Melbourne Cup ‘dream’ alive for American stayer The Grey Wizard after Belmont Gold Cup triumph

American stayer The Grey Wizard secures Melbourne Cup ticket with victory in the Belmont Gold Cup in New York.

American syndicators Eclipse Racing could be in line for a second Melbourne Cup Carnival success after The Grey Wizard booked a ticket to Australia’s most iconic race on Friday.

The Graham Motion-trained galloper charged to victory in the Group 2 Belmont Gold Cup (3219m) in New York from Champagne Juan and Limited Liability.

Popular Melbourne caller Matt Hill commentated the Cup qualifier at Saratoga for the US broadcast.

Eclipse Racing won the 2017 VRC Oaks with Pinot, trained by Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott.

THE GREY WIZARD wins the Grade 2 Belmont Gold Cup and a Golden Ticket to the Melbourne Cup at @FlemingtonVRC under @ljlmvel for @GrahamMotion! pic.twitter.com/CCXepGsUED

— Belmont Stakes (@BelmontStakes) June 6, 2024

Thrilled with the result, after being runner-up in the Belmont Gold Cup last year, Motion said the Melbourne Cup entry “is nice to think about”.

“I love the concept,” Motion told reporters at Saratoga.

“But ask me in October or November about it. I love international racing and I love this idea, but it’s a huge undertaking.”

Aron Wellman, founder of Eclipse, embraced the Melbourne Cup dream.

“It’s a little early to get too far ahead of ourselves but it’s a nice thing to dream about … it’s one of the most coveted races on the planet and to know the people associated with the Melbourne Cup hold this race (Belmont Gold Cup) in such high esteem that they would give the winner an automatic berth is very exciting.”

The Grey Wizard’s victory was emotion-charged as late owner Albert Frassetto died last month.

The Belmont Gold Cup has been won by Loft (2022), Baron Samedi (2021), Amade (2019) and Red Cardinal (2017), all of whom ended up in racing in Australia.

Originally published as Melbourne Cup ‘dream’ alive for American stayer The Grey Wizard after Belmont Gold Cup triumph