Melbourne Cup campaigns will go on the line for possibly eight horses who have accepted for the premier staying race during Glorious Goodwood.
Racing Victoria’s international scout Leigh Jordon says the Group Two Goodwood Cup on Thursday night (AEST) once more shapes as a pivotal race for United Kingdom stayers trying to earn a trip to Australia.
“The Goodwood Cup has always been a fantastic race when it comes to the Melbourne Cup,” Jordon said.
“Looking at this year’s field, there are a lot of horses there who are definite prospects (for the Melbourne Cup).”
Goodwood Cup winners or placegetters who have raced with distinction in the Melbourne Cup include iron stayers Persian Punch and Jardines Lookout.
Jordon has returned from an overseas reconnaissance mission confident the Goodwood Cup result will unearth at least two genuine Melbourne Cup contenders.
“I spoke to the trainers of Red Cadeaux and Harris Tweed and they are both very interested in the Melbourne Cup,” Jordan said.
Manighar, seventh in last year’s Melbourne Cup, is also a Goodwood Cup acceptor and is one of four horses trainer Luca Cumani is considering for an Australian trip.
Godolphin runners Lost In The Moment and Opinion Poll have also been mentioned in dispatches for a spring campaign.
Chiberta King, Electrolyser and Mount Athos are also in the reckoning.
Red Cadeaux has won three of his 14 starts for trainer Ed Dunlop.
Described as a middle distance horse with a turn of foot, Red Cadeaux goes into the Goodwood feature after winning the Curragh Cup, a race Vintage Crop won in 1993 before his history-making Melbourne Cup win.
Harris Tweed, placed in the Hardwicke Stakes during Royal Ascot, has posted four wins in nine starts.
There will be added Australian interest in the Goodwood Cup with leading Sydney jockey Hugh Bowman booked to ride the Mick Channon-trained Montaff.
Bowman was in the saddle when the Montjeu galloper finished second in the Northumberland Plate last month.
AAP TURF
