‘Just awesome’: The Map seals Melbourne Cup berth with victory in Andrew Ramsden at Flemington

South Australian raider The Map sealed an emotional victory at Flemington on Saturday for trainer and part-owner Oopy MacGillivray to book a place in the Melbourne Cup.

The Map ridden by Damian Lane wins the Lexus Andrew Ramsden at Flemington Racecourse on May 18, 2024 in Flemington, Australia. (Photo by Brett Holburt/Racing Photos via Getty Images)

South Australian raider The Map sealed an emotional victory at Flemington on Saturday for trainer and part-owner Oopy MacGillivray to book a place in the Melbourne Cup.

A “superb ride” from Melbourne premiership-leading jockey Damian Lane sealed the Listed Andrew Ramsden (2800m) for the tenacious and improving Tasmanian-bred five-year-old mare.

The Map, runner-up in the Adelaide Cup three starts back, let down strongly to win from the fast-finishing Mostly Cloudy and Excelleration.

MacGillivray lost her father, Charles Kimpton, 80, a fortnight ago, about 48 hours after The Map’s last win in Adelaide to cement the Andrew Ramsden raid.

“It’s been a phenomenal couple of weeks in my life, this is just awesome,” MacGillivray said.

“I’m not sure, I’m overexcited, I’m overwhelmed, she’s just a ripping horse, a beautiful horse.”

THE MAP IS GOING TO THE CUP 🏆

@LaneDamianpic.twitter.com/QSUtYoz2T1

— 7HorseRacing 🐎 (@7horseracing) May 18, 2024

Favourite The Map eased $2.80 to $3.80 on Saturday with TAB.

Lane summed up the race perfectly, moves from 800m mark onward largely decided the contest.

He got off the rail, rounding the bend, then sensed Dean Yendall’s urgency on Let’sbefrankbaby to get a tow into straight.

“I just needed something that was going to get me through, a lot of tired horses so I needed a bit of luck, I got onto Let’sbefrankbaby’s back at the right time,” Lane said.

The Map’s co-trainer Oopy MacGillivray celebrates The Map’s Andrew Ramsden victory. Picture: Reg Ryan / Racing Photos

Lane appreciated the significance of the win for MacGillivray and friends.

“Everyone dreams of having a runner in the Melbourne Cup, to help them be a part of it, especially under the circumstances recently, a tough time for the family,” Lane said.

“Must be a great thrill for them, to get a horse to this level, competing as well as she’s been, is a great achievement in itself and to get her a spot in the Melbourne Cup, even better.”

MacGillivray, who trains in partnership with Dan Clarken, said The Map would spend the next month in a paddock before attention turns to the spring program.

“The aim is, well, we’re in the Melbourne Cup, now to get her there fit, probably with no weight penalties, that will be our first plan,” MacGillivray said.

Originally published as ‘Just awesome’: The Map seals Melbourne Cup berth with victory in Andrew Ramsden at Flemington