After building up his chances, connections of Kiwi galloper Mark Twain have been left disappointed. New Zealand’s main hope has received a tendon injury and is now officially ruled out of the 2024 Melbourne Cup.
Though that’s a disappointment, there could yet be plenty of overseas interest. A new welfare system for potential Melbourne Cup horses is being introduced, something that will benefit UK and Irish runners.
They are competing at the Ebor Festival at York this week. There is even a Melbourne Cup ‘golden ticket’ up for grabs on Saturday.
A Monumental Week at York
There are no fewer than five races at England’s Ebor Festival in York which could lead to the Melbourne Cup.
The Lonsdale Stakes (Friday) is a Group 2 weight-for-age race run over 3300 metres. That’s an obvious potential lead-up race, while the Group 2 Great Voltigeur (Wednesday) is one for the three-year-olds over 2400 metres. It was once won by former Cup favourite Deauville Legend.
The Yorkshire Oaks (2400m, Thursday) is a Group 1 for the fillies and mares, while the Melrose Handicap (Saturday) is a 2800m handicap race for three-year-olds.
The Melrose in fact is an Ebor for the younger horses, the big race taking place at 3.35pm local time on Saturday.
The Ebor Handicap is the richest handicap in Europe. As of last year, the race offers ballot exemption for the Melbourne Cup and one or two trainers will have that in mind when preparing their horses for this Saturday’s feature race.
Previous winners and placed horses in this 2800m cavalry charge have already attempted the Melbourne Cup.
The Main Contenders
David O’Meara’s Epic Poet and Aidan O’Brien’s Queenstown head the market for the Ebor. They have a chance alongside jumps trainer Henry de Bromhead’s Magical Zoe. What isn’t known at this stage is whether any of these horses would be aimed at Melbourne subsequently.
Andrew Balding’s Fairbanks is another big contender, as is Naqeeb of the William Haggas yard. Haggas is a proud Yorkshireman who would love to win the Ebor, while he also has plenty of experience in Australia via the likes of Addeybb and Dubai Honour.
The horses to watch could come at much bigger odds however. The excellent Tom Marquand has been booked to ride Crystal Delight. An improver, he could have a big chance. He is also trained by Harry Eustace, brother of former Aussie trainer David Eustace in partnership with Ciaron Maher.
His connections could mean it makes sense for him to head to the Spring Carnival with a guaranteed runner.
Roger Varian’s Shadow Dance is another with a major chance. His heading to Flemington afterwards is far from guaranteed. Lastly, there are huge odds available for Sheradann of the Ian Williams yard who has a fine each-way chance.
One way or the other, it should be a contest worth watching from Australia.
