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 in November which is on offer for the winner of Saturday’s race.

The Andrew Ramsden had not been on Ferago’s agenda until he chased home Let’Sbefrankbaby over 2400m at Caulfield last Saturday.

Ryan had been eyeing the Listed Sandown Cup (3200m) on June 1 with the stayer, but reasoned Ferago would require another start before that contest.

“I’m really keen on that 3200-metre Sandown Cup, but he’s a real fizz-head and I wanted to put in a race between his last run and that and this is the only one I can find,” Ryan said.

“Leading up to the Warrnambool Cup he had a gap between runs, and he was quite hot in the mounting yard, so he benefits with a quick back-up.”

After starting his career with James Fraser, Ryan got hold of Ferago after owner Joe Pace purchased him on-line for $5000.

The furthest Ferago had raced over prior to joining Ryan was 1400m and he had been banned by stewards for being difficult to load.

Ryan worked on his manners and is now describes him as a ‘real gentleman’, but the trainer will not run the gelding short of 2000m.

“He goes to the beach a lot, he does hurdle trials and getting him out in distance has been the key,” Ryan said.

“He was resenting when the gates opened being under pressure from the get-go, so I’ve pretty much never run him below 2000 metres and when the gates open, it’s a nice slow tempo, which allows him to drop his head.

“He’s a tricky old bugger. If he doesn’t like something, he’ll jack up and that’s why I don’t trial him, as I can’t find trials long enough.

“Maybe his future might end up over hurdles, but at this stage, his flat form warrants having a go.”

Despite having had four runs for the preparation, all at 2000m and beyond, Ryan said Ferago was still reaching full fitness.

With a lack of grass gallops available, his first two runs in the Mt Gambier Cup and the Terang Cup, were described as track gallops ahead of his fourth-place finish in the Warrnambool Cup.

Ryan said Ferago will stay all-day and said the gelding was not far shy of his best which saw him run third in the Group 2 Herbert Power Stakes (2400m) at Caulfield last October.

“He was around some of the big horses in the Herbert Power in the spring and beat home Daqiansweet Junior which run well in the Melbourne Cup and United Nations which finished top ten in the Caulfield,” Ryan said.

“I wouldn’t say it’s an overly stellar Andrew Ramsden, and if the track is not too firm and he can slot across from the barrier, I’d be surprised if he’s not a top five chance.

“There’s a big carrot there, so the little bogan from the Bool with the bargain battler $5000 horse, we’ll have a go.”