Carthage for the Cup

Racing and Sports
Monday, 22 March 2010:

Hong Kong trainer John Moore has named the Melbourne Cup as the target for a horse who was once favourite for the world's premier weight-for-age event, the Prix De l”Arc de Triomphe.

Carthage, who raced in Europe as Beheshtam, was rated one of the most exciting prospects in France last year when he finished fourth in the G1 Prix du Jockey Club (French Derby) as a three-year-old when trained by Alain de Royer-Dupre.

The son of Arc winner Peintre Celebre has raced just six times, winning his first two starts at Maisons-Laffitte and the Listed Prix De L'Avre at Longchamp over 2600m and 2400m before he contested the Derby.

Beheshtam was also second in the G2 Prix Niel, a traditional Arc prep race, and was acquired by Moore's “Trainer Syndicate” from his owner the Aga Khan after he finished 12th, beaten only 6.8 lengths, in the Arc won by champion colt Sea The Stars at Longchamp in October.

Moore is hoping Carthage can match the success he has enjoyed with his current star Collection, another Peintre Celebre acquisition from Europe who won last year's G1 Hong Kong Derby and the G1 HK Gold Cup at his most recent start on February 28.

Carthage has been given two recent trials at Sha Tin by Moore as he begins what will be a long build up to his planned Australian campaign in October and November.

"We hope to give him two or three runs in Hong Kong before the end of the season and then ship him to Melbourne for the spring carnival," Moore told SCMP.

Moore plans to send Carthage to Victoria in August with his son George to supervise his training.

"The Caulfield and Melbourne Cups are the two main targets but we will find a couple of lead-up races over shorter distances beforehand,” Moore said.

"His form behind Cavalryman when he was beaten just half a length in the Prix Niel speaks for itself.

“We are very much looking forward to the journey ahead."