US Hall of Fame trainer Wesley Ward could finally realise a lifelong ambition of racing in Australia if stayer Navy Seal can secure a golden ticket into the Melbourne Cup by winning Thursday’s Group 2 Belmont Gold Cup (3200m) in New York.
Victory in the Belmont Gold Cup would provide Navy Seal with a ballot-free pathway into Australia’s most famous race, giving Ward the opportunity to chase success in a jurisdiction he has long admired.
“I’ve never been to Australia,” Ward told the New York Racing Association website.
“I ran a horse in Australia, Cannonball, and I wasn’t able to go because I had a horse beat half a thumbnail in the Florida Derby, and we were on the Derby trail.
“I’ve always wanted to go to Australia my whole life, but the Melbourne Cup is a long stretch. I’d have to talk to (racing manager) Alex Cole and the Hays (owners) and see what they’d want to do if we’re successful enough to win this race.”
Ward previously had a runner in Australia when Cannonball finished ninth in the Group 1 Lightning Stakes at Flemington in 2010 behind Nicconi. The horse was subsequently transferred to Gai Waterhouse but failed to win in Australia.
Navy Seal began his career in Ireland under Aidan O’Brien for Coolmore before joining Ward’s stable in the United States, where he has shown a strong aptitude for staying distances.
“He trains like he’ll run all day long,” Ward said.
“I don’t get many of these (stayers). I was lucky enough to win a mile-and-three-eighths race there last year with him and he just seems to want to run all day.
“We’ve been galloping him two miles. Usually, my gallops are a little over a mile but with this guy, he goes out there and gets a pretty good clip going for two miles.
“The funny thing about him is you can’t get him tired. He comes back feeling like a million bucks.”
Ward is best known internationally for his Royal Ascot exploits, becoming the first American trainer to win at the famous meeting when Strike The Tiger captured the Windsor Castle Stakes in 2009. He followed up the next day when Jealous Again landed the Group 2 Queen Mary Stakes.
The Belmont Gold Cup has become an increasingly important pathway to the Melbourne Cup. Last year’s winner Parchment Party accepted the invitation to Flemington but struggled to adapt from dirt racing and finished 20th in the Melbourne Cup.
Hall of Fame jockey John Velazquez, who partnered Parchment Party to victory and has won the Belmont Gold Cup four times, is booked to ride Corruption in this year’s edition.
For those following the road to the Melbourne Cup, check out the latest betting sites australia for racing markets and updates.
