Melbourne Cup dreams alive for Constitution Hill post comeback

Star hurdler Constitution Hill is potentially set for a groundbreaking run at the upcoming Melbourne Cup after a commanding reappearance in British racing over the weekend.

During Racing TV's Luck on Sunday program, aired Sunday afternoon down under, owner Michael Buckley disclosed that the $10m 3200-metre showpiece at Flemington in November stands as his ideal destination.

While Buckley and handler Nicky Henderson remain undecided on a jumps return at Cheltenham Festival next month, the owner harbours clear ambitions for the latter part of the campaign.

"I think we need to make a plan, we can always change it along the way," Buckley said.

"I think that the horse should be running around about the end of August or beginning of September, in either the Ebor (at York), or there's a race at Goodwood, or in the Irish St Leger, with a view to going to Melbourne.

"I think he'll stay two miles on the flat.

"If you were asking me what I'd like to do, that's what I'd like to aim at."

The runner restarted with a 9-1/2 length demolition over 2414m on the all-weather at Southwell, conducted early Saturday Australian time.

It represented Constitution Hill's flat debut, subsequent to unseating in three from his prior four jumps assignments. He had previously captured 10 consecutive jumps races, eight at top level.

Foaled March 17, 2017 as a son of Blue Bresil, Constitution Hill would be rated a 10-year-old for Melbourne Cup purposes due to Australian age calculations for northern horses.

Eight-year-olds Toryboy in 1865, Catalogue in 1938, and Twilight Payment in 2020 hold the mark as the oldest Melbourne Cup winners since the race's inception in 1861.

Primarily a jumps specialist, Constitution Hill requires qualifying black-type flat form for Melbourne Cup eligibility, plus clearance from Racing Victoria's stringent scanning procedures.

Buckley foresees smooth passage, but acknowledges the gelding's quirky trotting stride, ensuring Henderson provides footage to those conducting reviews.

"As far as I know, he doesn't have anything that would be adverse to getting in," Buckley said.

"Nicky will make sure that they have a video of the way he trots…he's a terrible trotter but he seems OK when he's galloping."

Early betting has Constitution Hill at $15 or shorter for the November 3 Melbourne Cup.

Visit online bookmakers to find the keenest markets on Constitution Hill for the Melbourne Cup.