Australian Bloodstock buy German stayer to chase another Melbourne Cup

Australian Bloodstock has strengthened its formidable Spring Carnival lineup with the acquisition of promising German stayer Augustus.

The five-year-old entire was recently listed among Ciaron Maher’s 25 nominations for the upcoming Caulfield Cup, and plans are also in motion to nominate him for the prestigious Melbourne Cup, according to Australian Bloodstock director Jamie Lovett.

“He’s an exciting horse to have in the stable,” Lovett said. “He’s lightly raced but already proven at a high level. We’re still weighing up whether to target the Melbourne Cup directly or give him a lead-up run, but we believe he’s made for two miles.”

Australian Bloodstock is no stranger to success in Australia’s greatest staying race, having won the Melbourne Cup twice — first with Protectionist in 2014 and again with Gold Trip in 2022. Interestingly, Augustus has competed in some of the same European form lines as Protectionist.

Lovett revealed Augustus had been on their radar for over a year. “We were very interested in him after his third in the German Derby last year, but his connections weren’t keen to sell at the time. Since then, he’s continued to improve and really stamped himself as a top horse.”

“He gives us the impression he’ll get two miles comfortably. He’s not the finished product yet, but there’s plenty of upside. Ciaron will enjoy the challenge of preparing him for the big Cups. And being just a Group 2 winner, he’s likely to get in well at the weights.”

The team has not yet finalised whether Augustus will arrive in the first or second shipment of international horses this spring. A spot on the first flight would allow him to contest the Caulfield Cup, while the second shipment would likely see him go straight into the Melbourne Cup.

“If he’s ready, we’ll definitely aim him at the spring, but even if not, we’re confident he’ll be a major staying force down the line,” Lovett added.

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