We’re still a week away from the next crucial Melbourne Cup lead-up race, the Andrew Ramsden Stakes.
The 2800m, $500,000 Listed race at Flemington offers a golden ticket for potential Melbourne Cup horses. It could be where Queen Elizabeth Cup winner The Map heads to but until we get to see that, we’re checking on how some of the other contenders are doing as we reach 25 weeks to go.
Pride Of Jenni Now Top-Rated Mare
We don’t yet know if we’ll see Pride Of Jenni line up at Flemington later in the year. It’s safe to say we hope so after she put in some fine performances of late over 2000 metres.
Ciaron Maher’s galloper is now the top-rated mare in the world according to the latest Longines World Rankings. She has an official rating of 120 after winning the Queen Elizabeth in fine style at Randwick in April.
Much like Verry Elleegant before her, she could easily step up to the 3200m distance of the Melbourne Cup. She is all class, the only sticking point being that high rating there’s no way she’s getting into the race on a low weight. She is intriguing nonetheless.
Deauville Legend Makes Inauspicious Reappearance
We all remember Deauville Legend arriving for the Melbourne Cup in 2022 all the rage. Then a young northern hemisphere three-year-old, he was ultimately a beaten favourite. In truth, he ran a stormer and connections still want to win the Melbourne Cup.
He reappeared on Thursday at Chester, England in the Group 3 Ormonde Stakes. Below his best again, he trailed in some 7¾ lengths behind Aidan O’Brien’s Point Lonsdale.
It was a warm day however and he was a little lit up before the race. It would also his first run since August and it’ll be interesting to keep an eye on him in all of England’s big staying races over their summer.
Mullins Pair Ready to Go
Irish jumps trainer Willie Mullins sent both Vauban and Absurde for the race last year. The former was a short-priced favourite though ultimately it was Absurde who did best.
Both horses could be aimed at the Cup once again with that valuable experience under their belts. They are also fit and ready to go now for the European turf flat season.
The pair each have entries in the same three upcoming races. Vauban is a $5.50 shot for next week’s Yorkshire Cup over 2800m, with Absurde rated a $11 poke. The pair are also entered at Leopardstown the same day and so may be kept apart.
Both horses also hold an early entry in next month’s crucial 4000m Ascot Gold Cup (Group 1) during the royal meeting, with that surely being their main summer target.It may be that Willie Mullins thinks that Absurde has a little more pace. As well as the Gold Cup, he is entered in the Group 2 Hardwicke Stakes over 2400m so once again, it gives the trainer the chance to keep his runners apart.
