Mount Athos will again be aimed at the Melbourne Cup after returning with an easy victory in the Group Three Ormonde Stakes at Chester.
A luckless fifth in the 2012 Melbourne Cup, Mount Athos is the TAB’s third favourite in opening markets for this year’s race.
Jamie Spencer was positive from the outset on Mount Athos in Friday’s race and ran out a nine length winner over Mad Moose.
Owner Dr Marwan Koukash was contemplating a quick back-up at York but trainer Luca Cumani said that would not happen.
“Marwan gave me two objectives this year, this race and the Melbourne Cup, so now it’s all eyes on the Melbourne Cup,” Cumani said.
“He’s a very, very generous horse and puts a lot into what he does. He’s always very eager to please and although he looks like he’s doing it easily, he does put a lot of effort in.
“Last year he won his three races in England nicely spaced out and I think we’ll stick with the plan.
“He will probably have another two, or maybe three races, before the Melbourne Cup but we’re not going to abuse him at this stage.”
Koukash said the Ascot Gold Cup would be his summer objective in England.
“The Melbourne Cup is the ultimate aim. We may take him to Ascot for the Gold Cup,” he said.
“Speaking to the handicapper in Australia, they assure me for an Ascot Gold Cup winner it would be no more than 55kg so we may consider that.”
