BBC Sport
English racehorse Munsef will attempt to become only the third European winner of the Melbourne Cup next month.
Worcestershire trainer Ian Williams is to spend £50,000 on sending Munsef to Australia's biggest horse race.
Munsef is currently in quarantine at Newmarket before he flies out to Melbourne for the race in November.
"It's fantastic, like being in the Olympics," Williams told BBC Midlands Today. "To have a runner is very satisfying."
More than 100,000 spectators attend Melbourne Cup day at Flemington Park and it is a public holiday in parts of Australia.
He's very quiet and laidback. He has the odd bite at you now and again but nothing major
Groom Dawn Oxley
Only two European horses have ever won the race, Vintage Crop in 1993 and Media Puzzle in 2002.
It will cost Alvechurch-based Williams £50,000 to send Munsef to the race but the prize money is £1.7m for the winner and even 10th place pays £60,000.
"It is a huge punt but the horse merits his chance to go and we are delighted to take him," said Williams.
"Munsef was going through the sales at Doncaster in May but the top offer was only £10,000.
"He was retained by the owner and sent to me at Alvechurch. Ever since then it has been a bit of a whirlwind but the wind is still blowing so we will keep whirling."
"Munsef is a lovely horse," said groom Dawn Oxley. "He's very quiet and laidback. He has the odd bite at you now and again but nothing major."
Wednesday, October 7, 2009
Godolphin - Luca Cumani - Kirklees - Crime Scene - Cima de Triomphe - Basaltico
The Godolphin and Luca Cumani camps are hastening slowly in their preparations for the BMW Caulfield Cup and Emirates Melbourne Cup.
In the five days since their arrival in Melbourne last Saturday, Godolphin’s Kirklees and Crime Scene and the Cumani pair Cima de Triomphe and Basaltico have done little more than walking exercise on the track at Sandown.
Kirklees and Crime Scene were scheduled to do some light work this morning (Thursday) but Godolphin’s travelling foreman Tommy Strang said it had been decided to wait until Friday before stepping up their work.
Strang said Kirklees’ temperature, which was slightly elevated when they arrived in Melbourne, was back to normal and all the other signs were positive.
"In the last 48 hours they have totally eaten up as they would have back at home in Newmarket," Strang said.
He said it was understandable that both horses would take a few days to recover from such a long trip and get back into a normal routine.
Strang confirmed that the Caulfield Cup (2400m) on 17 October was the immediate aim for Kirklees rather than the Tatts Cox Plate (2040m) at Moonee Valley a week later.
He said Crime Scene would most likely be kept for the Geelong Cup after which a decision would be made on the Melbourne Cup.
Cumani’s travelling foreman Charlie Henson, who arrived in Melbourne on Monday, is also happy with the progress of Cima de Triomphe and Basaltico.
Cima de Triomphe is high up in the betting for both cups as Cumani bids to go one better than his second placings with Purple Moon and Bauer in the past two Melbourne Cups.
Basaltico will try and make the Melbourne Cup field via the Geelong Cup which Bauer did last year.
Meanwhile, Singapore-trained mare Jolie’s Shinju worked strongly over about 2400 metres this morning as her connections strive to get her back on track for the Cox Plate after her disappointing run at in the JRA Cup at Moonee Valley last Friday night.
In the five days since their arrival in Melbourne last Saturday, Godolphin’s Kirklees and Crime Scene and the Cumani pair Cima de Triomphe and Basaltico have done little more than walking exercise on the track at Sandown.
Kirklees and Crime Scene were scheduled to do some light work this morning (Thursday) but Godolphin’s travelling foreman Tommy Strang said it had been decided to wait until Friday before stepping up their work.
Strang said Kirklees’ temperature, which was slightly elevated when they arrived in Melbourne, was back to normal and all the other signs were positive.
"In the last 48 hours they have totally eaten up as they would have back at home in Newmarket," Strang said.
He said it was understandable that both horses would take a few days to recover from such a long trip and get back into a normal routine.
Strang confirmed that the Caulfield Cup (2400m) on 17 October was the immediate aim for Kirklees rather than the Tatts Cox Plate (2040m) at Moonee Valley a week later.
He said Crime Scene would most likely be kept for the Geelong Cup after which a decision would be made on the Melbourne Cup.
Cumani’s travelling foreman Charlie Henson, who arrived in Melbourne on Monday, is also happy with the progress of Cima de Triomphe and Basaltico.
