After the initial Cup nominations were released, there was new confusion surrounding the Melbourne Cup odds.
Some notable absentees were discovered, but the potential overseas runners are getting weirder and more wonderful by the day.
Now, it seems that the USA’s first potential Melbourne Cup runner could be heading this way, while a trainer from Newcastle in England is looking to double up after his biggest local win.
Wizard a Potential First for United States
The Grey Wizard, a five-year-old trained by Graham Motion, earned his place in the Melbourne Cup earlier in the year. He took a ballot exemption having landed the Grade 2 Belmont Gold Cup in New York in June.
More recently, he won at Listed level in a race that was little more than a prep run for him.
Motion’s galloper went to Kentucky Downs’ valuable meet on Wednesday, finishing second in a run that was seen as crucial if he is to take up his spot at Flemington.
Though beaten in the Nashville Gold Cup, he ran to his usual standard. With luck, that means the team will send him to Victoria as the first US-based runner in the Melbourne Cup.
Northumberland Plate Winner Could Be on Track
Brian Ellison may not be an English trainer you know well, but he is more than competent. Based in Yorkshire, he is a proud ‘Geordie’ from Newcastle and this year he finally won the Northumberland Plate with Onesmoothoperator who was nominated for the Cup.
His runner isn’t guaranteed a run, however. Either way, Onesmoothoperator is on his way with an alternative plan mapped out.
The six-year-old hits quarantine this week and will ship, even if denied a place. The Geelong Cup, the Bendigo Cup and a few other events have been chalked up as potential visits. Even the Queen Elizabeth Stakes on the Saturday following the Melbourne Cup is a possibility.
Whatever happens, it’ll be fascinating to see the horse who also finished seventh to Magical Zoe in the Ebor.
Ebor Winner Not Certain to Run
Magical Zoe, winner of a golden ticket by winning the Ebor Handicap, is not certain to make Flemington. Connections of the mare are still discussing plans.
A top-class hurdler also, Magical Zoe landed a major gamble in England’s biggest handicap having been backed from $17 right into $6.50 before scorching home at York.
Despite the ‘win and you’re in’ nature of the Ebor, plans are still fluid. Trainer Henry de Bromhead has noted that his six-year-old has been kept busy. She’s been on the go since last September and it may well be that Melbourne is just a step too far.
Magical Zoe may well be rested, and/or held back for another jumps campaign during the northern hemisphere winter.
Time will tell, but it may be that giving the Ebor a golden ticket doesn’t work long term. Perhaps a Listed or Group 3 race in England would be better as a ballot exemption race for the overseas horses.
