

One’s co-trainer Murray Baker. The Chosen One is by Waikato Stud’s

The Chosen One, her only named foal. Further back in the family are two

Savabeel (Zabeel), the 2004 Cox Plate winner

multiple Group 1 winners, both who ran in the

who has been New Zealand’s champion sire on

Melbourne Cup - brothers The Phantom (Noble

six occasions. Savabeel hasn’t been a prolific producer of stayers; in fact, The Chosen One was just Savabeel’s third Melbourne Cup runner last

ANDREW’S ASSESSMENT

year. However, his Classic winners Sangster and Savaria won the Auckland Cup (Gr 1, 3200m) and Wellington Cup (Gr 3, 3200m) respectively,

After Vow And Declare returned the

while The Chosen One flashed home for second

Cup to Australian hands last year, The

in the Sydney Cup.

Chosen One - a traditional Kiwi-prepared

However,

Murray Baker

SPORTPIX

Savabeel’s

sire

Zabeel

(Sir

stayer - shapes as a chance to give a New

Tristram) has been the most prolific producer

Zealand-trained horse victory for the first

of Melbourne Cup runners in the past three

time since Ethereal (Rhythm) in 2001.

decades.

The Chosen One flies under the radar.

From 1990 to 2019, Zabeel had 44 runners for three winners (Might And Power, Jezabeel,

He’s never going to be the flashiest of horses, but he is talented and, at five, he has finally started to put it all together. He’s far from the most consistent of horses and it might be tough to take that Caulfield Cup run on face value. However, if the blinkers and the handier ride did bring the best out in him, there’s no reason to think that he can’t repeat the effort, especially at a tremendous price. It would be criminal if Murray Baker were to retire without a Melbourne Cup on the mantlepiece, given his prowess with stayers. Perhaps this is the year that he can lift the trophy for the first time. I can hardly believe it myself, but The

PREDICTED 2020 Melbourne Cup. FINISH: 1ST

Chosen One is my chosen one for the Savabeel

WAIKATO STUD

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THE STORY

2, 2400m) last spring to gain a spot in both the Caulfield Cup, where he finished ninth, and the

Melbourne Cup, where he finished 17th.

was an effort best forgotten.

under top-weight over 1700 metres before

ast year, The Chosen One finished a

Returning in the autumn with a weight-

well-beaten 17th in the Melbourne

for-age third over a mile, he again mixed his

Cup. However, he was well back on

form before charging home into second in the

a slow tempo and he was checked

Sydney Cup (Gr 1, 3200m) behind Etah James.

a couple of times in the straight, so all in all, it

This spring, he returned with a big victory Andrew Forsman

SPORTPIX

The Chosen One has been a remarkable

two subpar runs in the Underwood Stakes

horse in that he has improved preparation on

(Gr 1, 1800m) and the Herbert Power Stakes.

of them in partnership with his co-trainer

preparation, season after season.

However, with the addition of blinkers and a

Andrew Forsman.

Winner of two Group 3 2000-metre races

good draw, he was able to settle handier and

Baker has had a number of top 10

on both sides of the Tasman as a late three-

he fought on solidly to finish less than a length

finishers in the Melbourne Cup, including The

year-old, he won the Herbert Power Stakes (Gr

behind two class horses in Verry Elleegant and

Phantom, who was second to Kingston Rule

Anthony Van Dyck.

(Secretariat) in the fastest Cup of them all in

THE BLINKERS REMAIN ON HERE AND, WITH ANOTHER GOOD DRAW, HE SHOULD GAIN A MUCH MORE SUITABLE RUN THIS TIME AROUND

The blinkers remain on here and, with

1990. In Forsman, he has formed a formidable

another good draw, he should gain a much

partnership that has a proven track record of

more suitable run this time around.

big-race success.

