2025 Melbourne Cup Golden Ticket set to go unclaimed as Parchment Party wins Belmont Gold Cup
Parchment Party delivered a dominant display in the Grade 2 Belmont Gold Cup at Saratoga, with John Velazquez Jnr giving the four-year-old a dream ride to clinch a golden ticket into the 2025 Melbourne Cup.
The 3200-metre turf contest was reduced to 2800 metres on dirt after heavy rain hit New York, prompting officials to change the course less than an hour before the jump. Despite the surface switch, the Melbourne Cup qualification criteria remained valid.
Velazquez Jnr kept his cool on the $16 chance, sitting patiently behind the speed before launching around the home turn to run down pacesetter Yo Daddy ($6), clearing out to win by over six lengths. Padiddle ($13) came from the rear to finish third, a further six lengths back.
Trainer Bill Mott praised the horse’s dirt ability but poured cold water on a Melbourne Cup trip, noting Parchment Party’s unsuitability to turf racing despite earning a spot in the famous Flemington feature.
This latest win marks Velazquez Jnr’s third Belmont Gold Cup title in recent years, alongside victories on The Grey Wizard (2024) and Baron Samedi (2021). It was also one of three winners he rode on the Saratoga card.
For racing fans and punters keeping an eye on Melbourne Cup hopefuls, check out the latest futures odds, runner updates, and betting promos from Australia’s top betting sites.
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