Chris Waller andĀ theĀ large team of owners of importĀ SoulcombeĀ hope to be back at Flemington in 12 months’ time for aĀ shot at the Melbourne Cup.
Soulcombe, a former member of the William Haggas team in the UK,Ā scored an impressiveĀ Australian debut taking out the Group 3 Queen’s Cup (2600m) on Saturday.
TAB has installed Soulcombe and White Marlin as $15 co-favourites for next year’s Melbourne Cup 2023.
With Craig Williams in the saddle and settling towards the back of the field,Ā Soulcombe, the $3Ā favourite, raced to a 2-Ā¼ length win fromĀ LunciesĀ ($5.50) with Captain Obvious ($17)Ā a neckĀ away third.
Waller has not ruled out givingĀ SoulcombeĀ another start this campaign but is wary of what it might mean for later preparations.
He said this spring would eat into the autumn which in turn would eat into next spring.
“It’s all about seeing how he recovers today,” Waller said.
“Most importantly he knows how to win at Flemington.”
“It was a great experience (for the horse) and that’s what it’s all about with horses especially, when you’re coming from a different hemisphere.
“It is a different style of racing, but there’s no better place than Flemington, the bigger tracks, and that will give the horse a lot of confidence.”
SoulcombeĀ had been trained for Saturday’s race from the quarantine centre at Werribee and Waller did notĀ change the training patternĀ of the gelding.
He also instructed Williams to keep it simple.
“We didn’t change anything from his UK form,” Waller said.
“Rode him as he would have been riddenĀ himĀ back there and it was good to see him traveling nicely.
“Good to see him coming into the race at the top of the straightĀ and he really was explosive (over) the last 200 metres.”
A three-year-old in European terms, Williams has no doubtĀ SoulcombeĀ will develop into a high-class stayer once he learnsĀ to adapt to a different style of racing in Australia.
“He’s so raw and untapped,” Williams said.
“Credit to Chris Waller and his team of owners. They’ll develop a tough seasoned horse for next year.”
