Cleveland boosts 2023 Melbourne Cup credentials in Moonee Valley Cup
Cleveland has won his first race in Australia from seven attempts, taking out the Group 2 Moonee Valley Gold Cup (2500m) on Friday night. A former Sydney Cup favourite and now with Kris Lees, the former Joseph O’Brien trained stayer is already assured of a Melbourne Cup start.
Under a typically composed James McDonald ride, Cleveland ($6.50) ran on well to beat assured Cup hopes Vow And Declare ($6.50) by 3/4 lengths, with a nose back to Future History ($7.50) in third and Lunar Flare ($3.90 fav) in fourth.
Kris Lees, who has only had the son of five-year-old entire by Camelot since August, was thrilled to train a winner for the Williams family and suggested that the horse could take his place in the Group 1 Melbourne Cup (3200m).
“We hope (he’ll run). He’ll come on again, I think he’s found a bit of form and I think he’ll hold it now,” Lees said.
“I’ve been mates with Nick (Williams) for a very long time, I’m very fortunate he’s given us an opportunity to take some nice horses and I repaid him with one today.”
Williams, who was on track at Moonee Valley, echoed the thoughts, jokingly suggesting the 3/4 length win wasn’t good enough to attract a penalty for the Melbourne Cup 2023.
“I’m sure David Hegan (Racing Victoria Chief Handicapper) is probably watching tonight… probably not a very good race this, I’m sure the 51 and a half he’s got there is enough, not any more,” Williams joked.
“We’ll see how he pulls up and make a decision on Saturday or Sunday but obviously you’d think we would head in that direction but we’ll see.”
James Mcdonald, who only had one ride on the card for one win, won’t be able to ride Cleveland in the Melbourne Cup due to his current allotted weight of 51.5kg but suggested the race will be wide open.
“It’s very competitive, take the top three out, they look the class acts but you never know, it’s two miles, down in the weights, you’re a chance,” McDonald said.
A winner over 3749m at Chester in the UK, Cleveland firmed in to $14 in Melbourne Cup markets after the win with Aussie betting sites.
More Racing News
Tempted claims The Everest crown in thrilling renewal
The tenth running of The Everest delivered a familiar outcome at the top but with a new champion crowned, as Tempted outdueled Ka Ying Rising before a record-breaking crowd of 52,110.For trainer Ciaron Maher, this victory represents his second success in The Everest, building on Bella Nipotina's triumph in 2024....
Autumn Glow's flawless Sydney spring culminates in King Charles triumph
Autumn Glow smoothly assumed the lead in the prestigious Group 1 $5 million King Charles III Stakes (1600m) as the field turned for home, just as Ceolwulf began to mount a challenge.Trainer Chris Waller reportedly turned to jockey Darren Beadman and inquired, "Are we in trouble?" Beadman's swift reply was,...
Gavin Bedggood celebrates biggest win as Kingswood triumphs in Caulfield Cup
Trainer Gavin Bedggood has achieved his career-defining success with Kingswood winning the Caulfield Cup.The Group 1 Caulfield Cup (2400m) on Saturday was claimed by the UK-bred import Kingswood, marking Bedggood's most significant achievement, eclipsing his previous best in the 2024 Moir Stakes at Moonee Valley.Bedggood, who was a proficient jumps...
Apocalyptic finds her best form in the Silver Eagle
While it was a supporting event on The Everest undercard, Apocalyptic's triumphant return to the winner's circle on Saturday was a considerable achievement for trainer Michael Freedman and jockey Tommy Berry.The mare, a Group 1 victor of last year's Flight Stakes, had been underperforming in the autumn and her initial...
War Machine back in winning form at Caulfield
A great deal has transpired for War Machine over the past twelve months.On the equivalent weekend last year, the horse trained by Ben, Will, and Jd Hayes, War Machine, was competing in Sydney for The Everest.While the results didn't align with the Lindsay Park trainers' aspirations, War Machine had entered...
Saintly Dancer's Thousand Guineas triumph highlights Shinn's comeback
Jockey Blake Shinn has celebrated his first Group 1 win since recovering from a significant leg injury, as Saintly Dancer dictated terms from the front to capture the Thousand Guineas at Caulfield.Shinn endured a fractured leg from a fall during last year's Melbourne Cup and made his return to competitive...
Chains Of Love's stunning Kosciuszko win defies the odds
In a truly remarkable turn of events, Chains Of Love, despite her challenging draw and a run wide for the entirety of the race, managed to surge past Band Of Brothers in a thrilling conclusion.This victory marks a consecutive win in The Kosciuszko for the training partnership of Paul Messara...
Grafterburners triumphs in Sydney Stakes after declining Everest start
Kelly Schweida, the trainer, has disclosed that he declined an offer for an Everest slot for Grafterburners to focus on its $2 million consolation race. This decision has proven to be a masterstroke, as the colt has claimed a thrilling Sydney Stakes victory at Randwick.The Queensland trainer felt his charge...
So You Are books Melbourne Cup ticket after St Leger triumph
The connections of improving stayer So You Are can celebrate a successful outcome, as the horse has overcome a pre-race incident to position itself favourably for a Melbourne Cup start.In Saturday's St Leger Stakes (2600m) at Randwick, the Bjorn Baker-trained $3.30 favourite, ridden by Tommy Berry, demonstrated resilience to fend...
Caulfield Classic and Ethereal Stakes Produce New Classic Hopefuls
The complexion of the Spring Carnival's two major Group 1 Classics was altered on Saturday with the emergence of two significant new players at Caulfield.King Snitz has propelled himself into Victoria Derby calculations following a last-stride triumph in the Caulfield Classic, while Quick Finish has climbed the Oaks betting charts...