Melbourne Cup winner Gold Trip set to chase history and win the race back-to-back
Ciaron Maher and David Eustace delighted with Cox Plate run ... and so it seems are the punters, with the defending champ a notable Melbourne Cup shortener.
Reigning Melbourne Cup winner Gold Trip is set for a light week as Ciaron Maher plots back-to-back success on the first Tuesday in November.
Gold Trip impressed in the Cox Plate to run fifth at The Valley, only beaten 1.4 lengths behind Hong Kong champion Romantic Warrior.
“I’m very happy, they just eased up a fraction in the middle there and with the firm deck, but he hit the line super,” Maher said.
ROMANTIC WARRIOR!
— Racing.com (@Racing) October 28, 2023
The Hong Kong champion takes out the Cox Plate â@mcacajamez@HKJC_Racingpic.twitter.com/qy0iy83FpE
Gold Trip on Sunday shortened $5 into $4.50 with TAB for the Melbourne Cup.
Irish raider Vauban has remained a rock solid $4 favourite.
Cox Plate runner-up Mr Brightside will be aimed at the $3m Group 1 Champions Mile at Flemington during Melbourne Cup Week along with third-placed Alligator Blood.
Alligator Blood, who won the 1600m race last year, will also be entered for the Champions Stakes (2000m) as an alternative.
Hall of Fame trainer Gai Waterhouse lauded “champion” Alligator Blood’s Cox Plate effort.
“He was game, he was gallant in defeat,” Waterhouse said.
“Everyone who ran behind the Hong Kong horse (Romantic Warrior) is disappointed but I’m not disappointed in my horse, he’s fantastic, he’s a champion.
“Only champions come here (Cox Plate) and he fought out the finish.”
Mr Brightside and Alligator Blood are equal $3.50 favourite with TAB in the pre-nominations Champions Mile market.
Caulfield Cup runner-up West Wind Blows is the $3 favourite for the Champions Stakes from Alligator Blood ($6), Mr Brightside ($6) and Prowess ($6).
Duais, a luckless fourth in the Cox Plate, Fangirl and Zaaki, going for three straight Champions (Mackinnon Stakes), are $8 for the 2000m Group 1.
Originally published as Melbourne Cup winner Gold Trip set to chase history and win the race back-to-back
Jones claims first Group 1 triumph after Metrop protest fails
Reece Jones has waited patiently to win a Group 1 and there were a few nerves in the sterwards’ room after Land Legend claimed The Metropolitan at Randwick.
Everest prospects up in the Air after Premiere boilover
Airman capped a memorable day for Team Hawkes and left some serious questions on some high profile Everest hopefuls with an upset win at Royal Randwick on Saturday.
Lady Shenandoah superb in Flight Stakes romp
Trainer Chris Waller lost his number one seed, Autumn Glow, on the eve of the Group 1 Flight Stakes but his exciting filly Lady Shenandoah stood tall to claim the Group 1 at Randwick.