Trainers set sights on Melbourne Cup with Muramasa after winning Queen Elizabeth Stakes at Flemington

Muramasa continued his surge through the staying ranks with victory in the Queen Elizabeth Stakes and next year’s Melbourne Cup is now on the agenda.

Muramasa surges clear to win the Queen Elizabeth Stakes at Flemington on Champions Day. Picture: Quinn Rooney/Getty Images

Cranbourne trainers Trent Busuttin and Natalie Young will attempt to outdo master horseman Chris Waller after Saturday’s Group 3 Queen Elizabeth Stakes (2600m).

Waller won last year’s Queen Elizabeth Stakes with imported galloper Soulcombe before that stayer returned almost a year to the day later to run a mighty second to Without A Fight in Tuesday’s Melbourne Cup.

Young immediately declared the camp had a Melbourne Cup dream for Muramasa after the $4.40 favourite defeated Ladies Man and Duke De Sessa in the $300,000 contest.

“This means he is qualified for the big race next year,” Young said.

“I thought he was going to turn into something one day and hopefully it is a Melbourne Cup horse.

“He’s got a real turn-of-foot and this race panned out for the goals in a year’s time.”

Make that three wins in a row ⚡️

In a competitive 2600m, MURAMASA claims victory in the Group 3 Queen Elizabeth Stakes.

📽 @10SportAU | #StakesDaypic.twitter.com/MLbKpaDyS6

— Victoria Racing Club (@FlemingtonVRC) November 11, 2023

Muramasa, a son of Japanese racing and breeding legend Deep Impact, was Group 3 placed as a three-year-old and ran fifth in last year’s Victoria Derby.

However, a below-par autumn preparation revealed a wind issue, which required surgery while connections also decided to geld him, ending any thought of a breeding career.

Either or both operations were the catalyst for Muramasa’s surge through the staying ranks, which could continue in the $750,000 Group 2 Zipping Classic at Caulfield on December 2.

“We’ve just got to keep it together for the Zipping on 2 December so he might do that,” Young said.

“Just has to pull up well.”

Muramasa’s jockey Daniel Moor said he was concerned with his mount’s attitude after the mounting yard parade but he was able to get the four-year-old to the rail despite some tricky early moments.

“Once I got down the back, a good jockey – Steven Arnold – says always go to the rail and rest,” Moor said.

“The main thing was to get him to rest and I knew he’d be strong late. He presented a little early because the run presented and I had to go.

“Even though he was having a bit of a wander late he was very good.”

TAB promoted Muramasa to $26 in its 2024 Melbourne Cup market.

Originally published as Trainers set sights on Melbourne Cup with Muramasa after winning Queen Elizabeth Stakes at Flemington