‘Love his tenacity … off to the Melbourne Cup now’: Athabascan too strong in St Leger at Royal Randwick on The Everest Day

Athabascan raced his way into Melbourne Cup contention with a tough staying effort in the Everest Day opener at Royal Randwick on Saturday.

Athabascan raced his way into Melbourne Cup contention with a tough staying effort in the Everest Day opener at Royal Randwick on Saturday.

Trainer John O’Shea confirmed plans to run Athabascan in the famous Flemington two-miler after he took out the Group 3 $500,000 ATC St Leger (2600m).

“The Melbourne Cup has been on our agenda all season, we just needed a positive run today to get him back in the game,’’ said O’Shea, who trains in partnership with Tom Charlton.

“I think he drops five or six kilos into the Cup and he’ll run a very good race because he’s a good two-miler.”

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Athabascan ($6.50), ridden by Tommy Berry, fought off Wyclif ($10) to win by a short head with Waltham ($6.50) a half-length away third.

Alegron, the $4.20 favourite who is also on the Cup trail, never really got into the contest and finished seventh.

O’Shea said Athabascan’s effort to hold off Wyclif is a “reflection that he’s a two-miler”.

The first feature on #TABEverest day goes to Athabascan who wins the G3 St Leger Stakes in a thriller for @JohnOSheaRacing and @TommyBerry21 🙌@aus_turf_clubpic.twitter.com/pbsmvFAJVt

— SKY Racing (@SkyRacingAU) October 19, 2024

“He just probably lacks the speed of a horse like Wyclif, who’s got a lovely turn of speed at a mile-and-a-half, but my bloke is a genuine two-miler,’’ O’Shea said.

“We’ve been so happy with him, we haven’t been disappointed with him, but he just hasn’t had circumstances to suit. Today he got them and he got the job done.’’

Berry admitted Athabascan “took a bit of riding” but was impressed by the gelding’s stamina reserves.

“I love his tenacity,’’ Berry said. “When Jason Collett came up on the runner-up, he just put him to the sword and found a way to win – off to the Melbourne Cup now.’’

Originally published as ‘Love his tenacity … off to the Melbourne Cup now’: Athabascan too strong in St Leger at Royal Randwick on The Everest Day