Trainer Murray Baker is considered one of

Taking the ride is last yearâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Victorian jockey

the best conditioners of stayers around, proven

premiership runner-up Daniel Stackhouse,

by the fact that he has trained five Australian

with the Kiwi expat looking for his first Group 1

Derby (Gr 1, 2400m) winners since 2008, three

win with his first Melbourne Cup mount.

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18 NO.

FACT BOX

BREEDER: HANS WIRTH OWNER: AUSTRALIAN BLOODSTOCK & STALL TURFFIGHTER FOALING DATE: MAY 22, 2016 SOUTHERN HEMISPHERE AGE: 5 WEIGHT: 53KG CAREER STATS: 13:4-2-1 WIN/PLACE PERCENTAGES: 31%/54% EARNINGS: $315,819 LAST 10 STARTS: 11853X5X2241 DISTANCES WON AT: 2 (2200M), 2 (2500M) BIGGEST WIN: LEXUS HOTHAM STAKES (GR 3, 2500M); FLEMINGTON; OCTOBER 31, 2020 BEST MELBOURNE CUP EFFORT: FIRST ATTEMPT ADJUSTED RACING POST RATING: 129 OPENING ODDS (AUGUST 27): $51 FINAL FIELD ODDS (OCTOBER 31): $15

ASHRUN

(FR)

ANDREAS WOHLER

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JOCKEY: DECLAN BATES

BARRIER DRAW: 24

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PEDIGREE ANALYSIS

victory to Ashrun in the Melbourne Cup would continue a big year for the Turkish Jockey Club, with their stallion purchases over the past 18

months striking plenty of success since their acquisition. Epsom Derby winner Authorized (Montjeu) originally stood at Dalham Hall Stud in

with Irish Derby (Gr 1, 1m 4f ) hero Santiago,

Newmarket, spending time at both Kildangan

while Ashrun could add

Stud in Ireland and Darley Kelvinside in

Also among the stallions bought by the

Australia, before heading to Haras du Logis in

Turkish Jockey Club is Daredevil (More Than

Normandy, France from 2014 to 2019.

Ready), sire of Preakness Stakes (Gr 1, 9.5f )

Although he was European-based for the

heroine Swiss Skydiver and her Kentucky Oaks

most part, only shuttling to Australia for four

(Gr 1, 9f ) conqueress Shedaresthedevil; he has

seasons, he had his greatest flat success down

only found success with his first three-year-olds

under through the exploits of Group 1 winners

in 2020.

Hartnell, Complacent and Pounamu. However, it was over jumps that he struck his greatest success, with dual Grand National

So it is that Ashrun will be closely watched by Turkey’s owners and breeders on Tuesday. Ashrun is the sixth named foal of Ashantee

ANDREW’S ASSESSMENT Ashrun was one of the first horses I backed after entries were released in August. He looked to have the right progressive

(Areion), a Group 3 winner in Germany who

profile, in well at the weights, and he had the

Therefore, it was somewhat surprising that

was versatile, performing from 1000 metres

right trainer in Andreas Wohler in his corner.

he was purchased by the Turkish Jockey Club,

to 2200 metres. Her best performer to date

However, when he was given 53

given his trajectory as a stallion. That said, two

remains Ashiana (Mastercraftsman), a German

kilograms, it appeared a tough task for

of Turkey’s leading lights - Toruk Macto and Bici

Group 2 winner at a mile and a half.

him to sneak into the field. So it proved

winner Tiger Roll his leading light.

Bici - were by Authorized. Since he moved to Turkey over the northern winter, he has again found success on the flat

As is the case with many German families, there

abundant

speed

and

stamina

as the traditional attrition simply didn’t eventuate. His Geelong Cup run was a terrific

throughout.

Melbourne Cup trial and, if it had been the only prep run he’d had into Tuesday’s race, I’d think he was a major player. I still think he’s a chance, but the prospect of three runs in 13 days really concerns me. Add in that his effort under 61 kilograms on Saturday was quite tough and the fact that he now has to overcome the outside barrier, meaning he will have to go back and come wide again, and I’d be worried that he’s not going to show his best on Tuesday. If he does, I think he’s a contender. As a result, I’ll include him in all exotics, but he’s more than likely a place chance at best here.

