Racing Victoria this morning reports last night’s Ascot Gold Cup runner-up, Simenon, will come for this year’s Melbourne Cup.
Irish trainer Willie Mullins came to Melbourne 10 years ago with a horse called Holy Orders, who ran 17th behind Makybe Diva in 2003, and he has been waiting ever since to find another horse good enough to come.
Simenon booked his ticket when he came from near last to be narrowly beaten in a historic and memorable finish by The Queen’s horse Estimate.
Even Mullins said later for the first time in his life he didn’t mind running second in a race.
“Our horse ran well above his form – a career best for him I am sure.
“It was the perfect race to be in and it is special to be involved in a win for The Queen. This is a great day for racing,” Mullins is quoted as saying.
“The plan this year had been to take him to the Melbourne Cup and I always said that if I had a horse good enough to run there, then I would love to go back.
“We had a runner there a few years ago but he had a few of his own ideas about how he should train!
“This horse loves these staying races and I think the Melbourne Cup would suit him really well,” he added.
“I think the Melbourne Cup is the best race in the world, and it is the world’s best party, so that is where we will be heading.
“The plan is to keep the horse sound between now and then, and if we do go then I would like to get him out there early and give him a prep run somewhere beforehand,” he said.
Simenon is a six-year-old and was ridden by champion UK rider Johnny Murtagh.
Source : TVN
