Annabel Neasham setting her sights on the Melbourne Cup Carnival

Posted by RS NewsWire at 1:26pm on July 31st

Trainer Annabel Neasham is setting her sights on the prestigious races at Flemington’s final day of the Melbourne Cup Carnival, with her elite trio of gallopers.

Leading the charge is Zaaki, the dominant force in the 2000m weight-for-age Champions Stakes, aiming for an unprecedented hat-trick of victories.

The British import has already triumphed in multiple G1 races and amassed over $10 million in prize money.

Neasham’s second contender, , is no stranger to the top level and finished runner-up in last year’s Champions Stakes to stablemate Zaaki.

The rising six-year-old will be looking to reclaim the winner’s circle after his success in the 2021 Winx Stakes.

Completing the trio is My Oberon, a noted wet tracker, who is being considered for the Flemington equivalent of the Champions Mile race after a strong showing in Hong Kong.

With these three formidable contenders, Neasham is poised to make a significant impact on the Melbourne Cup Carnival’s final day, promising an exhilarating display of talent and competition at Flemington.

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