Trainers Ciaron Maher and David Eustace to take their time on Cox Plate decision for Melbourne Cup bound Gold Trip
Gold Trip has pulled up happy and sound from the Caulfield Cup, but a decision on the Cox Plate to be reserved until Monday or even Tuesday.
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Ciaron Maher and David Eustace will take their time to decide whether Gold Trip runs in the $5m Cox Plate (2040m) at The Valley on Saturday.
The reigning Melbourne Cup winner has pulled up happy and sound after placing third in the Caulfield Cup.
The Maher-Eustace Caulfield Cup quartet recorded top-10 finishes in the Cup with Gold Trip (3rd), Right You Are (5th), Duke De Sessa (9th) and emergency United Nations (10th).
“We’re very happy, they were nice and sound this morning all four,” Eustace said on Sunday.
“No complaints, the ground was in good condition and the horses handled it really well.”
Right You Are will be aimed at the Melbourne Cup, along with United Nations potentially.
Duke De Sessa options include the Queen Elizabeth Stakes at Flemington in Cup Week or wait until the Zipping Classic at Caulfield in December.
Gold Trip is the most pressing decision for the stable, with the Cox Plate final field and barrier draw on Tuesday morning at The Valley.
“We really haven’t had that conversation yet,” Eustace said.
“Obviously we wanted to see how he was this morning, he’s fine and we’ll look to get him to the beach a couple of times.
“We haven’t got a long time, but we’ve got a bit of time to work it out over the next couple of days, again ground is going to come into consideration.
“It looks like it’s going to be a fairly dry week to be honest, I’m sure The Valley will have it in good order anyway.
“It’s day-by-day, you’re not writing it off, by any means, but we’re not penning it in, either.”
Gold Trip is a $7 equal third favourite with TAB in the all-in Cox Plate market.
Regular jockey Mark Zahra, who won the Caulfield Cup last Saturday on Without A Fight, will ride Gold Trip in the Cox Plate, should he take his place in the final field.
Meanwhile, Anthony and Sam Freedman-trained Without A Fight will be aimed at the Melbourne Cup after he too pulled up well on Sunday.
Originally published as Trainers Ciaron Maher and David Eustace to take their time on Cox Plate decision for Melbourne Cup bound Gold Trip
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