Joseph O’Brien-trained Al Riffa on the Melbourne Cup trail after Curragh Cup romp

Irish trainer Joseph O’Brien could have a top contender for his third Melbourne Cup after Al Riffa’s dominant win in the Group 2 Curragh Cup, a proven form reference for the first Tuesday in November.

Irish trainer Joseph O'Brien could have a shot at his third Melbourne Cup win after Al Riffa’s easy win in the Group 2 Curragh Cup in Ireland. Picture: PA Images via Getty

Irish trainer Joseph O’Brien might have found the spearhead for his bid for a third Melbourne Cup win at Flemington in November.

O’Brien won the 2017 and 2020 Melbourne Cups with Rekindling and Twilight Payment respectively but did not have a runner in last year’s edition of Australia’s greatest race.

However, O’Brien could be back at Flemington on the first Tuesday in November after Al Riffa’s dominant win in Saturday’s Group 2 Curragh Cup in Ireland.

The five-year-old stallion, by Wootton Bassett, strolled to a five-length win in the 1-¾ mile (about 2800m) contest under jockey Dylan Brown-McMonagle, who has previously ridden with success in Melbourne.

Bookmakers immediately reacted, promoting Al Riffa to the second line of Melbourne Cup betting at $15 behind $11 favourites Sir Delius, Vauban and Via Sistina.

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O’Brien’s stable representative Kevin Blake said Al Riffa relished the rise in distance but would probably get his chance to show his Melbourne Cup credentials in the coming weeks.

“He was very relaxed and Dylan said he was a very easy ride over that trip,” Blake told local media.

“I’d say it’s most likely that he’ll go straight to the Irish St Leger from here.

“There is a possibility of the Pries Von Berlin he won last year but I’d say it’s more likely he’ll go straight to the Irish Leger.

“The Melbourne Cup is in the mind thereafter.

“We all know what comes with that but it’s what we’d like to do, if we’re allowed.”

• Brad Waters’ Blackbook: Horses to follow from Flemington on Saturday

O’Brien has used the Curragh Cup as part of the preparation for both of his Melbourne Cup winners.

Both Rekindling and Twilight Payment won the Curragh Cup before their Melbourne Cup triumphs.

Melbourne Spring Carnival favourite Red Cadeaux claimed the Curragh Cup in 2011 before finishing second to French galloper Dunaden in one of the closest Melbourne Cup finishes in history later that year.

Al Riffa was a Group 1 winner in Ireland as a two-year-old before progressing to score at Group 1 level in Germany last year.

Originally published as Joseph O’Brien-trained Al Riffa on the Melbourne Cup trail after Curragh Cup romp