Roar deal in 2024 can offset Melbourne Cup chagrin for trainers John O’Shea and Tom Charlton

The heartache of Athabascan missing the Melbourne Cup could be healed just a little for trainers John O’Shea and Tom Charlton if Lion’s Roar can win the $3 million Big Dance at Royal Randwick.

The heartache of Athabascan missing the Melbourne Cup could be healed just a little for trainers John O’Shea and Tom Charlton if Lion’s Roar can win the $3 million Big Dance at Royal Randwick on Tuesday.

O’Shea and Charlton were preparing to have their first Melbourne Cup runner together in their first full season in partnership but had their hopes dashed at the eleventh hour when the stayer was sensationally scratched on Monday evening.

O’Shea and Charlton had been hunting a memorable Big Dance-Melbourne Cup double before the news of Athabascan’s scratching broke.

However, Lion’s Roar – a horse with Randwick mile form unmatched in the Big Dance field – can give them plenty of cheer.

• PUNT LIKE A PRO: Become a Racenet iQ member and get expert tips – with fully transparent return on investment statistics – from Racenet’s team of professional punters at our Pro Tips section. SUBSCRIBE NOW!

The son of Contributer won a Group 1 Randwick Guineas as a three-year-old and has placed in the past two editions of the Group 2 The Ingham over the same track and trip.

He didn’t beat a runner home last start in the Group 1 King Charles III Stakes when trapped deep the trip but can atone on a happy hunting ground.

“It’s his favourite track and distance,” Charlton said.

“He was probably a bit outclassed last start in the King Charles and didn’t have the best run in transit.

“He comes right back in class now with a decent enough weight on what he has achieved.

“From the draw, if he can get the right run he will definitely be effective.”

Lion’s Roar won his way into the Big Dance field with victory in the Wyong Cup.

Lion's Roar screams in to win the Wyong Cup Cup!🏆 🦁 pic.twitter.com/3Wk267TMgo

— SKY Racing (@SkyRacingAU) September 6, 2024

• Ray & Duff’s race-by-race tips, analysis for Big Dance Day at Royal Randwick

He was runner up to Spangler a year ago in the Little Dance and has amassed more than $2.3 million in prizemoney during his career.

“He’s actually very consistent,” Charlton said.

“When you look through his form, he’s had some excuses and you look at the Little Dance last year when he was very unfortunate.

“He hasn’t done a lot wrong to be fair.”

Lion’s Roar is an $18 chance in the Big Dance with Josh Parr in the saddle.

Despite drawing the car park, the Ciaron Maher-trained Gringotts is the $4 favourite from the Lindsay Park galloper Here To Shock and the Kris Lees-trained Tavi Time (both $5).

O’Shea and Charlton will also attempt to win the race that eluded them last year.

Ravello ($11) headlines a three-pronged attack in the $750,000 Little Dance (1600m) with Kokoro ($81) and Jamberoo ($31) both set to jump from wide draws.

Ravello was a runner-up in the Coonamble Cup but jumps from an awkward draw in barrier 12 while Kokoro and Jamberoo are drawn even wider.

“Ravello will be fine and Jamberoo will roll forward anyway,” Charlton said.

“Kokoro will have a bit of a task on his hands. We will see how it works out.”

The well backed Ravello gets the cash for @mcacajamez and @JohnOSheaRacing! pic.twitter.com/wMPcqqT1dz

— SKY Racing (@SkyRacingAU) September 25, 2024

• Jett Hatton’s foolproof five-minute guide to the Big Dance

Charlton was O’Shea’s long-time assistant before being promoted into the training partnership earlier this year – and they’ve already tasted success at Listed, Group 3 and Group 2 level.

Schwarz gave the duo their biggest victory to date when the gelding captured the Group 2 Missile Stakes back in August.

A win in the Big Dance would take things to a new level, but there is not shortage of classy opposition in the Big Dance, set to take place in front of a bumper crowd on O’Shea and Charlton’s home track.

The Ben, Will and JD Hayes-trained Here To Shock, who has thrived in New South Wales at his past two starts, is among the leading contenders.

The seven-year-old was an impressive winner of the Group 3 Cameron Handicap (1500m) at Newcastle two starts ago, which offered Big Dance eligibility for the first time this year.

He continued his stellar run with victory in the $1.5 million Alan Brown Stakes last start.

Here To Shock is here to win! The @lindsayparkrace trained galloper takes the Alan Brown Stakes and it's a double to @nashhot!@aus_turf_clubpic.twitter.com/NEYJEVUYBr

— SKY Racing (@SkyRacingAU) October 12, 2024

• 2024 Big Dance tips, runner-by-runner form analysis

A 62kg impost will make his life tough in the Big Dance but barrier one and Nash Rawiller should enhance his chances.

“Here To Shock has done well between runs, he’s got a big weight but we will see how we go,” JD Hayes said.

“We had the Big Dance circled a long way out.

“We have been bringing him back to the farm (at Euroa) between runs and he absolutely thrived out of our property.

“He just keeps winning up there and clearly likes that way of going.”

The Big Dance is now in its third year.

The Kris Lees-trained Rustic Steel claimed the inaugural edition of the Randwick feature while Sara Ryan enjoyed the biggest victory of her young career when Attractable saluted last year.

• ‘I’m on the right horse’: Tommy Berry banks on Gringotts in Big Dance

Lees will hunt his second Big Dance victory with Tavi Time ($5) after the gelding earned his way into the field with a win in the Mudgee Cup last December.

The field is made up of Cups victors from the across the state while Michael Freedman’s Ducasse ($12) won his way into the field by claiming last month’s Big Dance Wild Card.

Horses that didn’t make the Big Dance field still get to race for big prizemoney in the Little Dance, in which the Chris Waller-trained Waterford holds favouritism at $4.20 despite carrying 62kg.

The $250,000 Barn Dance, which is wedged between the two feature events, sees Dubbo trainer Brett Robb chases another lucrative Sydney feature success with Gallant Star ($3.20).

Racing kicks off 11.45am on the blockbuster card.

Originally published as Roar deal in 2024 can offset Melbourne Cup chagrin for trainers John O’Shea and Tom Charlton