“Extraordinary! He’s back!”
That’s how one punter summed it up as Bart Cummings’ last hope for a Melbourne Cup start, Precedence, powered home to win the Group Two Moonee Valley Gold Cup on Saturday.
The race was a “last chance saloon” for three other horses in the race – Tanby, Sneak A Peak and Shoreham – for a Cup entry, but it was Bart Cummings, in partnership with his grandson James, who prevailed.
Precedence winning the Moonee Valley Cup at Moonee Valley - photo by Race Horse Photos Australia
The legendary Cups king has won the Melbourne Cup 12 times and Precedence is his only chance this year for more glory, and the first with his grandson.
Before the win, Precedence was 44th in the order of entry for the Melbourne Cup with 52kg and his chances of running now depend on chief handicapper Greg Carpenter.
Carpenter will announce the weight penalty for Precedence on Monday.
With Craig Williams on board, Precedence ($7.50) ran a commanding race, happy to sit in the back half of the field of eight.
Williams made his move at the turn of the 2500m-long race, steering the eight-year-old gelding to the front, and moving away from the pack despite a charge from Shoreham ($5).
He won by 1 1/2 lengths with Gotta Take Care another 1 1/2 lengths away third.
Williams was in no doubt about Precedence lining up for what would be his fourth Melbourne Cup.
His best finish was an eighth in 2010.
“He’s a big chance, without a doubt,” Williams said.
“He’s got the Bart Cummings factor and it would be great for the 2013 Melbourne Cup if Bart Cummings and James Cummings had a run.”
James said his grandfather would make the trip from Sydney for the race if Precedence was given a penalty that would get him into the Cup.
“We’ll be more than happy to take them on,” James said.
“Precedence has got a zest for it and he’s got some unfinished business.
“He’s by Zabeel and it’s a great pedigree for horses that go better with age.
“But don’t forget that when Bart struck with Comic Court it was his third go at the Melbourne Cup.”
Carpenter said the cut-off for the Cup would be around 53kg to 53.5kg.
He said if Precedence was given a one kilo penalty he would still be vulnerable in the ballot and would need horses above him not to accept.
