Kiwis vie for a berth in the 2025 Melbourne Cup field

Before Europe became the dominant source of Cup contenders, New Zealand-bred stayers routinely arrived and spoiled the party.

That tradition could resurface in Saturday’s The Bart Cummings (2500m) at Flemington—the final ‘win and you’re in’ path to the Melbourne Cup (3200m) on November 4. Among the 17 acceptors are nine European-breds, three Australian-breds, and five from across the Tasman.

Of the five Kiwi-breds, three represent New Zealand trainers—two having already ventured to Melbourne this campaign—while the newcomer is Trav, fresh off an Auckland Cup triumph and chasing a Cup berth by winning on Saturday.

Trainer Raymond Connors, a former amateur jumps rider who once partnered Kevin Myers’ horses, has long harboured the Flemington dream.

“We’ve come a long way and it’s great to be here, but we’ll see how we go on Saturday,” Connors said at Flemington on Friday morning.

“We might be going home pretty quick too, but hopefully the horse runs well.

“It’s funny how things evolve over time, from the beginning, to now, it’s a bit of a dream.”

Trav earned his stable nickname as a weanling—staff joked he’d be the one constantly on the road—and the name stuck. With six wins from 28, his March victory in the Auckland Cup put the Cup firmly on the radar.

“He was rising six at the time and we thought we’d give him the opportunity,” Connors said.

“It’s always been a dream to get a horse into the Melbourne Cup and none of us are getting any younger, so we thought we might as well give it a go.

“This horse might not be up to it, but we might not get another chance. He seems to stay the distance. He’s run the two miles twice and run it well.”

Third-up improvement is expected, with a likely follow-up in the Geelong Cup on October 22 if needed to secure a ballot exemption.

Twelve months ago, fellow Kiwi Mark Twain grabbed his ‘Golden Ticket’ via The Roy Higgins, only for a tendon injury to derail the Melbourne Cup tilt and send him to Matthew Williams for rehab.

“It was a bit gutting having got the ‘Golden Ticket’ last year through the Roy Higgins and not being able to run in the race,” Wellwood said.

“He’s a very sound and healthy horse now and it’s nice to be back in a position where we’re looking at being a chance of heading down the Melbourne Cup path, but we need to get a couple more runs out of the way first.

“To win The Bart Cummings, or if we head to the Geelong Cup after this, would also be great, but the Melbourne Cup is always the dream and that’s the path he’s on.

“Hopefully he can go a couple of nice races at his next two starts and line-up on the first Tuesday in November in good order.”

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