“It would be everything (to win a Cup) … this is what you work towards, to have horses in races like this”

Annabel Neasham says you can’t discount her $61 roughie Numerian from running a competitive race in Tuesday’s $8 million Melbourne Cup. Add a bit more water to the track, and her confidence will rise.

Annabel Neasham is looking to become the third ‘official’ female trainer to win the Melbourne Cup. Picture: Sam D'Agostino

Annabel Neasham believes her import Numerian shouldn’t be discounted in Tuesday’s Melbourne Cup, particularly if the heavens continue to open.

Numerian was a solid fifth in the Caulfield Cup, beaten just over a length, and has never finished further back than that in his past six runs.

James McDonald riding Numerian and Raphael Marchelli riding Regal Lion during the Breakfast With The Stars at Flemington Racecourse. Picture: Vince Caligiuri–Getty Images

While most form assessors have questioned whether that form is good enough to be winning a Melbourne Cup, Neasham says the $61 chance can be competitive if the conditions suit.

“He is as honest as the day is long,” Neasham said of Numerian, a son of Holy Roman Emperor who won the Gosford Cup (2080m) and the Q22 at Eagle Farm earlier this year.

“The two miles is the only query, but to be honest, it is the query with a lot of these horses.

“All I know is that he wears his heart on his sleeve and he is a very tough horse.

“He hasn’t run a bad race since he has been in the country, so I don’t see why he would run a bad race on Tuesday.

Numerian led all the way to win the Group 2 Q22 under jockey Tommy Berry for trainer Annabel Neasham. Picture: Grant Peters–Trackside Photography.

“I think he would like a slightly economical run. The barrier (seven) should enable that.”

Only two female trainers have officially trained the winner of a Melbourne Cup – Sheila Laxon and Gai Waterhouse.

Gai Waterhouse holds the 2013 Melbourne Cup aloft after winning with Fiorente. Picture: Colleen Petch

But A.W. ‘Granny’ McDonald won the race with Catalogue in 1938, even though the VRC credited her husband as the trainer because at the time they did not permit female trainers.

The Argus newspaper called Catalogue’s win “a victory for women”.

Neasham has made a massive impression on Australian training ranks since a working holiday from her native England turned into a thriving training business halfway around the world that has already delivered six Group 1s in the space of two years.

Racehorse trainer Sheila Laxon and horse Ethereal at Macedon in 2001.

“It would be everything (to win a Cup),” she said. “This is what you work towards, to have horses in races like this. They are extremely hard to win, but we will be trying our hardest.”

Originally published as “It would be everything (to win a Cup) … this is what you work towards, to have horses in races like this”