SA trainer ‘delighted’ with The Map ahead of MRC Foundation Cup at Caulfield
The Map is flying in her trackwork and set to make a Melbourne Cup statement on Saturday in the Group 3 MRC Foundation Cup at Caulfield.
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South Australia’s Melbourne Cup hope The Map is flying, with her trainers “delighted” with her ahead of Saturday’s Group 3 MRC Foundation Cup (2000m) at Caulfield.
On the same day it was announced that she would carry the 50kg minimum weight in the Melbourne Cup, The Map turned in one of her sharpest pieces of trackwork, leaving trainers Dan Clarken and Oopy MacGillivray buoyed ahead of Saturday’s second-up run.
“Her last little piece of work Tuesday morning was absolutely outstanding, we couldn’t be more delighted,” MacGillivray said.
“If she runs up to her last piece of work, she’ll be right there at the pointy end.”
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Tuesday morning’s gallop at Murray Bridge was further vindication that The Map has come through her first-up run in the Listed Leon Macdonald Stakes (1400m) at Morphettville in fine fettle.
“She showed that terrific turn of foot she’s got, (if) she gets a nice run in transit on Saturday and gets to build her rhythm, she’ll show that turn of foot,” she said.
“If the gaps open at the right time, she might give a few of them a fright.”
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The mare finished ninth in the Leon Macdonald – beaten 3¾ lengths – hitting the line strongly after missing bungling the start.
“She just turned her head to the side, which she does occasionally do in the gates,” she said.
“Maggie (Collett) actually called ‘wait’, there was a man up with her in the stalls, he probably expected the starter to wait, and he was still holding onto her.
“It wasn’t the perfect execution, but (there’s) nothing we can do about it now, she came through it well and she finished off outstandingly well, onwards and upwards.”
The Map will be ridden by 33-time Group 1-winning jockey Craig Newitt on Saturday, and is a $13 hope with TAB fixed odds.
“He’s (Newitt) on fire. He rode a double the other weekend. He’s been riding really well and confidently, he’s a very experienced rider,” MacGillivray said.
“We’ve got a good Tassie boy on a lovely Tassie mare, that’s a nice story too.”
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MacGillivray was pleased to see The Map given the minimum weight for the race that stops the nation.
“It puts her right in the picture,” she said.
“If she’s improved a few lengths, and she’s up against horses that are carrying two, three or four kilos more, it gives her every opportunity to outstay them.”
Clarken and MacGillivray are still eyeing the Group 2 Herbert Power Stakes (2400m) on October 12, but haven’t ruled out a Group 1 Caulfield Cup (October 19) tilt.
“That’s still our thought pattern, however, if she flies around Caulfield, or heaven forbid wins on Saturday, then we wouldn’t discount having a crack at the Caulfield Cup.”
The Map is currently a $26 chance with TAB’s all-in market for the Melbourne Cup.
Originally published as SA trainer ‘delighted’ with The Map ahead of MRC Foundation Cup at Caulfield
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