The Gordon Stakes provided Melbourne Cup fans with a unique insight at Goodwood
The Group 3 race, run over 2400 metres for three-year-olds only, is a fine contest in its own right. It is however also a very useful trial for the St Leger at Doncaster, the last British Classic in turn being a great lead-up race for the Melbourne Cup in November.
This time around, the contest featured Deauville Legend, a recent Group 3 winner trained by James Ferguson at Newmarket, and Hoo Ya Mal, the $2 million purchase by Gai Waterhouse who was in attendance.
The money on this occasion however was all for New London. Charlie Appleby’s runner was on the Derby trial earlier in the year. He didn’t make it to Epsom Downs, unlike Hoo Ya Mal who was runner-up, but is said to be top class.
The Godolphin horse indeed produced a power-packed performance to land the race by 1¾ lengths. He too is in the Melbourne Cup betting, but is unlikely to turn up.
Eyes then were drawn to a couple of those in behind and neither horse let anyone down.
Hoo Ya Mal has been moved to George Boughey’s yard while he finishes off his English career, and put up a good St Leger prep by running third, losing out on second close to the line.
Even more impressive however was Deauville Legend. A 14/1 shot, the recent Newmarket winner was giving a kilo away to his rivals but stayed on well to grab second behind New London under jockey Daniel Muscutt.
Both horses now look sure to end up in the Melbourne Cup field on November 1. Weights will be interesting, but both now are prominent in the betting market (see odds for the Melbourne Cup).
Melbourne Cup Odds
Both Deauville Legend and Hoo Ya Mal are listed on the TAB as 18.00 shots. The pair are in the next group behind five horses vying for favouritism.
Leading the way are Duais, Kyprios, Loft, New London and Spanish Mission, all at 15.00.
Plans are fluid for New London and Kyprios at the moment as far as the European horses go. A surprise star visitor may yet be on the cards however.
What Next for Stradivarius?
The Goodwood Cup was meant to be star stayer Stradivarius’s last outing. After a thrilling finish in which he was a close second to Kyprios however, more racing is on the cards.
York in August is now mooted, as is Champions Day at Ascot in October. What of a surprise run-out in the Melbourne Cup though? Apparently, this has not been ruled out by owner Bjorn Neilson. What a fantastic occasion that would be!
Read more news about the Melbourne Cup.