Cima de Triomphe is high up in the betting for both cups as Cumani bids to go one better than his second placings with Purple Moon and Bauer in the past two Melbourne Cups.
Basaltico will try and make the Melbourne Cup field via the Geelong Cup which Bauer did last year.
Meanwhile, Singapore-trained mare Jolie’s Shinju worked strongly over about 2400 metres this morning as her connections strive to get her back on track for the Cox Plate after her disappointing run at in the JRA Cup at Moonee Valley last Friday night.
Bart Cummings & Allez Wonder
Adelaide Advertiser
MATT STEWART
September 30, 2009 11:30pm
..THE Cups King has a problem - too many Cups contenders.
Bart Cummings' chances of winning a 13th Melbourne Cup, or a seventh Caulfield Cup, improved marginally yesterday when Allez Wonder scored a narrow win at Moonee Valley.
Cummings has always had a high opinion of Allez Wonder, a hard-luck mare whose third in last year's VRC Oaks partially qualified her for a start in both Cups this year.
She is still a long way down the ballot list for both races and would have to win a major lead-up race to be assured of a start in either.
Reg Fleming, Cummings' long-time Melbourne foreman, said he hoped the boss didn't intend to run Allez Wonder in the Herbert Power Handicap at Caulfield on October 10, a traditional springboard to the Caulfield Cup a week later.
"If he does, we'll have half the field," Fleming joked, saying Dandaad and Precedence were certain Herbert Power runners, with Noble Escort a possible starter.
Asked how many Cups contenders Cummings had on his hands, Fleming said: "No idea, too many to count."
Cummings has limited time and few alternatives other than a tilt at the Herbert Power -- and probably risk being balloted from it -- if Allez Wonder is to sneak into the Caulfield Cup.
Allez Wonder's narrow but solid win in yesterday's Pacific Communications Handicap (2040m) prompted TAB Sportsbet to trim her Caulfield Cup quote to $61 and her Melbourne Cup price to $51.
Winning jockey Damien Oliver said Allez Wonder would "stay all day".
Oliver took a pot-shot at yesterday's Valley surface.
"It was grubby racing, which it always is here with the rail out," he said.
Fleming said the Cummings Cup squad was taking shape.
AJC Derby winner Roman Emperor has arrived in Melbourne for the Caulfield Cup and settled in well.
Fleming said Viewed, last year's Melbourne Cup winner who will use Saturday's Turnbull Stakes as a stepping stone to the first Tuesday in November, was "flying".
"He's going. He's the toughest horse I've ever had in 15 years with Bart. He's going better than last year, or at least as good," he said.
MATT STEWART
September 30, 2009 11:30pm
..THE Cups King has a problem - too many Cups contenders.
Bart Cummings' chances of winning a 13th Melbourne Cup, or a seventh Caulfield Cup, improved marginally yesterday when Allez Wonder scored a narrow win at Moonee Valley.
Cummings has always had a high opinion of Allez Wonder, a hard-luck mare whose third in last year's VRC Oaks partially qualified her for a start in both Cups this year.
She is still a long way down the ballot list for both races and would have to win a major lead-up race to be assured of a start in either.
Reg Fleming, Cummings' long-time Melbourne foreman, said he hoped the boss didn't intend to run Allez Wonder in the Herbert Power Handicap at Caulfield on October 10, a traditional springboard to the Caulfield Cup a week later.
"If he does, we'll have half the field," Fleming joked, saying Dandaad and Precedence were certain Herbert Power runners, with Noble Escort a possible starter.
Asked how many Cups contenders Cummings had on his hands, Fleming said: "No idea, too many to count."
Cummings has limited time and few alternatives other than a tilt at the Herbert Power -- and probably risk being balloted from it -- if Allez Wonder is to sneak into the Caulfield Cup.
Allez Wonder's narrow but solid win in yesterday's Pacific Communications Handicap (2040m) prompted TAB Sportsbet to trim her Caulfield Cup quote to $61 and her Melbourne Cup price to $51.
Winning jockey Damien Oliver said Allez Wonder would "stay all day".
Oliver took a pot-shot at yesterday's Valley surface.
"It was grubby racing, which it always is here with the rail out," he said.
Fleming said the Cummings Cup squad was taking shape.
AJC Derby winner Roman Emperor has arrived in Melbourne for the Caulfield Cup and settled in well.
Fleming said Viewed, last year's Melbourne Cup winner who will use Saturday's Turnbull Stakes as a stepping stone to the first Tuesday in November, was "flying".
