Mornington Cup an option for First Immortal
Mark and Levi Kavanagh are sticking to the plan of running First Immortal at Mornington this Saturday, but which race he contests is yet to be decided.
The exciting staying prospect was among 23 entries for the $300,000 Listed Mornington Cup (2400m) when they closed on Monday, but was also entered for the $150,000 open handicap over 2000m.
The son of Churchill has had two runs this time in, a first-up win over 1600m at Caulfield on All-Star Mile Day and a seventh in the Easter Cup (2000m) when he was stuck down towards the inside, which caused the Kavanaghs to reconsider the third-up run.
First Immortal’s campaign has been geared around the Andrew Ramsden Stakes at Flemington on May 18 and Levi Kavanagh said this weekend’s are plans are aimed at having him in as good a shape as possible for that 2800m event that carries a Melbourne Cup ballot exemption.
“We’ll have him nominated for two races, just to keep our options open, and we’ll have a look at those noms and make a decision, but he’s certainly going to go around at Mornington,” he said.
“He had a good run the other day, he just didn’t get out wind up and we really wanted him to be pushing through the line.
“That’s why we’re just keeping our options open, in case we head to 2000 and then have another run before the Andrew Ramsden.
“I’m certainly still keen to head down that path with the 2400 (Mornington Cup), but we’ll just wait and see.”
The Mornington Cup carries a ballot exemption from the $5 million Group 1 Caulfield Cup in October.
Kavanagh and his father put First Immortal’s Easter Cup result, when he was beaten 2-1/4 lengths by Captain Envious, down to being in the wrong part of the track.
“He ended up on the rail and everything was getting down the outside,” Kavanagh said.
“It was pretty wet and chopped up down there and he just got stuck on the fence. He just didn’t get out when needed too, so onwards and upwards.”
First Immortal heads a strong set of Mornington Cup entries, which include Future History, First Immortal’s conqueror from The Bart Cummings in spring, Captain Envious, Group 2-winning mare Deny Knowledge and Golden Mile winner El Soleado.
More Racing News
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...
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...
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...
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...
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...