Melbourne Cup hopefuls to gallop at Flemington
Mick Price and Michael Kent Jnr will take the opportunity of giving Lastotchka a look at Flemington before the Melbourne Cup.
Lastotchka will be joined by the Willie Mullins pair of Vauban and Absurde and travel from the quarantine centre at Werribee Racecourse to gallop at Flemington on Tuesday at Breakfast With The Stars in preparation for the Group 1 Melbourne Cup (3200m) on November 7.
Tuesday morning’s gallops will give punters their first look at the trio, with Vauban heading Melbourne Cup odds.
Lastotcka arrived in Melbourne two weeks ago to undergo quarantine at Werribee and Price has headed out to that track to watch the French-bred mare in trackwork.
“She is lightly framed but what’s there is quality,” Price said.
“She has got a good stride on her, she’s got a good set of lungs, good temperament and is lovely and sound.
“She’s settled in beautifully and she’s one of the very few horses to travel on the plane and put on weight from the trip.
“She put on a kilo. IRT have probably improved their freighting of horses over the years. She had a crate and was able to get her head down.”
Price said Lastotchka, who was purchased by Australian Bloodstock, owners of last year’s Cup winner Gold Trip, would gallop over 1200m on Tuesday morning to get her bearings.
The mare will then be presented for pre-race scans to be given the all-clear to run on Tuesday week.
“All her solid pace work has been done at Werribee,” Price said.
“I must say Racing Victoria have got their act together really well at Werribee. I think if you use it properly there will be no problems.
“At this point I’ve had no trouble with her.”
Price said he would love to see some rain ahead of Tuesday week and a soft track for the Cup as the mare excels on that type of going.
More Racing News
War Machine to target the 2026 Australia Stakes
Top-class sprinter War Machine will resume in the Group 2 Australia Stakes (1200m) at Pakenham on Friday night as connections eye a strong autumn campaign. The race, traditionally held at Moonee Valley, has been moved due to redevelopment works and shapes as an ideal launchpad for the Lindsay Park galloper. War Machine...
Antino to target 2026 Queen Elizabeth Stakes in the Autumn
A strong trial session at Deagon on Tuesday will be highlighted by the return of Antino as Tony Gollan begins plotting another autumn campaign for the talented gelding. Antino has not raced since his disappointing effort in the Group 1 Cox Plate, where he finished last after failing to fire on...
2026 Golden Slipper Stakes favourite Incognito nearing return to the races
The absence of Incognito from the Magic Millions 2YO Classic did little to dent his standing in Golden Slipper markets, with the colt edging closer to a raceday return. Michael Freedman elected to sidestep the Gold Coast feature with the $1 million purchase, instead opting for a controlled trial as the...
Torque To Be Sure breaks maiden in 2026 Magic Millions Guineas, survives protest
Torque To Be Sure finally lived up to his promise with a breakthrough victory in the $3 million Magic Millions 3yo Guineas, though his success came with a nervous wait in the stewards’ room. The Matthew Dunn-trained gelding drifted under pressure in the closing stages, bumping race favourite Ninja as the...
Big Sky surges into 2026 Blue Diamond Stakes calculations
Big Sky’s dominant debut at Flemington has propelled him straight into calculations for the Group 1 Blue Diamond Stakes (1200m), giving Mick Price and Michael Kent Jnr the top two runners in early betting. The Bivouac colt overcame a wide draw in the TAB We’re On (1000m), travelling strongly under Jordan...
Mile no issue for Merrigold in 2026 Vobis Gold Distaff
Trainer John Sadler admitted a touch of stubbornness delayed Merrigold’s step up to 1600 metres, but the mare made him look wise with a dominant Flemington victory. The five-year-old was having her first start beyond 1400 metres and handled the rise in distance with ease when taking out the Vobis Gold...
Unit Five powers home in the 2026 Magic Millions Classic
Unit Five announced himself as a rising star with a powerful victory in the $3 million Magic Millions 2YO Classic, overcoming far more seasoned rivals despite limited race experience. The Ciaron Maher-trained colt, ridden confidently by Thomas Stockdale, held off Tornado Valley by a length, with By Choice finishing just behind...
Future History too strong in the 2026 January Cup
Future History showed his class and toughness when landing the $200,000 Listed January Cup at Rosehill, giving Ciaron Maher another feature race success. The eight-year-old almost didn’t take his place in the race after heavy rain downgraded the track, but connections elected to press on despite concerns about the conditions. Ridden positively...
Golden Slipper Stakes 2026 plans for Godolphin’s Outspan
The Godolphin-trained Outspan has thrust himself into Golden Slipper calculations after a commanding win at Rosehill on Saturday. After settling just behind the speed in the 1100m contest, the Michael Freedman-trained colt finished strongly to defeat Long Throw ($15) by 1-1/2 lengths, with Miss Chanel ($4.60) another half-length back. The performance marked...
Tony Gollan’s two-year-old Itching To Go in 2026 Magic Millions Classic
Tony Gollan is leaning on a proven strategy as Itchintogo lines up on a seven-day backup in the Magic Millions 2yo Classic (1200m) this Saturday. The approach has delivered strong results historically, with six winners of the $3 million race following the same path over the past 15 years. Purchased for $60,000...