"He's going. He's the toughest horse I've ever had in 15 years with Bart. He's going better than last year, or at least as good," he said.
Capecover
Racing and Sports
1/10/09
Capecover raced among the second tier staying races last spring including a win in the Queen Elizabeth Stakes and since then Fieldes has aimed at a place on the big stage.
At his fourth run from a spell this season, over 2500m at Moonee Valley yesterday, he worked home strongly to finish a close-up fourth behind fellow Kiwi Sand Hawk.
It was an eye-catching run under the big weight, given he hasn't been comfortable at the tight Moonee Valley track, but over two miles at Flemington Fieldes is hoping he can show that big finish.
“He's on track for what we've got in mind, heading towards the Melbourne Cup, and will drop down to 51.5kg if he gets into the race but his form will have to improve dramatically on what he did yesterday.”
Fieldes believes he can, though, as he's trained the gelding differently this season to ensure he'll run the longer journeys right out in the tougher class.
“We've been planning this for 12 months knowing he's fully qualified. And he grew into a man last year with all that travelling and is a different horse.
“He's had a long slow preparation. We've had that dream of winning a Melbourne Cup and we've turned him into a grinding stayer so he just doesn't have that ping that he had last year.”
Capecover's next assignment is the Group 2 Winning Edge Stakes (Herbert Power) over 2400m at Caulfield on Saturday week.
He is currently 36th in order for entry for the Melbourne Cup where he has just 51.5kg.
After yesterday's eye-catching effort he was supported in Melbourne Cup betting and is now a $26.00 chance with Betchoice.
1/10/09
Capecover raced among the second tier staying races last spring including a win in the Queen Elizabeth Stakes and since then Fieldes has aimed at a place on the big stage.
At his fourth run from a spell this season, over 2500m at Moonee Valley yesterday, he worked home strongly to finish a close-up fourth behind fellow Kiwi Sand Hawk.
It was an eye-catching run under the big weight, given he hasn't been comfortable at the tight Moonee Valley track, but over two miles at Flemington Fieldes is hoping he can show that big finish.
“He's on track for what we've got in mind, heading towards the Melbourne Cup, and will drop down to 51.5kg if he gets into the race but his form will have to improve dramatically on what he did yesterday.”
Fieldes believes he can, though, as he's trained the gelding differently this season to ensure he'll run the longer journeys right out in the tougher class.
“We've been planning this for 12 months knowing he's fully qualified. And he grew into a man last year with all that travelling and is a different horse.
“He's had a long slow preparation. We've had that dream of winning a Melbourne Cup and we've turned him into a grinding stayer so he just doesn't have that ping that he had last year.”
Capecover's next assignment is the Group 2 Winning Edge Stakes (Herbert Power) over 2400m at Caulfield on Saturday week.
He is currently 36th in order for entry for the Melbourne Cup where he has just 51.5kg.
After yesterday's eye-catching effort he was supported in Melbourne Cup betting and is now a $26.00 chance with Betchoice.
Mr Clangtastic & Alcopop
Racing & Sports
Cup Penalties For Weekend Winners
Monday, 28 September 2009: Racing Victoria chief handicapper Greg Carpenter has issued spring carnival weight penalties to Mr Clangtastic and Alcopop following their feature race wins over the weekend.
Mr Clangtastic has been penalised 1kg for both the Caulfield Cup and Melbourne Cup following his win in the G3 Colin Stephen Quality over 2400m at Randwick on Saturday.
He now has 51kg in both races.
“Mr Clangtastic fought on courageously to win after leading with 57kg on Saturday and has now won each of his three runs over 2400m,” Carpenter said.
“Since Cup weights were released he has also won the Wyong Cup.
”The penalty lifts Mr Clangtastic to 36th in the elimination order for the Caulfield Cup and takes him past the ballot clause for the Melbourne Cup where he is now 45th in the elimination order.
Alcopop has been penalised 1kg for the Melbourne Cup, taking his weight to 51kg, following his win in the Listed JRA Cup at Moonee Valley last Friday night.
Alcopop, who is not a second acceptor for the Caulfield Cup, has been in terrific form for young South Australian trainer Jake Stephens.
“Alcopop won the Balaklava Cup in track record time following the release of weights and was again impressive in winning the JRA Cup,” Carpenter said.
The five-year-old still has to pass the ballot clause for the Melbourne Cup where he is currently 81st on the elimination order.