Authorized

DARLEY

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THE STORY

ANZ Bloodstock Melbourne Cup supplement 2020

looks capable of performing at a higher level, particularly with only 53 kilograms. A winner of three of his first five starts,

ntil Saturday, German-trained

including the German Derby Trial (Listed,

Ashrun was in doubt for the

2200m) and the Prix de Reux (Gr 3, 2500m), he

Melbourne Cup as he was left

had not won again before taking the Hotham on

stranded on the outside of the

Saturday. However, his form at staying trips had

24-horse field. Having finished a decent closing fourth in

been progressive this year, including runner-

the Geelong Cup (Gr 3, 2400m) at his Australian

up finishes in the Prix du Carrousel (Listed,

debut, nothing but victory in Saturday’s Lexus

3000m) and the Prix Kergorlay (Gr 2, 3000m).

Hotham Stakes (Gr 3, 2500m) would have

Andreas Wohler

RACING POST

That second in the Prix Kergorlay, behind

pandemic, it meant two weeks in quarantine in

arguably France’s top stayer in Call The

a Sydney hotel room. Wohler himself said that

Carrying 61 kilograms, Ashrun looked to

Wind (Frankel), was a particularly good form

all he craved was a cigarette as he had to ride

have plenty to do at the top of the straight, but

reference, given the Kergorlay had thrown up

the boredom out.

managed to flash home down the outside to

three Melbourne Cup winners already this

grab another former German in Sound (Lando)

decade.

guaranteed him a berth.

in the shadows of the post.

Trainer

Given the sacrifice involved, perhaps it should be taken as a pointer to how the

Andreas

Wohler,

based

handler sees Ashrun’s chances, with Wohler

Now, he will aim to be the first horse since

Ravensberg - between Dortmund and Hanover

looking to add a second Melbourne Cup after

Shocking (Street Cry) in 2009 to complete the

- took the opportunity to make the trip to

Protectionist’s win.

Hotham-Melbourne Cup double.

Australia just to saddle up Ashrun.

Three runs in the space of two weeks hardly

In a normal year, that would be a run-of-

looks ideal, but he is on an upward spiral and

the-mill call, but in the midst of a Covid-19

It will be a first Cup ride for Declan Bates, a former Irish jumps jockey who will be seeking his second Group 1 win.

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19 NO.

FACT BOX

BREEDER: THE TOORAK THOROUGHBRED BREEDING TRUST OWNER: BROMFIELD PARK PTY LTD, MR B BAINES, MR T E DWYER, MR J A O'NEILL, MRS K M GROSSEK, CEDAR RACING, MR L JERVIS, MR T L EWERT, MR E R D FARQUHARSON, MR W J LEAF, MR T SECCULL, MR A R BOYD, MR J VAN DE POL, MR A W S BLAIR, MRS S M RIDGWAY, MR W G JOHNSON FOALING DATE: SEPTEMBER 30, 2016 SOUTHERN HEMISPHERE AGE: 4 WEIGHT: 53KG CAREER STATS: 16:2-1-3 WIN/PLACE PERCENTAGES: 13%/38% EARNINGS: $1,507,900 LAST 10 STARTS: 1X755633X760 DISTANCES WON AT: 1 (1800M), 1 (2500M) BIGGEST WIN: VICTORIA DERBY (GR 1, 2500M); FLEMINGTON; NOVEMBER 2, 2019 BEST MELBOURNE CUP EFFORT: FIRST ATTEMPT ADJUSTED RACING POST RATING: 129 OPENING ODDS (AUGUST 27): $51 FINAL FIELD ODDS (OCTOBER 31): $10

