New contenders such as Tower Of London have entered the fray in recent weeks.
A more established name among this year’s Melbourne Cup horses however, Mark Twain, has now begun his run towards the big race in earnest.
Twain Puts on Exhibition
Mark Twain, an improving four-year-old bay gelding based at Cambridge, has his place guaranteed. A son of Shocking out of Pinders Prize, he landed the Roy Higgins back in late March. That race comes with a ‘golden ticket’ for the Cup on November 5.
Since that run at Flemington, he hasn’t been seen in public but has been doing fine at home.
In a first appearance for some time, Mark Twain took part in an exhibition gallop at Tauranga on Wednesday. His movement appears to have pleased his co-trainer, Roger James, who spoke about the horse afterwards in glowing terms.
Roger James Happy with Twain’s Performance
James, training in partnership with Robert Wellwood, spoke out after the gallop. Mark Twain was reported to have worked nicely and pulled up well, which is encouraging.
Due to adverse weather, the team hasn’t been able to do too much with the gelding of late. There is of course plenty of time before the Cup for him to get to peak fitness.
The idea of his public gallop was to get Mark Twain moving again, brining him on fitness-wise without leaving a mark on him and it seems to have worked well.
This is a vulnerable time for a horse in their work, with training injuries common at this point.
Work rider Masa Hashizume took Mark Twain along for 1200 metres at 15 second for the first three furlongs, working towards the line at 38.4. The real plus point about this piece of exercise is how he came home, galloping all the way to the 1400m and not pulling up quickly.
After trotting back round, the horse looked a picture at the end of his work. He has taken a significant forward step in his prep.
Next Steps for Mark Twain
Speaking after the gallop, Roger James informed watchers that Mark Twain is again bound for Melbourne in the shorter term.
He has a nomination for the Arrowfield Stud Plate, a Group 1 over 1600 metres. He also holds an entry in the Livamol Classic, another Group 1 over 2050 metres as a back-up.
Hastings is most certainly Plan B in this scenario. Weather and ground allowing, Melbourne is again first choice for the four-year-old.
As of now, the intention is to head to Melbourne first to run over 1500 metres. He will take in a trial in New Zealand first. His preparation will be built up gradually, though we don’t know if he will run in a major lead-up race in the spring.
As of now, Mark Twain is still available at $41 with some internet bookmakers which looks huge given his form.
