Jockey Kieren Fallon believes Mount Athos would be a live chance in the Melbourne Cup while Scottish trainer Jim Goldie is eyeing a start for Icon Dream.
Owner Dr Marwan Koukash expressed his desire to send the Luca Cumani-trained Mount Athos to Australia after his impressive win at York on Saturday.
Cumani has become a regular visitor to Australia and came agonisingly close to winning the 2008 Cup with Bauer who was denied by the Bart Cummings-trained Viewed.
“I’ve always liked him since I rode him in the spring but I hadn’t ridden him on the course. When I rode him at home I thought he could have been a Gold Cup horse,” Fallon told Racing UK.
“He’d had a live shout in the Ebor but the Melbourne Cup is a race everybody wants to win as it’s worth a lot of money.
“He’d definitely have a live chance as he’s got early speed, which you need to get a good position in the Melbourne Cup. He stays well, he’s got a turn of foot and he’ll go on any ground as long as it’s not too soft.”
The Ebor is the target for Icon Dream following his close third in the Northumberland Plate.
The Glasgow trainer is hoping the prestigious staying handicap at York on August 25 will lead to even greater things for the Sadler’s Wells gelding.
“If you win the Ebor, you get an invitation to the Melbourne Cup provided you get rated high enough,” Goldie said.
“We’re just keeping him to selected races with him fresh and well and hopefully we’ll get a pay day.
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