WARNING

(AUS

ANTHONY AND SAM FREEDMAN

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PEDIGREE ANALYSIS

he Derby winner from last year, by

Melbourne

Cup-winning

stallion Declaration Of War, and out of a mare by sire sensation

Galileo. Surely, a genetic make-up designed for Melbourne Cup success? Yet, this is not a pedigree that shouts of a two-mile horse, let alone the winner of the

Vow And Declare’s Cup win last year, while

As for whether

world’s richest race over the staying trip.

he can add a further Derby winner through

we will see him

Aside from Warning himself, whose Derby

Gufo (Belmont) and a Queensland Oaks (Gr

galloping

win over 2500 metres remains the furthest trip

1, 2200m) winner in Winning Ways, who is

runners from the

the four-year-old has tackled, just one other

also out of a Galileo mare. But above all, with a

clock

horse within the first three dams of Warning’s

French 2000 Guineas winner also to his name,

bloodlines suggest

pedigree page has won beyond 2000 metres.

he is showing class within the stallion ranks.

yes,

That is Moe Cup (2050m) winner Chattanooga

And that might be what Warning is relying on

the

(Scenic), who was beaten a nose in the Futurity

here.

the family of any

The cross between War Front/Declaration

Stakes (Gr 1, 1400m) in 2002. His dam, Livia, a two-time winner who

Of War and mares by Galileo has produced

finished a length away in fourth in the Edward

five Group 1 winners, with War Front’s three-

Manifold Stakes (Gr 2, 1610m), was a runner-up

time Group 1 winners Roly Poly and US Navy

over 2000 metres at Mornington, while her only

Flag as well as Woodbine Summer Stakes (Gr 1,

other foal to race is

1m) winner Fog Of War, adding to Warning and

six-time winner to a

Winning Ways.

mile, Galaxy Gazer

Yet there’s no doubting Warning’s class. In

(Astronomer Royal).

his ten races including and since the Derby in

Declaration

tower,

his

although absence

Anthony Freedman

immediate staying prowess gives cause for concern.

ANDREW’S ASSESSMENT

2019, Warning has raced in elite level Group 1

Warning has shaped a Melbourne Cup

himself,

events in eight of those and, although finishing

candidate all preparation, flashing home

although having just

down the track in the Caulfield Cup on his

at each of his first two runs this campaign

four crops of racing

most recent outing, a length defeat in fifth

before producing a poor effort in the

age,

Sam Freedman

beyond

War

showing

behind Verry Elleegant in this year’s Turnbull

Caulfield Cup.

his versatility as a

Stakes (Gr 1, 2000m) suggests he should not be

A return to Flemington is a plus but,

stallion

discounted on grounds of class.

in as strong a Melbourne Cup as this,

through

horses that would make sense have to be opposed. It would be fitting if, in the year that legendary 1992 Melbourne Cup winner Subzero died, a horse sporting the Freedman colours were to win the race that stops the nation. However, all being equal, it’s tough to see Warning threatening in a Melbourne Cup. He could make it into the top ten, but it is difficult to see him in the finish.

Declaration Of War

KITCHWIN HILL STUD

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THE STORY

Elleegant in the Turnbull and a third to Russian Camelot in the SA Derby. Now in partnership with his son, Sam,

he task assigned to Warning is

the training duo are looking to continue

clear: become just the second

the Freedmans’ prestigious affair with the

Derby winner to claim a Melbourne

Melbourne Cup, having won the race on five

Cup since the great Phar Lap (Night

occasions, a record only bettered by the great

Raid) in 1930.

ANZ Bloodstock Melbourne Cup supplement 2020

Bart Cummings.

The four-year-old bolted in to claim the

This has been his target all preparation.

prestigious Derby prize in 2019, defeating

And, despite finishing 12th in the Caulfield

Southern Moon (Puissance De Lune) by three

Cup on his most recent outing, he returns to

and a quarter lengths, announcing himself as a

his favoured Flemington, the scene of his most

potential future star and giving trainer Anthony

crowning moment and two career wins.

