A 2024 Melbourne Cup start is Just Fine
Just Fine has raced his way into the Melbourne Cup with an all-the-way victory at Flemington.
The G Waterhouse & A Bott-trained stayer dominated the Group 3 The Bart Cummings (2500m) on Saturday to cement his place in the Group 1 Melbourne Cup (3200m) at Flemington on November 5.
Just Fine was already in the field as number 20 in the Order of Entry into Australia’s most famous race, but Saturday’s success earns the stayer a ballot exemption.
In ‘catch me if you can tactics’ under Jordan Childs, Just Fine ($21) held off a late bid from Point King ($5.50 with betting apps) by a head with Amade ($41) a short-half-head away third.
Just Fine is part-owned by My Racehorse who has owners in all parts of Australia and Waterhouse said it would be a great thrill for all the owners to have a Melbourne Cup runner.
“They’re going to have a lot of fun running in our biggest race,” Waterhouse said.
“What a wonderful thing. It happens nowhere else in the world, I can tell you, where people from all different walks of life can have a share in a horse for not much money and to be able to come here on the first Tuesday in November and maybe win a multi-million-dollar race.”
Just Fine turned around his form with his success on Saturday.
The gelding ran a pleasing fifth in the Group 2 Chelmsford Stakes (1600m) at Randwick on September 7, but was comfortably beaten at his first Melbourne start for the campaign in the Group 3 MRC Foundation Cup (2000m) at Caulfield on September 21.
“I saw him the other day when he raced at Caulfield, I wasn’t happy with him, so we gave him a little bit more work and just did some different things,” Waterhouse said.
“I just knew today they would really have to try hard to beat him. It has been a matter of building, getting his fitness level right there, and he’s got lovely cruising speed.”
“And Jordan, that’s Jordan at his best. When Jordan gets going on a front runner, he’s very effective
More Racing News
Adelaide hosts Niance's campaign launch
Grahame Begg, the trainer, is travelling to Adelaide featuring his capable mare Niance, potentially opening doors to a Brisbane-focused campaign for the quick runner.Since Flemington lacks fitting sprint races for Niance on Saturday, Begg chooses the Group 3 John Hawkes Stakes (1100m) held at Morphettville.By chance, Flemington's Anzac Day schedule...
Cap Ferrat set for reunion with Williams in Queen Elizabeth II Cup
The top jockey Craig Williams seeks to conclude a demanding weekend on a high note with a Group 1 win in Hong Kong, reuniting with 2025 Hong Kong Derby champion Cap Ferrat in the Queen Elizabeth II Cup (2000m) at Sha Tin come April 26.On Saturday, Williams boasts almost a...
Recon hands Carey elusive Hareeba Stakes success
Pat Carey, the hometown conditioner, has banished his Hareeba Stakes hoodoo after Recon unleashed a dazzling closing effort to take out the prize at Mornington.Carey had endured ongoing frustration in the Listed Hareeba Stakes (1200m), pursuing a victory across several campaigns, notably second with Kelthorpe in 2006 and third via...
All Aged Stakes delivers Beiwacht's second elite victory
Hall of Fame conditioner Chris Waller's unbeaten autumn dominance in Sydney received a fitting finale from Godolphin's Beiwacht, who powered to a determined lead-all-the-way success versus a elite opposition in the Group 1 $1.5 million All Aged Stakes (1400m) at Royal Randwick on Saturday.In addition, Waller filled the first two...
Mornington Cup win gives Kings Valley direct entry to Caulfield Cup
Kings Valley, under the guidance of trainer Ciaron Maher, has clinched a ballot exemption for the Caulfield Cup courtesy of a gritty performance at Mornington.The Listed Mornington Cup conquest on Saturday delivers the 'Golden Ticket' access to the Group 1 Caulfield Cup (2400m) scheduled for October.Maher notched his second Mornington...
Pride stable trifecta topped by Mazu in Hall Mark Stakes
At eight years old, the exceptional Mazu maintains his sharp turn of foot and zest for competition, setting the tempo wire-to-wire for his third consecutive triumph in Saturday's Group 3 $250,000 Hall Mark Stakes (1200m).Previously, Pride's star had mastered the Hall Mark on rain-affected surfaces where he excels, but facing...
Waller's record Sydney autumn run ends with Fireball edging Champagne Stakes
Chris Waller, the celebrated Hall of Fame trainer, notched a historic Sydney Saturday Group 1 sweep as Fireball got the better of stable companion Campione D'Italia in Saturday's $1 million Champagne Stakes (1600m) at Royal Randwick.The autumn carnival's eighth straight (and last) Sydney Saturday of Group 1 races saw Waller...
JRA Plate victory confirms Asterix at his sharpest
The win by Asterix stood out as somewhat surprising compared to Waller's earlier triumphs, given the progressive eight-year-old gelding was dispatched at $16 into the race.Having captured the New Zealand Derby four years back, Asterix lost momentum for a period before flashing his class last summer with a win in...
Strong Frank Packer Plate win boosts Matias for Queensland Derby
With a powerful victory in the Group 3 $250,000 Frank Packer Plate (2000m), Matias has positioned himself firmly in the Queensland Derby picture.Stablemate Snitzel Dancer had triumphed in the Group 3 Carr Stakes only 35 minutes beforehand.Snitzel, under Ryan's guidance, took out an Oakleigh Plate before retiring to Arrowfield Stud,...
Snitzel Dancer's stakes win opens door to Queensland Oaks campaign
Trainers Gerald Ryan and Sterling Alexiou's belief in Snitzel Dancer was rewarded as the filly claimed her first stakes victory in the Group 3 $250,000 James HB Carr Stakes (1400m).The trainer was puzzled by the filly's efforts in back-to-back Warwick Farm appearances that launched her season.Yet, her dominant Hawkesbury performance...