One-time Melbourne Cup hopeful Hasta La War could yet try again to win the big one. After winning a Listed race, the veteran is enjoying his best career form and could yet keep the Flemington dream alive for connections.
Port Adelaide Victory Boosts Cup Hopes
Many thought the Melbourne Cup dream was over within the Sue Murphy camp. You’d think the team had won it however judging by the celebrations after the Port Adelaide Cup.
Hasta La War scored in the Listed race and it was the seven-year-old’s best career performance. He has shown glimpses of major ability before, only for tendon injuries to curtail his career.
Back in 2021, the Cup was very much on the cards. Hasta La War had placed in the Herbert Power Stakes (Group 2) and the Group 3 Geelong Cup. Injury forced him out of that renewal and it seemed he would not get another chance.
A fantastic training performance from Naracoorte’s Sue Murphy however means the maturing galloper is back. He is better than ever now after his recent Morphettville win, the eighth of his career.
Strangely, all eight of Hasta La War’s wins have been under the steering of apprentice Teagan Voorham. Teagan’s apprenticeship has since finished and she is likely to keep the ride on the star.
Andrew Ramsden Could Be Next
Connections of horses such as White Marlin are looking for golden tickets. That could be the case here too.
Sue Murphy has been dreaming of Melbourne Cup success with this horse for some time. After a second tendon injury, it seemed his chance had gone.
The plan this year was for Hasta La War to get two runs in as a lead-up. The Port Adelaide Cup has been dealt with and now he qualifies to head to Melbourne for the Andrew Ramsden Stakes.
That is his likely next port of call. Win there would see him rise up the Melbourne Cup odds.
Terrific Melbourne Farewell for Holland
In other news, the sad passing of Group 1-winning jockey Dean Holland saw him sent off in style at Flemington Racecourse.
Other top jockeys have also seen farewells at Flemington. Harry White (78) and Roy Higgins (75) have been sent off in style at the home of the Melbourne Cup, but what made this so sad is that Holland was only 34 when he passed on April 24.
Family, friends and even fans of the sport were in attendance. They joined together in tribute to a fine jockey, father of four children. In a fitting touch, youngest daughter Lily was christened at the racecourse just hours before Holland’s funeral. He will be sadly missed by the racing community.
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