After the Sydney Cup gave us some good form clues, there has been more potential Cup fallout from Japan.
The Melbourne Cup appears to be the long-term target for outstanding Group 1 Tenno Sho Spring winner T O Royal after the six-year-old scored by two lengths on Sunday at Kyoto.
Japanese Galloper in to $21
Some major online bookmakers have reduced the Melbourne Cup odds of T O Royal after his weekend win.
Inao Okada’s full horse is just a $21 chance now after scooting home in the 3200m race. The mount of Yuji Hishida, T O Royal opened up nicely in the closing stages and never looked in any danger.
Blow The Horn’s runner-up effort and Deep Bond, placing in the race for the fourth year in a row, gave the form a rock-solid look about it.
After the Tenno Sho Spring, owner Kimiya Kozasa spoke out about the horse’s long-term plans. Despite potential quarantine issues being mentioned, it appears the team are hell-bent on heading to Flemington in November for the big one.
Being clipped into 20/1 at this stage is a significant market move. T O Royal’s win was his first in Group 1 company for the trainer and for the horse.
Conditioner Okada has said that his stable star continues to grow and improve. If he carries on improving over the northern hemisphere summer then we could be seeing some beast when the Melbourne Carnival comes around later in the year.
Distance and Class No Issue
We’ve seen many a classy horse come and go without success in the Melbourne Cup. Often, they simply cannot stay the 3200-metre distance. Equally we’ve seen plenty of capable stayers who cannot hack the cut and thrust of Flemington’s showpiece.
In the case of T O Royal, he has both the qualities we look for. Now a Group 1 winner after previous Group 3 and 2 success he has the class we seek. He is also a winner over 3000, 3200 and even 3400 metres. He will have no trouble seeing out the trip.
Mullins Pair Confirmed to Be Back for More
Leading Irish jumps trainer Willie Mullins will send back both Absurde and Vauban for another tilt at the Melbourne Cup.
Finished seventh and 14th last year, the pair were slightly disappointing. Having had that experience however, they will both be back for more this spring.
Vauban went off at only $5.50 and Absurde was well backed on the day into $9 last time out. The pair will arrive with live chances, again perhaps without an Australian prep run.
To get ready for the Carnival, both runners will be campaigned in England and Ireland. We’ll keep you abreast of results at Glorious Goodwood, the Ebor Festival and Royal Ascot where the pair are bound to be spotted. The only sticking point for the pair would be doing too well. Their handicap marks may suffer as a result.
