2022 Melbourne Cup winner Gold Trip came roaring back to form on Saturday.
Ciaron Maher and David Eustace’s hero was emphatic in winning the Group 1 Turnbull Stakes at Flemington. He led home an important 1-2-3 with the Cup in mind; West Wind Blows and Soulcombe following him home.
Cox Plate Could Be Next for Gold Trip
Six-year-old Gold Trip hadn’t won a race since his Cup triumph last November going into Saturday’s race. His impressive 1¾-length success however was better than his previous career high according to his trainers.
Gold Trip went off at 18/1 this time around under Mark Zahra. Given barrier 16 in the 2000-metre event, he had to sweep around and come with a bursting late run before clearing away from a very strong field.
The Cup hero was only ninth in the Cox Plate last year, a race used as his major Melbourne Cup prep. Moonee Valley could be the destination once again this year as the Maher & Eustace team look to land an amazing repeat win.
English challenger West Wind Blows also ran a great prep. After several good runs this year without a big win, he was second in the Turnbull. That will put him in a great position going into the next few weeks.
Soucombe, well fancied for the Cup on November 7, came home in third for Chris Waller. He’s improving nicely and his trainer has been bullish in the last few days about winning the race again having scored in 2021 with Verry Elleegant.
Dettori Still in Line to Ride After Spanish Mission Performance
Frankie Dettori may still get to ride in another Melbourne Cup. Spanish Mission ran midfield in the Turnbull on Saturday, the performance pleasing connections. He was a $151 chance having come back from a tendon injury.
Having been beaten only five lengths, the crack Melbourne Cup performer may be seen at Flemington one more time. Dettori is well known to connections and is in line to ride, the only negative apparently being that he won’t be available in a lead-up race this month.
Future History Avoids Cup Penalty
While Just Fine has received a 0.5kg Cup penalty, Future History has avoided one.
The Bart Cummings winner is set to carry the limit of 50kg in the Melbourne Cup. He escaped a penalty after claiming his place in the Cup field after Racing Victoria handicapper David Hegan said he could not raise his weight.
After judging Future History against those around him in the Bart Cummings, his weight stays as is. Future History carried the minimum 54kg in his Group 3 win. He received 4kg from Serpentine, weighted 51kg in the Cup.
Future History already meets Serpentine on 3kg worse terms in the Cup. His weight therefore remains which helps his Melbourne Cup odds.
