There may yet be an unexpected name on the course when we see the Melbourne Cup live in November.
After last Thursday’s Belmont Gold Cup at Saratoga, winner The Grey Wizard has the option of turning up at Flemington. That would represent another chapter in the international career path this horse has taken.
Flashing Late Finish
Godolphin’s Siskany was the very hot favourite for this year’s re-routed Belmont Gold Cup over 3200 metres. In the end, Charlie Appleby’s galloper was poor but winner The Grey Wizard relished the rare chance to run over this sort of distance.
With Aussie Matt Hill calling the late-finisher home, The Grey Wizard flew at the death. He landed the Grade 2 race under jockey John Velazquez in good style in the end. He now earns a ballot exemption for the Melbourne Cup with connections thinking of taking up the invite.
Precious few US-based horses travel abroad, aside for a few each at Royal Ascot and the Dubai Carnival. British-born trainer Graham Motion however may want to take up this challenge.
A son of sprinter Caravaggio, The Grey Wizard was once with Melbourne Cup-winning handler Joseph O’Brien. Having moved to the US, he has thrived but doesn’t get the chance anywhere near enough to strut his stuff over the Melbourne Cup distance.
Motion a Fan of the Melbourne Cup
After winning the Belmont Gold Cup, run at Saratoga as part of the Belmont Gold Cup Festival, Motion spoke of his admiration for the Melbourne Cup and its format.
He is a big fan of true international racing, with invites (ballot exemptions) being offered. This race, as well as the Ebor Handicap at York, offers the ‘Golden Ticket’. Motion however also was at pains to say no quick decision will be made. It may not be until October that we find out if he intends to travel the horse.
The trainer has also acknowledged that, as well as being a great race, the Cup is a hard one to get to. Taking a horse from overseas to the Melbourne Cup is quite an undertaking, one that seems to be getting harder and not easier.
Cheap Buy Could Be Cup Hero
Speaking after winning the Belmont Gold Cup, Graham Motion mentioned that he almost went for the Melbourne Cup once before.
His team pondered coming with a horse called Better Talk Now, a multiple Grade 1 winner. He acknowledged that it’s hard to get handicapped to win the race. He also mentioned difficulties with shipping and quarantine. Still, the Melbourne Cup is some pull which the trainer has recognised.
Going one better than when second last year, The Grey Wizard is cheap for a Belmont winner. The five-year-old was bought out of Joseph O’Brien’s yard for only £78,000 ($150,000).
He has already handsomely rewarded connections, but a spot in the multi-million-dollar Melbourne Cup would top the lot.
