3 minute read

Flemington or the bush – it makes no difference these days to Irish jockey John Allen after he continued his tremendous run of Melbourne Cup carnival success with a win in the Ararat Cup on Sunday for trainer Darren Weir.

Allen was coming off a memorable week that saw him win four races at Flemington including two G1 races in the Victoria Derby and Mackinnon Stakes and end the carnival equal at the top of the rider standings with Craig Williams.

Allen, who was better known as a jumps jockey when he started riding in Victoria, has won 47 races the season and sits second on both the Melbourne and Victorian premierships.

He combined with Weir, who was leading trainer at the Flemington carnival with six wins, to win Sunday’s $70,000 Ararat Cup with Andrea Mantegna.

Andrea Mantegna gave Weir his fourth win in the western Victoria feature race when the 6YO beat last start Mortlake Cup winner Hipparchus and stablemate Master Of Design.

Andrea Mantegna changed ownership at the 2018 Great Southern Sale for $100,000 and will now be set for the Listed Ballarat Cup on November 24.

Weir also won the $82,000 Ararat China Bowl on Sunday with Choisborder, ridden by Harry Coffey, in a track record time of 1.15.78 for the 1300m.

Choisborder was also sold for $34,000 at the Great Southern Sale and has since won four races.