2014 Melbourne Cup – Three European raiders set to flourish at Flemington
The countdown to the 2014 Melbourne Cup continues and this year’s race has attracted a number of European raiders who will be seeking success in the famous contest. The excitement is growing ahead of ‘the race that stops a nation’ and punters all over the world will be keeping a close eye on the international horses that will be making the trip to Flemington on Tuesday 4th November….
The travelling party hadn’t always enjoyed too much glory in the famous highlight but they have started to make a big impact in recent years and Vintage Crop (1993), Media Puzzle (2002), Americain (2010) and Dunaden (2011) have all powered to victory in the showpiece.
We take a look at three raiders that can make an impact in this year’s contest.
PALE MIMOSA – Dermot Weld
Few trainers in racing have such an impressive record with top class stayers and Dermot Weld will be chasing his third Melbourne Cup success with Pale Mimosa later this year.
The hugely talented filly has not always been the most straightforward to train and her master handler has had to be incredibly patient with the fragile daughter of Singspiel. That patience now looks to be paying off and Weld has one of Europe’s leading stayers in his yard.
Her performances this season have shown she is better than ever and her sensational display in the Lonsdale Cup at York last time out was proof that she is ready to tackle the world’s most famous staying race at the end of the season.
Her trainer has already experience what it feels like to saddle winners of the ‘Loving Cup’ and Pale Mimosa looks sure to make her impact felt at Flemington.
DANDINO – Marco Botti
Watch a replay of the 2013 Melbourne Cup and you’ll struggle to miss the unmistakable colours of Dandino flying home to finish fifth behind Fiorente.
The high class seven-year-old finished three and a half lengths behind the winner after being at the back of the field turning for home and many felt that Ryan Moore had cost the raider his chance in a thrilling renewal of the race.
Luckily for his followers Dandino will be back for another crack at the lucrative prize and he looks to be as good as ever ahead of his trip Down Under. Four starts so far this season will have him spot on for his reappearance in the Caulfield Cup and Darren Dance’s charge could be very hard to keep out of the frame.
With a better ride and a bit more luck, Dandino has enough experience to battle all the way to the line in and it’d be no surprise to see him bounce back from his agonising run in the race twelve months ago.
CAVALRYMAN – Saeed Bin Suroor
Cavalryman is rapidly developing into one of Europe’s most popular stayers and Saeed Bin Suroor and the Godolphin team will be hoping that he can take his recent good form to Flemington in November.
Ever since he finished third to the legendary Sea The Stars in the 2009 Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe, the French recruit has become one of the classiest stayers on the circuit and his form so far this season reads a mightily impressive 12114.
His trainer believes that he is the perfect horse for the Melbourne Cup and it’s hard to argue with the fact that Cavalryman’s potent blend of stamina and his fantastic turn of foot are the perfect tools for a crack at the contest.
The superstar finished twelfth in the race in 2012 but he wasn’t in the same form that he is now and it comes as no shock that confidence behind the horse continues to grow.
Article submitted by Peter Hodges
