Melbourne Cup winner could be heading back to Headquarters
The biggest name in Australian staying ranks could provide a major hurdle to a string of aspirants looking to force their way into November’s Melbourne Cup.
SuperRacing
Don't miss out on the headlines from SuperRacing. Followed categories will be added to My News.
The pathway for a string of aspirants into November’s Melbourne Cup via next month’s ballot-exempt The Andrew Ramsden could be blocked by the biggest name in Australian staying ranks – Vow And Declare.
Faced with a compromised Queensland program, trainer Danny O’Brien is now considering heading back to Flemington with the 2019 Melbourne Cup winner, who is already guaranteed a Cup start on November 3.
“The Ramsden is on his favourite track, it’s weight-for-age so he would be well suited,” O’Brien said.
“We’ll get him home here and assess him before making a plan.”
Unsuited by being ridden close to the speed in Saturday’s Queen Elizabeth Stakes (2000m) at Randwick, Vow And Declare finished ninth – the worst placing of his career since reaching the elite.
“He was ridden upside down,” O’Brien said.
“He was out of his normal pattern. Glen (Boss) said he was very fresh, he pinged the machine and was too close in the run.”
The Ramsden (2800m) on May 16 is restricted to three, four and five-year-olds.
O’Brien initially intended to largely repeat the program which last year carried Vow And Declare to Flemington glory with up to three runs in Queensland before a return to Victoria.
“At the moment it’s very difficult because you can’t take any of your own people because of the (coronavirus) restrictions,” O’Brien said.
“Until those restrictions are lifted, Queensland is unfortunately off the table.”
If Vow And Declare heads to the Ramsden, he could clash with stablemate and Adelaide Cup winner King Of Leogrance.
The Ramsden could be an even stronger version than last season when Steel Prince held off Surprise Baby in an epic finish.
Several lead-up races, including the VRC St Leger, offer a guaranteed place into the Ramsden for the winner.
The winner of the Ramsden will be exempt from ballot in this year’s Melbourne Cup.
MONDAY RACEBOOK
Far more than simply a case of right place, right time, Tom Marquand has capitalised superbly on his unexpectedly long riding stint in Sydney.
The young Englishman ventured to Australia in the summer, immediately impressing with his strength and balance.
Since returning to Cheltenham before coming back to Australia, principally to ride Young Rascal and Addeybb, Marquand has gone to another level.
With two autumn Group 1s to his credit, including Saturday’s Queen Elizabeth Stakes on Addeybb, Marquand has become one of the most sought jockeys in Sydney.
He has another busy day at Warwick Farm on Monday and will ride at Saturday’s All-Aged Stakes meeting before flying back to the UK.
*********
April’s drenching start has been a blessing and a curse to track managers but, despite carping criticism, those with one the toughest jobs in racing continue to defy the odds.
Jason Kerr had to deal with soaking rains before Caulfield’s meeting, presenting a soft 6 surface – not to mention the inconvenience of a burst water pipe near the 450m and raking winds.
When on-pacer Diala saluted in the first race, the usual murmurings of track bias echoed through the Twitterverse.
By day’s end, it was clear winners came from everywhere, with wind – as usual – more of a factor than bias.
On-pacers Leale, Inverloch and Bam’s On Fire successfully raced to their pattern.
Order Of Command, who sat fourth, Royal Crown (sixth in running) and Kentucky Breeze (midfield) all proved it was possible to finish over the top of the speed, while Mystery Love stormed from last to win.
*********
Little wonder Glen Boss is a huge Away Game fan.
Since debuting last spring, the $475,000 purchase has rattled up four wins and $2.7million in stakes.
Prominent in the two-year-old majors – Blue Diamond (fourth) and Golden Slipper (second) – and winner of four races including the Magic Millions and Saturday’s Group 2 Percy Sykes Stakes, the Snitzel filly is a bona fide star.
Boss believes Ciaron Maher and David Eustace’s charge is the best of her age group.
“My vote (is) she is two-year-old of the year. She has just done an incredible job,” Boss said.
“It’s just her enthusiasm. I reckon if she goes out to the paddock she might sulk because she won’t be in her normal routine. She just loves being in work.”
*********
An inadvertent breach of COVID-19 protocols has cost apprentice Lachie King $1000.
King accidentally walked into the wrong jockeys’ room at Bendigo on Wednesday.
Victorian riders are split into two groups – green and gold – as a coronavirus safeguard.
Part of the green group, King walked into the gold group’s room out of habit.
He was stood down from his rides and had his temperature taken before being sent home.
Cleared of any infection fears, King rode at Caulfield on Saturday and has three mounts at Sandown today (Monday).
THE WEEK AHEAD
Racing resumes today at Sandown before heading to Sale tomorrow.
Geelong races Wednesday before Wangaratta (day) and Pakenham share Thursday’s billing.
Kyneton (day) and Cranbourne (night) are Friday’s fixtures before action returns Caulfield for the third successive week for the Victorian owners and breeders race day.
The Heath meeting is crowned by the VOBIS Showdown offering $855,000 prizemoney.
The program also offers a string of lucrative VOBIS contests including the Gold Dash, Sires Guineas, Gold Sprint, Gold Mile, Gold Heath, Gold Distaff and the Listed Bel Esprit Stakes.
Ararat also races Saturday while Pakenham and Terang (Cup) hold meetings on Sunday.