In a change of plan, Melbourne Cup favourite White Marlin will continue his build-up to next month’s crucial Andrew Ramsden at racing’s Headquarters.
The unbeaten imported grey was to have followed his superb first-up win in the Group 3 Easter Cup (2000m) at Sandown with an attempt on Saturday’s $300,0000 Mornington Cup, but co-trainer Adrian Bott revealed on Monday there had been a change to his autumn campaign to include a lead-up run at Flemington.
Bott said that White Marlin will be reserved for the 2000-metre open handicap at Flemington on Anzac Day before he goes to the Melbourne Cup qualifier, The Andrew Ramsden (2800m) at the same venue on May 14.
Bott said he and co-trainer Gai Waterhouse feel the popular grey, who has won all of his six races to date, is possibly best suited racing on the bigger track at Flemington after recording a remarkable 5.5-length win at the track over 2800 metres last spring.
“We just wanted to keep him at Flemington where he is trained and that race looks a good one for him on the way through,” Bott said.
“He’s going super. He’s come through that first-up run in great order.”
