Horses to Watch in 2024: First Immortal
Racing at Doomben on December 2 showed us that Knights Choice is now a Melbourne Cup contender. We’re looking to see who else to watch throughout 2024.
Soulcombe was a big shout before the 2023 running. There has been a distinct lack of placed horses coming back to win the Cup in recent times, however. Maybe the race just takes something out of them, or maybe it leads to them being badly handicapped. Whatever, when they’re ready, they’d better win it when they have the chance.
So, while 2023 runner-up Soulcombe and winner Without A Fight remain of interest at the head of the market, we’re looking at the chances of First Immortal.
Who is First Immortal?
First Immortal is trained by Mark and Levi Kavanagh. His home track is Flemington, something that may well play into his advantage next November.
A four-year-old gelding, First Immortal was foaled in August 2019. He’s the ideal age for a strong Melbourne Cup contender.
Rated 96 up to now, First Immortal is high class but is getting better all the time. By Churchill, a top European miler, his pedigree is outstanding and now his form is beginning to match it.
First Immortal’s Form
After making his debut in late 2022, First Immortal ran four times towards the end of the year. Seventh on debut, he improved to finish fourth and second before finally scoring at Yarra Valley.
Following a break, the gelding returned in April 2023 for the first of his 11 runs during a busy year. His first start acted as a loosener, before he went on an outstanding run of form.
After winning a 0-64 at Sale, First Immortal was impressive at Morphettville in May. He was seen again at Flemington two weeks later where he scored again, sticking to 2000 metres. That was his third win in four weeks.
He couldn’t quite get the job done again when running in a quality three-year-old handicap in June, but was better two weeks later at the same level when scoring once more at his home track Flemington.
Yet another Flemington handicap win followed in July when the gelding was stepped up to 2500 metres.
A win at Caulfield preceded a second in the Bart Cummings before a busy year was rounded off with a seventh in the Geelong Cup. First Immortal has done nothing but improve and he has won on ground from a soft 7 to a good 3.
What Can We Expect Between Now and November 5th, 2024?
First Immortal was probably just tired by the time he got to the Geelong Cup. After another break, he can be seen to better effect in 2024.
Having shown plenty of improvement so far, there’s no telling where that will end. He also seemed to kick into a new gear when going over 2500m, so look out for him in staying races as the year progresses towards him being among the Melbourne Cup runners.
