Sea King in 2024 Melbourne Cup pole position
Harry Eustace is hoping to ride his luck with Sea King for just a couple more days in Australia.
The Englishman headed Down Under to tackle the Cox Plate with Docklands, who had in tow a travelling companion who is now a leading contender for an even bigger prize – the Melbourne Cup.
Sea King booked his spot in the Australia’s greatest race with his win in last Wednesday’s Bendigo Cup and on Saturday night came up with pole position in Tuesday’s $8.5 million event over 3200 metres.
Eustace, the brother of Melbourne Cup-winning trainer David, is shaking his head at how things have transpired for Sea King since landing in Victoria but is hoping they can continue on an upward spiral until just after 3pm Tuesday.
“Since being here, the race has started cutting up one way or another and the more that was happening the more we felt if we ran well at Bendigo we’d get in,” Eustace said.
“To go and see him win like he did at Bendigo suddenly meant we had to really start concentrating on being competitive in the race.
“That’s not to say that we weren’t before, but the plan before we came down was very much Bendigo into the Queen Elizabeth (Stakes) just because we thought on the order of entry we’d be a long way away.
“But, here we are. It’s fantastic, it’s what it’s all about, and we’re just trying to enjoy it all the way to Tuesday.”
Sea King emerged as a key Cup chance with his 3-3/4-length win over Melbourne Cup rival Interpretation at Bendigo, when he started from barrier three.
Declan Bates was aboard for that event, but Hollie Doyle takes over in the 2024 Melbourne Cup and Eustace is happy that he’s had experience starting from a low draw in a big field in Australia.
“We were a bit slow to get into stride at Bendigo and I suspect that would have been the same wherever we were drawn, so at least from one Hollie can just worry about finding a position,” he said.
“I’m sure everyone knows, it’s from halfway that everyone starts riding a race.”
Sea King is a $11 chance in Melbourne Cup odds headed by Vauban ($6) and Buckaroo ($6.50).
More Racing News
Spring ambitions kick-off at Sandown for Zambardo
The Mick Price and Michael Kent Jnr stable holds considerable expectations for Zambardo, while also conceding the horse must reach new heights.With nominations for both the Cox Plate and Caulfield Cup, Zambardo commences his campaign in the So You Think Stakes (1500m) at Sandown on Saturday.Zambardo is a lightly raced...
El Castello's Tramway Stakes bid begins with a clean slate
John Thompson expresses satisfaction in commencing El Castello's latest racing campaign with a fresh perspective, maintaining a quiet confidence that the Group 1 victor still possesses untapped talent.The path for the connections of the five-year-old has presented considerable challenges. He distinguished himself as a standout performer of his era by...
Amenable looks to end winless streak in Chautauqua Stakes
Amenable is aiming to break a considerable drought without a win as he makes his debut for Grahame Begg at Sandown.The gelding, previously trained by Mick Price and Michael Kent Jnr, is set to compete in the Group 3 Chautauqua Stakes over 1300 metres on Saturday, having been sidelined for...
Geegees Mistruth readies for Group 1 Moir Stakes challenge
The Mark Walker stable is looking forward to the Moir Stakes at Sandown, with Geegees Mistruth set to make her mark.This 1000-metre Group 1 event is being staged at Sandown this year due to ongoing track renovations and a reconfiguration at Moonee Valley.A competitive field of 13 runners is slated...
Pembrey set to back-up strong Silver Shadow Stakes run in Furious Stakes
Leading Brisbane conditioner Tony Gollan is aiming for Pembrey to replicate her dazzling Silver Shadow Stakes performance when she contests the subsequent event of the four-race Princess Series at Randwick.The three-year-old filly was commanding when leading all the way a fortnight ago. However, with formidable opponents such as the $5.6...
Obucci targets Adelaide success on firmer ground
The Phillip and Tommy Stokes stable has relocated Obucci to Adelaide with the objective of securing another city win.Obucci is slated to participate in the Adelaide Galvanising Industries Handicap (1250m) at Morphettville Parks this coming Saturday, with Noel Callow assigned as the rider.Phillip Stokes explained that Obucci was transferred from...
Trainer Matthew Smith confident Headwall is ready for Concorde Stakes
It's not every day a horse aims for consecutive victories in the same race when starting anew, but Headwall is in that exact scenario as he prepares to kick off his campaign in the Concorde Stakes at Randwick.Having delivered a stunning performance to win the $1 million sprint a year...
Oh Diamond Lil poised for Mona Lisa Stakes return, says King
Despite her quirky nature, stakes winner Oh Diamond Lil is considered by jockey Rachel King to be in the correct frame of mind for a return to top form in the Mona Lisa Stakes at Wyong. King partnered the David Pfieffer-trained mare for her most significant triumph in the Group...
Grander ambitions for Walker's Sandown victor
Tolaga Bay is slated for a Black Type assignment after an impressive winning return at Sandown, continuing her undefeated streak.The Mark Walker-trained filly, by Alabama Express, triumphed in the Sportsbet Blackbook Handicap over 1300 metres on Wednesday.Potential targets for the filly include the Group 2 Thousand Guineas Prelude (1400m) at...
Sing Your Song on track for Flight Stakes after Warwick Farm win
Chris Waller has the Group 1 Flight Stakes on his radar for the well-bred filly Sing Your Song, following her stylish victory in a race that has proven to be a significant spring carnival launching pad.The trainer, usually hesitant to start horses from wide draws, explained that his decision to...