Ethan Brown eyes ‘hometown’ success in Mornington Cup with Future History
Popular jockey Ethan Brown has his sights on a coveted hometown Mornington Cup success following a “bittersweet” moment during last year’s race.
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In-form jockey Ethan Brown has sights on “hometown” Mornington Cup success with Future History on Saturday.
Brown endured a “bittersweet” Mornington Cup last year as a spectator, his first day back at the racetrack last year after life-threatening injuries in a race fall seven weeks earlier.
Brown supported fellow jockey and girlfriend Celine Gaudray at the races and cheered for Mornington Cup winner Right You Are, ridden by good mate Ben Allen.
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Allen dedicated the win to Brown as he had ridden Right You Are to victory four times earlier in the campaign.
“There was a great bunch of owners in Right You Are, it was great to see him win, a good mate Benny Allen was able to steer him to victory, but it was bittersweet,” Brown said.
“It’s definitely goal of mine to win one, a hometown cup, and I’ve certainly got a great chance Saturday.”
Future History is a $9.50 chance to salute third-up after building runs in the Group 2 Blamey Stakes and Group 3 Easter Cup.
Brown galloped the Ciaron Maher-trained Future History last Tuesday.
“He worked really strong, he’s really come on from that run (Easter Cup) the other day … I think he’s really going to improve.”
Future History tracked leader Deny Knowledge last start at Caulfield but peaked on the run late to finish sixth, beaten 1½ lengths.
The pacy six-year-old gelding won third-up last spring.
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He trained on to place second in a 2040m Benchmark 100 at The Valley before winning the Group 3 Bart Cummings (2520m) to qualify for the Melbourne Cup.
Future History finished second in the Group 2 Moonee Valley Gold Cup (2500m) then 15th in the Melbourne Cup.
The classy stayer could qualify for the Caulfield Cup with victory in the Mornington Cup.
“He’s got the weight to go with it (class), but he can overcome that,” Brown said.
“The 2400m is going to suit and he’s certainly fit enough to roll forward and roll along, he’ll give a good sight.”
Brown has second favourite Deny Knowledge to follow across the field from barrier seven on Saturday and hopefully set up a popular and emotional result.
“We all know she rolls along at a nice speed, she’s in the same boat, she’s going to improve off her last run,” Brown said.
“I’d be happy to be up there around her and run over the top of her late.”
Brown, a three-time Group 1 jockey, rode a double last Saturday at Bendigo.
He chimed in again last Wednesday with Steel Run, a nice debut winner at Caulfield Heath.
The 25-year-old has eight rides on Saturday, including Jigsaw in the Listed Hareeba Stakes and comeback galloper Ranveer in a Benchmark 70.
Ranveer placed second in the same race last year before another unfortunate setback.
“Ranveer is going great, he’s first-up off a long spell which is always a query, but he’s on the home track, in form trainer, a good gate, with a bit of luck he can attack the line,” Brown said.
“Big weight first-up, he’s got a bit against him but I think he’s going well enough to figure in the finish.”
Last chance to enter Melbourne Cup Tour
Applications for Australian communities to host the 2024 Melbourne Cup Tour close Friday.
It comes as Victoria Racing Club presented 2023 National Sweep winner Macedon with a $50,000 cash prize for nominated charity Living Legends.
The VRC has attracted about 100 entries from Australian communities vying to host the $600,000 18-carat gold People’s Cup this year.
A final field of 24 lucky towns go into the National Sweep Melbourne Cup barrier draw with a chance to win $50,000 for a charity partner.
Macedon hosted the Melbourne Cup Tour last October and celebrated when Without A Fight saluted from barrier 16 on the first Tuesday in November.
The People’s Cup has stopped at more than 640 destinations since the Melbourne Cup Tour started in 2003 including 482 schools, 401 hospitals and aged care facilities.
Living Legends at Oaklands Junction, six minutes from Melbourne Airport, is currently home to Cup winners Twilight Payment, Almandin, Prince Of Penzance, Efficient and Brew.
VRC chairman Neil Wilson said: “Living Legends is an excellent way for the community to connect with our elite equine athletes as they enjoy their retirement.
“The Lexus Melbourne Cup Tour and National Sweep are an important annual VRC event, and we encourage every community, no matter where they are located or how many residents call it home, to apply to host this year’s edition.”
Macedon Lodge chairman Mark Player added: “It was a privilege to host the Lexus Melbourne Cup Tour at Macedon and celebrate the rich history between the Cup and Macedon Lodge with the local community.
“The Macedon region is home to many horse enthusiasts and I am sure that they, along with the team at Macedon Lodge, are delighted to make this important donation to Living Legends, an organisation which plays a unique and highly important role in the racing industry.”
Applications can be made HERE.
Originally published as Ethan Brown eyes ‘hometown’ success in Mornington Cup with Future History
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