This Saturday, May 14, sees the Andrew Ramsden Race Day take place at Flemington.
Though it is a qualifier for the Melbourne Cup on November 1, trainer Sam Freedman has expressed some concern about the depth of the race.
‘Afterthought’ Entry for ‘Golden Ticket’ Race
Freedman has confessed publicly in recent days that entering his Warning in the Andrew Ramsden was an ‘afterthought. The handler says that it would be silly not to go for the Listed race however, given its perceived lack of depth this time around.
Another trainer, David Eustace, has commented similarly recently. Eustace has questioned the reasoning of the Andrew Ramsden being restricted to those aged three, four and five.
The fact that, as Freedman put it, this race offers a ‘golden ticket’ to the Melbourne Cup, trainers have to go for it, though being a qualifier for the big one he would expect the race to be much stronger than it is.
Freedman admits that entering Warning is an afterthought. The chestnut gelding ran in the Warrnambol Cup last week and now faces a quick turnaround.
The trainer reckons that, if you take his horse out of it, the Andrew Ramsden would look like any off-season Saturday event. Strong sentiments indeed.
Douglas Also Seeking Cup Spot
Clayton Douglas is also on the hunt for his own golden ticket this weekend. He’s having a dart at the Andrew Ramsden with Lope De Vega gelding Harmysian.
The 2800-metre journey looks ideal for his runner. Harmysian will be joined in the race by fellow OTI Racing horse Sound Of Cannons after he won at Sandown.
Harmysian is well bred but hasn’t yet fulfilled his potential. Last seen when running fourth in a handicap over 2400 metres at Sandown, he now goes for his eighth run in Australia having formerly been in the care of Francis Graffard in France who now has a major job to do with an Australian treasure.
Verry Elleegant to be Trained in France for European Campaign
Harmysian’s former trainer Francis Graffard has been handed a major task.
Melbourne Cup winner and bona fide champion Verry Elleegant will now join his yard. The mare is embarking on a European campaign which could conclude with a run in the Arc in October.
The super six-year-old has won 11 Group One races. Her trainer Chris Waller has described handling her as an “honour”.
Verry Ellegant’s ownership group had until recently been toying with the idea of sending the mare to either the Arc or the British Champions Fillies & Mares Stakes, or going for another Melbourne Cup.
However now they feel like she has been ‘weighted out of the cups’. That may not be a bad shout in truth. She now joins Francis Graffard who will plan her route in Europe.
Read the latest Melbourne Cup news.
