The South Australian family training team of Gary and Nichole Searle and daughter Brianna Callanan have their sights set on a Melbourne Cup start with Sir Kingsford.
A trip to Flemington for the Listed Andrew Ramsden (3200m) on Saturday secures the winner a Melbourne Cup ballot exemption into November’s showpiece.
Nichole Searle got a taste of what success looks like in the Andrew Ramsden when Sir Kingsford ran at Flemington the day The Map took out the Melbourne Cup qualifier in 2024.
Searle travelled with The Map’s co-trainer Oopy MacGillivray and while not on course to see that mare win, she was a part of the post-race celebrations.
“Sir Kingsford ran earlier in the day, so I travelled over with Oopy and I know a few of the owners that live out Mallala way,” Searle said.
“There was this hype around her, and everyone was so excited, that she was going there, and then when she won, the hype in South Australia was just fantastic.
“I wasn’t there when the horse won, but when Oopy got back, we were out at Ballarat, we had a pretty good night of celebrations.”
The Map’s victory sparked the Sir Kingsford team into trying to replicate the win.
Sir Kingsford won the Port Adelaide Cup last year, but the team elected to spell the stayer after a long campaign.
This year Sir Kingsford will be having his sixth run of the preparation.
“We all want to try and emulate something like that, getting to a nice big race,” Searle said.
“Sir Kingsford is probably the sort of horse that can take that step, take us to a nice race.
“Hopefully, the Andrew Ramsden is that on Saturday.”
Sir Kingsford chased home fellow Andrew Ramsden contestant Alainge in the Port Adelaide Cup at Morphettville on May 2.
Searle said Sir Kingsford had done well since the outing and had a gallop during the week with Teegan Voorham, who rides the stayer on Saturday, aboard.
“He’s had a few trips across now, so the travel shouldn’t bother him,” Searle said.
“He always eats pretty well, so fingers crossed all goes well with him.
“We thought we’d have a throw at the stumps and see where we land.”
