Gallopin Sets Up Melbourne Cup Start
Story By Alex Steedman
Saturday, 25 October 2008:  | | Gallopin |
Gallopin prior to today's success was only a fringe chance at getting a start in the Melbourne Cup as he sat 41st in the Order of Entry for the race.
He won today over another seven horses who required a win to confirm themselves a start at Flemington on November 4.
On jumping, Gallopin was able to sit comfortably in sixth as the leaders set a quick pace.
James Winks began to make a move aboard the Pins gelding at the turn and proceeded to chase down joint favourite Baughurst travelling into the straight.
The pair kicked to a clear lead over the competition 150m from home, but it was Gallopin who managed to ware down his rival in the final strides to win the Moonee Valley Cup by a head.
Melbourne Cup bound Ice Chariot was a further 2.5 lengths back in third.
In one of Gallopin's last opportunities to gain entry into the Melbourne Cup, Danny O'Brien revealed he was confident leading into the race following the five-year-olds solid lead-up performances in the Naturalism Stakes (5th) and The Metropolitan (4th).
“I don't think I've ever been as confident going into a big race as we were today.” O'Brien said.
“The horse has had a good preparation, probably on a dry track he wins the Metrop, his work since he has been back has been sensational and I'm not at all surprised that he has won today.”
“I've got a really good opinion of this horse as a stayer, when he gets out to these distances he is a very horse.”
An attempt at the Melbourne Cup has long been on the agenda for Gallopin who was transferred from New Zealand to be under the care of O'Brien as a three-year-old.
“Hopefully he gets a kilo penalty which will guarantee him a start and that's been his aim all along,” O'Brien said.
“Obviously we are probably stepping into the strongest Melbourne Cup I've seen but he's had the right prep for it, we've had him aimed at it for a year and he'll give a good account.”
|