Cup Penalties For Weekend Winners
Monday, 28 September 2009: Racing Victoria chief handicapper Greg Carpenter has issued spring carnival weight penalties to Mr Clangtastic and Alcopop following their feature race wins over the weekend.
Mr Clangtastic has been penalised 1kg for both the Caulfield Cup and Melbourne Cup following his win in the G3 Colin Stephen Quality over 2400m at Randwick on Saturday.
He now has 51kg in both races.
“Mr Clangtastic fought on courageously to win after leading with 57kg on Saturday and has now won each of his three runs over 2400m,” Carpenter said.
“Since Cup weights were released he has also won the Wyong Cup.
”The penalty lifts Mr Clangtastic to 36th in the elimination order for the Caulfield Cup and takes him past the ballot clause for the Melbourne Cup where he is now 45th in the elimination order.
Alcopop has been penalised 1kg for the Melbourne Cup, taking his weight to 51kg, following his win in the Listed JRA Cup at Moonee Valley last Friday night.
Alcopop, who is not a second acceptor for the Caulfield Cup, has been in terrific form for young South Australian trainer Jake Stephens.
“Alcopop won the Balaklava Cup in track record time following the release of weights and was again impressive in winning the JRA Cup,” Carpenter said.
The five-year-old still has to pass the ballot clause for the Melbourne Cup where he is currently 81st on the elimination order.
Betting Market 27/9/09
Emirates Melbourne Cup – totesport bet: 12 Changingoftheguard, Profound Beauty, Vigor, 14 C’est La Guerre, Efficient, Speed Gifted, 16 Master O’Reilly, Viewed, 20 Age Of Aquarius, Roman Emperor, 25 Daffodil, Mourilyan, Munsef, Precedence, Shocking, Tuesday Joy, Zipping, Cima De Triomphe, 33 bar.
Cima De Triomphe's
8 Sep 2009
Punters will no doubt be intrigued to hear that a final decision on Cima De Triomphe's participation in the Emirates Melbourne Cup is fast approaching.
Reports in Australia are claiming that his trainer Luca Cumani has confirmed the colt and he will join stablemate Basaltico on the journey to Melbourne. The horse was last seen finishing fourth in the Arlington Million after beating King George winner Conduit in the Brigadier Gerard Stakes.
Patrick Barbe, racing manager for Cima De Triomphe's owner Teruya Yoshida, said: "It is not yet finalised 100%. I believe he has to enter quarantine before next Thursday, but at the moment Mr Cumani and Mr Yoshida are discussing it. If he did not go to Melbourne, he would run in the Arc de Triomphe."
Despite being successful in last year’s Italian Derby, Cima De Triomphe would be called on to race over more than half a mile further than his usual distances if he were to take his place in the legendary race.
Tuesday was the first forfeit stage for November's race and there remain 18 exciting overseas entries, including Aidan O'Brien's St Leger pair, Changingoftheguard and Age Of Aquarius while Dermot Weld has left in Profound Beauty, Directa King and Ghimaar.
Cima De Triomphe can be backed for the race at odds of 75.00 (Betfair). The same firm make Profound Beauty their 14.5 favourite.
Punters will no doubt be intrigued to hear that a final decision on Cima De Triomphe's participation in the Emirates Melbourne Cup is fast approaching.
Reports in Australia are claiming that his trainer Luca Cumani has confirmed the colt and he will join stablemate Basaltico on the journey to Melbourne. The horse was last seen finishing fourth in the Arlington Million after beating King George winner Conduit in the Brigadier Gerard Stakes.
Patrick Barbe, racing manager for Cima De Triomphe's owner Teruya Yoshida, said: "It is not yet finalised 100%. I believe he has to enter quarantine before next Thursday, but at the moment Mr Cumani and Mr Yoshida are discussing it. If he did not go to Melbourne, he would run in the Arc de Triomphe."
Despite being successful in last year’s Italian Derby, Cima De Triomphe would be called on to race over more than half a mile further than his usual distances if he were to take his place in the legendary race.
Tuesday was the first forfeit stage for November's race and there remain 18 exciting overseas entries, including Aidan O'Brien's St Leger pair, Changingoftheguard and Age Of Aquarius while Dermot Weld has left in Profound Beauty, Directa King and Ghimaar.
Cima De Triomphe can be backed for the race at odds of 75.00 (Betfair). The same firm make Profound Beauty their 14.5 favourite.
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