Future History claims Melbourne Cup 2023 start
The Ciaron Maher and David Eustace-trained Future History has won the ‘Golden Ticket’ into the Melbourne Cup with his all-the-way win in The Bart Cummings at Flemington.
Success in Saturday’s Group 3 contest over 2520m provides the winner a ballot exemption into the Melbourne Cup (3200m) on November 7.
Future History joins Goldman and Lunar Flare as horses to have gained a start in the Melbourne Cup through ballot free contests.
Ridden by Craig Williams, Future History ($9) held-off a determined $3.80 Boombet favourite First Immortal to score by three-quarters-of-a-length with Serpentine ($13) a further 1-¼ lengths away third.
Williams partnered Future History in a gallop at Sandown last Sunday that gave the jockey the confidence that he would be aboard a fit horse on Saturday.
“The horse galloped really well, and I got an understanding of his mannerisms,” Williams said.
“He is such a lovely, relaxed horse to lead up and gallop. When I forced him to run down the hill at Sandown, I had to make him do it and if Ashrun was able to get to him he would be able to hold it.
“He did that at Moonee Valley two starts ago and it was plain to see here.
“First Immortal, really progressive, challenged him and he kept laying down the gauntlet.
“He’s a deserved winner of the ‘Golden Ticket’ into the Melbourne Cup and he was dominant today.”
Eustace said Future History was likely to go straight into the Melbourne Cup 2023 without another start.
After starting his career in France, Future History had his first Australian start at Sandown in June and was a winner at Moonee Valley in late August.
Mark and Levi Kavanagh, who prepare the runner-up First Immortal, were ruing a poor draw with their stayer who was also racing for the ‘Golden ‘Ticket’.
First Immortal was trapped wide early and was never closer than three-wide for the journey.
“We opted to run this week instead of next week (Herbert Power Stakes) because we wanted to have a go at The Cup,” Levi Kavanagh said.
“The wide alley cost us today. It was a great run and if we had drawn a gate, maybe the result would have been different.
“We’ve still got a horse and he’s going to figure in a good race, somewhere, in the next few weeks.”
More Racing News
Opal Ridge signals Queensland carnival intentions in Ortensia Stakes
A relieved Luke Pepper will press on to the Queensland winter carnival with renewed confidence after an underdone Opal Ridge maintained her perfect home track record with a classy victory in the Ortensia Stakes at Scone. Pepper admitted to some pre-race anxiety given Opal Ridge hadn’t raced since November, but he banked on...
The Map lands a Melbourne Cup berth
Six months of planning has paid off with The Map earning a ‘Golden Ticket’ into the Melbourne Cup. The Listed Andrew Ramsden Stakes (2800m) at Flemington on Saturday grants the winner a ballot exemption into the Group 1 Melbourne Cup (3200m) in November. Trainers Dan Clarken and Oopy Macgillivray planned their assault on Saturday’s...
Lloyd keeps his cool as Cindy collects Dark Jewel Classic
A composed ride from Zac Lloyd has helped Fall For Cindy post an invaluable Group Three win, the star apprentice keeping his cool despite having to throw the script out the window shortly after the start. Lloyd had hoped to settle the John O’Shea-trained mare in the first half of the field and...
Draw favours Who Dares in The Straight Six
Who Dares has finally lived up to the lofty expectations placed on him winning a Stakes race at Flemington. The Listed Straight Six (1200m) on Saturday fell the way of the heavily supported gelding, prepared at Mornington by Pat Carey and Harris Walker. Sent out the $3.30 favourite under Patrick Moloney, Who Dares scored...
Bella Nipotina beats I Wish I Win in the Doomben 10,000
Ciaron Maher has been left to marvel at the tenacity of bonny mare Bella Nipotina, who has overcome a busy travel schedule to upset I Wish I Win in the $1.5 million Doomben 10,000. Kicking off her preparation in Melbourne, Bella Nipotina was narrowly edged out by Chain Of Lightning in the T J...
Bool battler chasing a Melbourne Cup dream
The self-proclaimed little bogan from the Bool with the bargain battler $5000 horse is chasing the dream of a Melbourne Cup start at Flemington. Patrick Ryan Jnr and his stayer Ferago head to the Listed Andrew Ramsden (2800m) in search of a ballot exemption into the Group 1 Melbourne Cup (3200m) at Flemington...
‘Cheeky’ Attractable ready to roll in the Scone Cup
Attractable has been keeping trainer Sara Ryan on her toes in the lead-up to the Scone Cup and when he is causing mischief on the training track, it usually equates to a bold race day performance. “He’s very much a confidence horse. He thrives off being confident and happy and you know when...
Shall Samuel and Twain meet in the Melbourne Cup?
To breed one Melbourne Cup runner is an achievement, but to have two in the same race from the one family is something not many can boast. But that’s the dream Gail Temperton and Stan Alexander are hoping to realise this year and Samuel Langhorne can take a giant step towards making...
Joyful Fortune returns for The Straight Six contest
Former Hong Kong galloper Joyful Fortune is set to renew acquaintances with the Flemington straight in his first run for the Ciaron Maher stable. Joyful Fortune was unbeaten in two starts on the Flemington straight when prepared by Sydney conditioner Mark Newnham. With Newnham now based in Hong Kong, Joyful Fortune will have his...
Local mare to launch carnival mission in Ortensia Stakes
Luke Pepper believes the best is still ahead for dual stakes winner Opal Ridge, who will be chasing her second feature race win at Scone in as many years when she resumes in the Ortensia Stakes. The talented mare was triumphant in the Luskin Star Stakes (1300m) on the corresponding program 12...