Luke Currie

SPORTPIX

Freedman a first Derby victory as a solo trainer,

Furthermore, with the horse having never

having previously trained in partnership with

raced beyond the 2500 metres of his Derby

in his left fore foot, which, although passing the

his brother, Lee.

success, the case is there that he is very much

assessment, offers some cause for concern for

unexposed over the two mile journey, although

punters.

It could be said that promise has not yet been fulfilled. It will be a year and a day since Warning

the jury is very much out whether he will stay the trip.

For a horse purchased for just $65,000, he has repaid his owners in spades having

last tasted success. However, while there is

Warning’s place in the field was in doubt

collected over $1.5 million in prize-money

no substitute for winning, this is a horse that

in the earlier part of the week, with the horse

and a Melbourne Cup success would elevate

has plied his trade consistently at the elite

under an injury cloud and needing to pass a

this once Derby winner to a legend of the

level since then, with narrow defeats to Verry

final vet check after presenting with lameness

Flemington turf.

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20 NO.

FACT BOX

BREEDER: MR M LUPTON, MRS C R LUPTON, MR T C REID, MR G R HOWES OWNER: MR M LUPTON, MRS C R LUPTON, MR T C REID, MR G R HOWES FOALING DATE: NOVEMBER 20, 2012 SOUTHERN HEMISPHERE AGE: 8 WEIGHT: 52.5KG CAREER STATS: 31:8-2-1 WIN/PLACE PERCENTAGES: 26%/35% EARNINGS: $1,226,494 LAST 10 STARTS: 746416341X0 DISTANCES WON AT: 1 (1600M), 1 (2000M), 1 (2218M), 1 (2300M), 1 (2420M), 1 (2500M), 1 (2600M), 1 (3200M) BIGGEST WIN: SYDNEY CUP (GR 1, 3200M); RANDWICK; APRIL 11, 2020 BEST MELBOURNE CUP EFFORT: FIRST ATTEMPT ADJUSTED RACING POST RATING: 127 OPENING ODDS (AUGUST 27): $101 FINAL FIELD ODDS (OCTOBER 31): $10

ETAH JAMES CIARON MAHER AND DAVID EUSTACE

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BARRIER DRAW: 22

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PEDIGREE ANALYSIS

tah James - named for At Last singer Etta James, but with a different spelling to reflect her dam Etah (Danasinga) - comes from a family

that has produced plenty of winners but few stakes performers. In fact, from her first five dams, there is only one stakes winner - Etah’s sister Tickle, a Group

fillies Banks Hill (Danehill), Intercontinental

five seasons, he only served seven mares for

3 winner on both sides of the Tasman.

(Danehill) and Heat Haze (Green Desert);

five foals in 2015, while in 2016, he covered 12

and Group 1 winners Cacique (Danehill) and

mares with seven live foals reported.

Nor is there much form beyond 2100 metres

Champs Elysees (Danehill).

amongst her family members.

In Etah James, he had his first Group 1

Her stamina comes from her regally-bred

With bloodlines like that, it is no surprise

winner when she won the Sydney Cup earlier

sire Raise The Flag (Sadler’s Wells), a daughter

that he had his backers at stud, even though

this year, while other standout performers of

of one of Juddmonte’s most prolific producers

he only raced once for a midfield finish at

his have included Newcastle Gold Cup (Gr

Hasili (Kahyasi).

Longchamp.

3, 2300m) winner Broadside, Sandown Cup

Raise The Flag is a half-brother to leading

Leased by White Robe Stud on the outskirts

(Listed, 3200m) victor Yogi and Jericho Cup

sire Dansili (Danehill), sire of fellow Melbourne

of Dunedin, he is now serving his 11th season at

(4600m) and Grand Annual Steeplechase

Cup

the farm. While he served big books in his first

(5500m) conqueror Ablaze.

runner

Stratum

Albion;

champion

THE STORY

However, a win in December’s Pakenham Cup (Listed, 2500m) began her path to the main

event this time around.

all time should she manage to take

3200m), but it was her win in the Sydney Cup

out the Sydney Cup (Gr 1, 3200m)-Melbourne

that cemented her as a potential Melbourne

Cup double in the same year for the first time

Cup contender.

tah James would provide something

Crossing the Tasman once again, she

of a throwback to one of the most

ran well for third in the Avondale Cup (Gr 2,

popular Melbourne Cup winners of

2400m) and fourth in the Auckland Cup (Gr 1,

since Makybe Diva in 2005.

