A strong group of stayers is expected for Saturday’s MRC Foundation Cup (2000m), with the winner guaranteed a start in next month’s Caulfield Cup.
Ciaron Maher holds a dominant hand, nominating Smokin’ Romans, Okita Soushi, Kings Valley, Berkshire Breeze, Future History and Herman Hesse. Future History will be partnered by Mark Zahra, while Ben Melham takes the ride on Smokin’ Romans.
Chris Waller has entered River Of Stars, Asterix and Birdman, the latter one of the leading Caulfield Cup fancies. Half Yours also looms large for Tony and Calvin McEvoy, with Harry Coffey booked to ride.
Other notable entries include Adelaide River for Kris Lees, Berkeley Square for Dan O’Sullivan, Brayden Star for the Busuttin and Young stable, and Torranzino for Paul Preusker.
The $200,000 Group 3 sits alongside the Newcastle Cup and Kingston Town Stakes on a busy weekend for Melbourne Cup hopefuls, with several horses nominated across multiple races.
Likely Field for the MRC Foundation Cup
| No. | Horse | Trainer | Jockey |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Smokin Romans | C Maher | B Melham |
| 2 | Okita Soushi | C Maher | |
| 3 | Kings Valley | C Maher | |
| 4 | Berkshire Breeze | C Maher | |
| 5 | Future History | C Maher | M Zahra |
| 6 | Herman Hesse | C Maher | |
| 7 | Adelaide River | K Lees | |
| 8 | Berkeley Square | D O’Sullivan | D Bates |
| 9 | Brayden Star | T Busuttin & N Young | |
| 10 | Thedoctoroflove | T Busuttin & N Young | |
| 11 | Half Yours | T & C McEvoy | H Coffey |
| 12 | Torranzino | P Preusker | |
| 13 | River Of Stars | C Waller | C Williams |
| 14 | Asterix | C Waller | J Childs |
| 15 | Birdman | C Waller | |
| 16 | Statuario | D & E Browne |
