Smart mare The Map on Melbourne Cup path after impressive win at Morphettville

Improving stayer The Map returned with a dominant win at Morphettville and will now chase a golden ticket into the Melbourne Cup.

The Map cruises to victory in the Group 3 Queen Elizabeth Cup at Morphettville. Picture: Makoto Kaneko

Connections of The Map are eyeing a Melbourne Cup berth, and the mare has given them every reason to believe it’s attainable with a commanding win in the Group 3 Queen Elizabeth Cup (2500m) on Saturday at Morphettville.

The smart staying mare – trained by Dan Clarken and Oopy MacGillivray – was a strong 3¾-length winner with Jamie Kah in the saddle, and has returned from a freshen up in brilliant touch.

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“I just love that horse (The Map), every time she does something like that my heart explodes, I just love her,” MacGillivray said.

All things permitting the mare will now head to the Listed Andrew Ramsden Stakes (2800m) at Flemington on May 18, which offers a golden ticket to the Melbourne Cup for the winner.

“The thing about the Melbourne Cup is that especially now, it’s harder for a local horse to get in it,” she said.

“That’s the start. We’re nearly in it, but we keep giving ourselves that chance.”

THIS IS GIRL POWER, IT'S @jamieleekah07 AND THE MAP RACING AWAY WITH THE QUEEN ELIZABETH LI CUP! 🏆 pic.twitter.com/IJ174nuiwX

— 7HorseRacing 🐎 (@7horseracing) May 4, 2024

Kah was also thrilled to win another race for the Clarken and MacGillivray stable.

“Every time I ride The Map for these guys, it feels like I win a Group 1. It’s awesome, it’s a great feeling,” an elated Kah said.

Trevor Day and Jeffrey Maund combined to win the opener on the card with tough stayer Tullaghan, before Todd Pannell piloted $81 shot Geminga to a blowout result for Murray Bridge handler Gary Boyce in the second race.

“To be honest I thought her trial the other day was impressive, first time tongue tie, the vet recommended that, so we tried that with her and she’s been working the house down,” Boyce said.

“It’s great to see this result today.”

Another Murray Bridge trainer saluted in race three, with Classy Kenny producing an impressive win for John Hickmott an Carrina Riggs.

Melbourne Cup-winning hoop Blake Shinn steered him up the inside of the field on the straight to successfully run down tearaway leader Sunzou.

“He’s (Classy Kenny) been working a treat, more thanks to Carrina than me, she’s been holding the fort the last few weeks and she’s done a great job,” Hickmott said.

After nailing an upset win in race two, Pannell was ready to blow away punters again, steering longshot East Indiaman to victory for Darren McLeod at odds of $34.

Todd Pannell wins aboard East Indiaman. Picture: Makoto Kaneko

Sir Kingsford strode to the front and set up a strong tempo under Kayla Crowther in the Provincial Pathways Final (1800m).

The four-year-old turned for home with a two-length margin and held off Enciphering late to score, and looks to have a promising future.

The smart gelding now has six wins from 16-career starts for the Searle and Callanan stable – who had their heart in their mouths as a result of his run and gun style out in front.

“I don’t think my heart has beaten so fast for so long,” Nichole Searle said, who trains in partnership with husband Gary and daughter Brianna.

“It was a bit nerve wrecking the last 100m, but he just toughs it out, if they get to him – he just lifts again.”

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The gelding carried a massive 61kg to victory in Saturday’s Provincial Pathways Final (1800m).

“I was huffing and puffing getting the saddle back to the horse, Kayla (Crowther) is only tiny, there was a lot of dead weight so it was a huge effort from him today – he just lifted and lifted.”

Hayes’ filly Poifect was a dominant winner in the Listed Adelaide Guineas (1600m), crossing from barrier 12 under Michael Dee to take up the lead, and kick clear at the top of the straight.

Pannell showed why he’s still one of the state’s best riders on the nine-race Derby card, finishing with a treble after winning the last race aboard Delightful Shecky for Dylan Caboche.

Kah snared a double on the day with The Map and Coco Sun in the Group 1 SA Derby.

Originally published as Smart mare The Map on Melbourne Cup path after impressive win at Morphettville