3 minute read
Gelding cherry ripe ahead of third attack at Melbourne Cup
He couldn’t have come out of his run in the Caulfield Cup any better, he is bouncing and trotted up sound for the vets on Thursday and they were pleased with him. He looks great and we’re really pleased with him.
Initially I was disappointed with his run in the Caulfield Cup, I just thought with some more luck he would have gone very, very close, but the more I think about it the happier I am with the run. At the end of the day the Melbourne Cup has always been the number 1 target, so as far as having him cherry ripe for that it was very important that he didn’t have a hard run before the big one.
Myself and the owner were so happy with Jamie’s ride and I think the most important thing is that he ran for her, which he clearly did. I think she will know him a lot better next time and Flemington will be a completely different kettle of fish. Riding Caulfield first-up on a horse you have never sat on, from a wide draw in the Caulfield Cup was always going to be difficult and to absolutely nail it was a big ask. She will know him a lot better and in the Cup there is far less pressure on the start. I think we can slot in wherever we want.
I have been thinking a lot recently, there is such a big difference this year than the last two years and one big plus for us, is that for the last couple of years he had to be absolutely spot on for the race just to get into the big one, we have had to win just to get a run in the race. This year we haven’t had to do that, he’s been primed to be spot on for the Melbourne Cup. Of course, he has run big races in the Melbourne Cup, but who knows what the Geelong Cup or the Lexus took out of him in the lead up to the race last year. This year is so different, he’s gone there, had a really nice prep run and he’s always won his second start in Australia and this time the Melbourne Cup will be his second start - which I think bodes very well. There are a lot of big pluses without even taking into account that I don’t think it’s as strong a race as it has been for the last two years.
In terms of performances in the Caulfield Cup, I thought that Anthony Van Dyck ran remarkably well, but lumping that weight around Flemington will be a very, very different prospect for the first time over the distance and as good a run as that was I think it will take a remarkable performance from him to back up in the Melbourne Cup. I wasn’t surprised to see Verry Elleegant win, I had her down as the horse to beat going into it, but again a step up to two miles will be a big ask, especially at the end as what has already been a busy preparation for her, but if anyone can get her ready for it is Chris Waller.
I still think the horse to beat is Tiger Moth, but I think Surprise Baby could also run well. I thought his run in the Cup last year was very, very good considering his shocking luck in running. His build up doesn’t seem to be overly impressive to the eye, but the way Australians prepare for races is very different to way we do, but if he comes into the race in the same form as he did last year - and that is obviously the question mark - I think he has to be there or thereabouts. But really there are few horses who have had a better preparation than Prince Of Arran, there are so few question marks regarding him - there really is no horse in the field I don’t feel he can beat.
People have been asking me where I will be watching it and I think we’re going to have a few people round and watch the racing from Flemington together. I have found it OK not being there so far, but I know as we get closer to the race it will really hit home that we’re not in Melbourne.
In a pretty short training career Melbourne has been without doubt the highlight of my career to date and it has been a huge part as my life and progression as a trainer. I have no idea what will come in the future, but you don’t get many chances to run in a Melbourne Cup and you definitely do not have many chances to have one of the favourites and this will be the first time he will go off as one of the fancied runners. I may never have another runner in the Melbourne Cup, there are very, very good trainers in Europe who never have a runner in the Melbourne Cup. I am totally aware how lucky I have been. Prince Of Arran is the horse of a lifetime and he has come to me very early in my career and to miss out on the opportunity to go over and see him run in one of the biggest races in the world it will be incredibly sad. There will be mixed emotions in the build up and of course after the race, especially if he wins, because I will be absolutely over the moon if he goes and does it, but it will unbelievably strange not being there. I will be incredibly excited heading into the race but there will be a large twinge of sadness that we’re not out there, because I have loved Melbourne, loved everything about the build up, loved all the people I have met over there, especially the press who have been an utter pleasure to deal with down there and I will be very sad to miss out on all of that.
On race day he will be in the best hands, with Aled looking after him and my good friend David Eustace will be putting the saddle on for me and of course Chaz McGladdery will be carrying the famous water bucket, I just hope he ups his game from the first year!
