Okita Soushi Strikes Gold, into the 2024 Melbourne Cup
Ciaron Maher continues to build a strong Melbourne Cup hand and will add another to his team come the first Tuesday in November with Okita Soushi, who took out the Group 2 Moonee Valley Gold Cup (2500m) on Friday night.
Okita Soushi ($11) was afforded a soft run just off the pace by Billy Egan who took over in the straight to hold off Serpentine ($6) by half a length, with the New Zealand trained Sharp ‘N’ Smart ($19) working home well for third just ahead of race favourite Francesco Guardi.
The former import came to Melbourne last year for the Caulfield and Melbourne Cups when trained by Joseph O’Brien, finishing 11th at Flemington behind Without A Fight before transferring to the Maher stable.
Assistant trainer Jack Turnbull believes the son of Galileo has just needed to build his fitness and get over a staying trip to flourish, having finished second in the Group 2 Herbert Power Stakes (2400m) last start.
“He’s just a classic stayer that wants twelve furlongs. Once you get him to that level, and at a level of fitness, he excels. He showed that last start, and he’s gone on and done it again today. He’s in really good form,” Turnbull said.
Prior to the race, Okita Soushi was 34th in the order of entry for the Melbourne Cup but will make it safely into the field with Turnbull confirming that has been the plan all along.
“It’s always been the long-term plan when he came to us off the back of his last campaign in spring. It’s really good and pleasing when things work out in terms of timing.”
Meanwhile, the stable hasn’t given up hope of Saint George making the Melbourne Cup field, Turnbull pleased to see the grey, who sits 31st in the order of entry, running on well late for fifth.
“Saw a bit of grey flashing light, which is fantastic. He’s a few spots higher than Okita. With attrition, there’s every chance that he might sneak in because that’s what we wanted to see,” Turnbull said,
The Ciaron Maher stable have seven runners still entered for the Melbourne Cup 2024, with Okita Soushi now a $26 chance with gambling companies.
More Racing News
Mr consistency heads to the 2026 Ballarat Cup
Ocean Beyond might not always warm the hearts of punters, but he remains an exceptionally consistent earner for his connections. The Simon Ryan-trained gelding will attempt to secure his biggest payday yet when he contests the $500,000 Listed Ballarat Cup (2000m) on Saturday, entering the race with more than $535,000 already...
Bar raised for in-form colt Swift Legend
Swift Legend has earned his opportunity in stronger company after back-to-back midweek victories, but jockey Jason Collett remains cautious as the colt continues to mature. The Dundeel youngster lines up in Sunday’s Vinnie @ Yarraman Park Handicap (1500m) at Rosehill, stepping out from recent wins at Warwick Farm and Canterbury. Collett says...
Inhabit out to book a 2026 Magic Millions Classic trip
Unbeaten filly Inhabit will be racing for a Magic Millions berth when she steps out again on Saturday. A stylish debut winner at Murray Bridge in October, she now lines up in the Sportsbet Same Race Multi Two-Year-Old Plate (1000m) at Morphettville Parks. Her assignment has been simplified with three scratchings, leaving...
Rob and Annabel Archibald hoping to return north with West Of Africa
Despite Sydney lacking a feature race this weekend, Sunday’s Rosehill program will be pivotal for Rob and Annabel Archibald as they shape their Magic Millions carnival team. The Archibalds will run West Of Africa and Mickey’s Medal in the TAB Handicap (1400m), with both aiming to justify a January trip to...
Tommy Berry to test the summer carnival waters in 2025 George Moore Stakes
Tommy Berry will be a key figure in Brisbane this weekend as he reunites with Caballus, while also unveiling a valuable Magic Millions hopeful. Berry’s association with Caballus includes a Flemington stakes win two starts ago, prior to the sprinter backing up into the Champions Sprint, where he was unplaced behind...
SA raider Promises Kept chases 2025 Ballarat Cup
Trainer Michael Hickmott is confident that new stable acquisition Promises Kept can give his owners plenty to look forward to over the next fortnight. The gelding heads east for Saturday’s Listed Ballarat Cup (2000m) and may then target the Listed Pakenham Cup (2500m) seven days later. Previously trained by Greg Eurell and...
Michael Dee makes Ascot return for Apulia in 2025 Northerly Stakes
Group 1-winning jockey Michael Dee is set to make a rare Perth appearance as he chases more elite-level success aboard Apulia. Dee will ride the Lindsay Park-trained entire in the Northerly Stakes (1800m) at Ascot, marking his first visit to the track since November 2018. The Victorian lightweight has a strong record...
Son of ill-fated stallion St Jean scores impressive debut win
Melek, a staying-bred son of St Jean, made the perfect start to his racing career with a determined win over the mile at Caulfield Heath on Wednesday. The Ciaron Maher-trained four-year-old debuted in the Sportsbet Race Previews Plate (1600m) and made an immediate impact. Starting at $4.20 after firming late, Melek charged...
Weather prompts Rosehill races transfer
Saturday’s Rosehill race meeting will now be held on Sunday after Racing NSW moved to avoid anticipated extreme heat across Sydney, with temperatures set to surge past 40 degrees. Racing NSW stewards had tracked forecasts closely all week and, with no relief in sight, chief steward Tom Moxon confirmed the rescheduling...
Slick return has Lubrication ready to rumble in 2025 George Moore Stakes
Lubrication has put his hand up for a strong summer campaign after a powerhouse first-up performance that sends him into the Group Three George Moore Stakes at Doomben full of confidence. The gelding enjoyed a breakout moment in May when winning the $1 million The Archer (1300m) at Rockhampton, defeating future...