After T O Royal announced himself as a contender, another Melbourne Cup hopeful was getting the job done on Saturday.
Top mare The Map, who we’ve reported on before, is moving closer to getting into the Melbourne Cup field. She won the Queen Elizabeth Cup on Saturday and now a place in the final field is being eyed.
Queen Elizabeth Cup Winner Edging Closer
The Map’s owners and trainers are now getting closer to adding her name to the final list of 2024 Melbourne Cup horses.
Having already had a fine campaign, the mare won again when landing the Group 3 Queen Elizabeth Cup. The Morphettville event was a Group 3 affair over 2500 metres and she stayed on very well to land it.
Dan Clarken and Oopy MacGillivray are responsible for conditioning The Map and they’ve certainly done their job. She ultimately scored on Saturday by a commanding 3¾ lengths under Jamie Kah. It seems being rested has done her the world of good and she can go on to a new level now.
With each run, The Map gets closer to realising a Melbourne Cup dream for connections.
Andrew Ramsden Could Be Next on the List
The Map could be in for a very tough test next time out, despite being aimed at Listed class.
A number of Melbourne Cup hopefuls will be aimed at the Andrew Ramsden Stakes. That race offers a golden ticket and a guaranteed place in the Melbourne Cup. That looks like The Map’s ideal next run.
Flemington is the destination for the Andrew Ramsden field, the race taking place on May 18. The Map’s trainers have mentioned lately that they feel it’s getting harder for a local horse to get into the Melbourne Cup. We’re not sure where those comments are aimed, but a golden ticket certainly takes away any worries.
Kah Bonding Strongly with The Map’s Connections
Jockey Jamie Kah spoke of her delight at winning the Queen Elizabeth Cup on Saturday. Her victory aboard The Map gave her such huge pleasure and not for the first time.
Having experienced the Melbourne Cup and won at the top level, it would be a surprise if she didn’t keep the ride. Seeing Jamie Kah aboard on the first Tuesday in November would be no surprise.
The Map Not Yet Affecting Cup Odds
Remarkably, The Map’s progress is not yet making a major mark on the Melbourne Cup betting market.
Circle Of Fire currently heads the market at a general $15, followed by Vauban at a best-priced $17. T O Royal entered the market at $21, with last year’s winner Without A Fight available at anything from $13 to $21.
More market fluctuations are bound to follow, especially over the European summer. We’d expect The Map to shorten up significantly if she wins the Andrew Ramsden.
