The Melbourne Cup is not a stranger these days to overseas winners. This year, we may well see strong Japanese interest. The Irish will surely come too. But what about the racing heartland that is England?
Newmarket in particular houses some of the very top horses in the world. William Haggas has already nominated Desert Hero as a potential contender.
Newmarket horses are trained by expert handlers such as John Gosden, who trains in partnership with his son Thady, and Charlie Appleby who is exclusive to Sheikh Mohammed’s Godolphin operation.
After William Haggas’ success in Australia and James Ferguson’s Deauville Legend having gone off favourite for the Cup last year, we’re looking at the Newmarket angle.
Gosden Sr. a Melbourne Cup Fan
John Gosden is a classy, self-effacing and intelligent trainer of many years standing. He is not however a handler stuck in his ways. Gosden has trained in California and, since being back in England, has sent his horses round the world in search of Group 1 glory.
Gosden is known as a fan of the Melbourne Cup. He apparently has no regrets about not having sent his star stayer Stradivarius for the race. It simply wouldn’t have suited him. But he and son Thady may yet target the race this year.
Their Trawlerman won the Ebor in 2022. That race now has ballot exemption for the Melbourne Cup. Trawlerman has been off for a little while but is still in the running for the Cup.
One to watch however is the yard’s Israr. Only a four-year-old with his best days ahead of him, Israr has some top form and even beat former Derby winner Adayar in fine style at Newmarket recently. He should stay in the right conditions and his next move is worth watching.
Former Winner Appleby Could Be Tempted Back
Arguably the world’s leading trainer in recent times, Charlie Appleby is even more of a globetrotter. The Godolphin man regularly sends horses to the States and around Europe. Let’s not forget too that he was in fact the first British winner of the Melbourne Cup in 2018 with his Cross Counter.
He is one of many trainers but off however by Racing Victoria’s intrusive vet checks for overseas runners. Many support him in that view. But if that can be overcome it seems that the Melbourne Cup is still very much on the agenda for the Moulton Paddocks team.
It is just possible that Siskany and/or Castle Way could be among the Melbourne Cup runners. Siskany was good in Dubai in March and won in America over their summer. This is a race that may suit him very well.
Very interesting also is three-year-old Castle Way. It seems he is going down the St Leger route and he is a constant improver. We’re looking into that and other lead-up races soon. It’ll be a particularly interesting angle to keep an eye on.