ANDREW’S ASSESSMENT Carbine, Makybe Diva and Etah James?

Only two horses have won the Sydney Cup

Sounds fanciful, really.

The frequent trans-Tasman traveller was

and the Melbourne Cup in the same year and they

Etah James has achieved remarkable

bred, part-owned and - for a time - trained by

are two of the race’s greatest winners: Carbine

success given her humble beginnings,

Mark Lupton, nephew of Snowy Lupton, who

(Musket) and Makybe Diva (Desert King).

but it is hard to see her finding another

prepared 1983 Melbourne Cup winner Kiwi

Etah James is one of three runners for

peak as an eight-year-old.

Ciaron Maher and David Eustace, while it will

Her Moonee Valley Cup run was good

Beginning her career in Australia as a late four-

be a first Cup mount for 30-year-old rider Billy

enough and she will be improved up

year-old, she broke her maiden at Mildura and was

Egan. He will be aiming to win his first Group

to 3200 metres, but she simply looks

a winner of a Benchmark 58 event at Mildura.

1, too.

to have too much to find in this year’s

(Blarney Kiss).

Melbourne Cup.

In fact, she would then climb through the grades

She will probably perform better than I

rapidly and, within months of that Benchmark 58, she was a stakes winner, taking out the Lord Reims Stakes (Gr 3, 2600m) at Morphettville. After a plain spring in 2018, she crossed the Tasman for a preparation beginning in New Zealand before heading to Queensland and then Victoria. Last year, she was racing on the Cup undercard, finishing sixth in the race known as

ETAH JAMES IS ONE OF THREE RUNNERS FOR CIARON MAHER AND DAVID EUSTACE, WHILE IT WILL BE A FIRST CUP MOUNT FOR 30-YEAR-OLD RIDER BILLY EGAN. HE WILL BE AIMING TO WIN HIS FIRST GROUP 1, TOO

The Macca’s Run (2800m); she finished sixth.

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have her marked, but given the class in this year’s contest, it’s hard to elevate her much further than the bottom five or six.

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Saturday, September 28, 2019

STEVE MORAN It’s a case of Feehan versus Craiglee in Sunday’s Underwood

BY STEVE MORAN | @STEVEM_MORAN

f recent history is any guide, then Western Australian galloper Gatting faces a monumental task to repeat his Eastern seaboard debut in the Group 1

Not only does the son of Hard Spun have

READ TODAY'S STEVE MORAN COLUMN - PAGE 11

to defy the usually huge odds against longshot

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Smith rejuvenates veteran Black Heart Bart to win second Underwood

Stallion Watch

Longshot retiree upsets favourite Homesman in Caulfield Group 1

Sale - Day 1

What's On:

Stakes races: Rosehill (NSW) - Golden Rose

Read Tomorrow's Issue For: What's on

Stephen Quality (Gr 3, 2400m), Heritage

Stakes winners has managed to(Listed, win1100m) another race Stakes - Mornington (VIC)

Race meetings: Leeton (NSW), Tamworth (NSW), Geelong (VIC), Northam (WA)

- R.M. Ansett Classic (Listed, 2400m) -

during the spring which is Belmont verily(WA) dumbfounding - Birthday Stakes

Sales: Fasig-Tipton Midlantic Fall Yearling

(Listed, 1200m)

and must cast some doubt over its Group 1 status Metropolitan meetings: Rosehill (NSW),