Northern invaders Prince Of Arran and True Self plot desert tilt en route to 2020 Melbourne Cup

Spring carnival stars Prince Of Arran and True Self could be poised to use the world’s richest race — the $28 million Saudi Cup — to kickstart their return journey to next year’s Melbourne Cup.

Victorian spring carnival winners Prince Of Arran and True Self could be bound for February’s mega-rich Saudi Cup meeting as a launching pad to the 2020 Melbourne Cup.

Geelong Cup winner Prince Of Arran and Queen Elizabeth Stakes victor True Self are in contention to travel to Riyadh on February 29 for the $3.6 million Red Sea Handicap (3000m).

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Charlie Fellowes is already plotting a third Melbourne Cup tilt with Prince Of Arran, who twice filled the placings in Australia’s biggest race.

True Self missed a Cup run last spring as the 25th horse in order before emerging to a dominant win in the Group 3 Queen Elizabeth Stakes at headquarters.

If Prince Of Arran and True Self clash in Riyadh, it will continue a rivalry which started at The Ebor where former jumper True Self finished ahead of the adopted Australian crowd favourite.

Michael Walker pilots Prince Of Arran to victory the Geelong Cup.

Prince Of Arran narrowly fended off True Self at Geelong before finishing second on protest in the Melbourne Cup.

True Self (seventh) was the better performed of the pair in the Hong Kong Vase when Prince Of Arran faded to 11th behind Japan’s Glory Vase.

The Red Sea Handicap is part of the undercard to the $28 million Saudi Cup (1800m), which offers $14 million to the winner.

Raymond Tusk, which won the Betway Stakes (3270m) last week to atone for his Melbourne Cup 16th, could also head to Riyadh.

The Saudi Cup, the world’s richest horse race, is open to northern hemisphere four-year-olds and up and southern hemisphere three-year-olds and up.

True Self takes out the Queen Elizabeth Stakes. Picture Jay Town

MONDAY RACEBOOK

HILL ABUSE MUST BE PUNISHED

Jack Hill’s miraculous escape from serious injury after a terrible race accident at Colac on Saturday means, subject to medical clearance, he will be fit to ride at Wangaratta on Monday.

Hill and his mount Georgina Louise parted company near the 400m in an incident which led to Jason Baldock copping a 25-meeting suspension for careless riding.

Jockeys watching from Flemington were shocked as Hill hit the ground hard before regaining his feet and walking to the ambulance.

Baldock, who finished third on Centenary Shot, plead guilty to moving out when insufficiently clear of Hill and later received an additional eight-meeting ban for weighing overweight.

The penalties will be served concurrently.

Georgina Louise suffered superficial injuries.

While all involved were grateful there were no broken bones — or worse — the vile online abuse directed at Hill was simply disgusting.

Time for offenders to be prosecuted. Ditto for licensed personnel threatening officials.

Craig Williams after Bold Star saluted at Flemington.

WILLIAMS BOWS OUT WITH A SMILE

Craig Williams will take an enforced holiday after Saturday’s meeting at The Valley, having earned a 10-week careless riding ban.

Always effusive, Williams was typically loquacious in addressing stewards before pleading guilty to the charge during his winning ride on Bold Star.

He repeatedly used “exemplary” to describe his riding record, admitting how much he likes the word.

Summing up, the champion jockey conceded his record was no longer exemplary, merely good.

After shaking hands with all and sundry, along with festive greetings, Williams left headquarters with a smile on his face.

BOWLER WIDE OF THE MARK

The marked betting drift sounded plenty of alarm bells for Usain Bowler’s supporters at Randwick on Saturday, but Glen Boss could offer no explanation to stewards for the gelding’s 10th placing.

A post-race veterinary examination also failed to reveal any abnormalities.

Trainer John Sadler told stewards the sprinter is better suited when racing outside horses. Sadler will press towards the Magic Millions on the Gold Coast on January 11, assuring stewards he would report back on the post-race condition of the horse.

SOUTH AFRICAN STAR HEADING OVER

Group 2 victory at Kenilworth in South Africa is likely to become a foundation stone for Mike de Kock’s shot at Australian features next year with Hawwaam.

The four-year-old will probably be seen in Australia in 2020 and his effortless win in the Group 2 Premier’s Trophy (1800m), improving his record to eight wins from nine starts.

His wins include three at Group 1 level.

THE WEEK AHEAD

With the exception of racing-free Christmas Day on Wednesday, next week is one of the busiest on the Victorian racing scene.

Wangaratta kicks of a hectic seven days before action switches to Werribee.

Boxing Day features the traditional Caulfield meeting, but there are also fixtures at Nhill, Penshurst, Kerang and Geelong as well as a picnic meeting at Drouin.

Night racing returns to Cranbourne on Friday before focus centres on The Valley and Stony Creek on Saturday.

Mornington holds centre stage on Sunday.

Originally published as Northern invaders Prince Of Arran and True Self plot desert tilt en route to 2020 Melbourne Cup