Plans are already in place for Melbourne Cup champion Dunaden to return to Australia to defend the title he won by the barest of margins at Flemington.
Trainer Mikel Delzangles said the horse had come through Tuesday’s race in perfect order and would return to France next week for a winter rest.
“If he’s well he’ll come back next year,” Delzangles said after inspecting Dunaden at the Werribee training centre on Wednesday.
If he does return, Dunaden seems bound to be accompanied by even more European runners than he faced this year, but his trainer isn’t subscribing to theories that Australia’s great race will be at the mercy of overseas runners.
“There will be more horses from Europe, but it doesn’t mean they will win every year,” he said.
“It is a very hard race to win.”
Dunaden’s achievement wasn’t lost on owner Sheikh Fahad al Thani, a 22-year-old member of the ruling family of Qatar who has been racing horses for less than two years.
“It is massive, I don’t think there is a bigger race to win,” Sheikh Fahad said.
“I am truly lucky to have done it in my second year, many people spend a lifetime trying to win this race.”
Both owner and trainer paid tribute to winning jockey Christophe Lemaire and the man he replaced aboard Dunaden, Melbourne rider Craig Williams who rode the horse to victory at Geelong two weeks ago but missed the Cup mount after being suspended.
“I am very thankful for Christophe and I am sorry for Craig,” Sheikh Fahad said.
“Christophe has a cool head, he walked the track and got a few pointers and he executed it perfectly.
“He’s a very calm man, he didn’t press the button too early … a magnificent ride.”
Williams celebrated the win with the Dunaden entourage and won praise from Delzangles for his handling of the situation.
“We were very happy to have him with us last night,” Delzangles said.
“I guess he’s feeling a bit sad, but he’s a gentleman and I’m sure he was very happy for us.”
AAP TURF
