Victorian feature racing heads provincial today with the Geelong Cup, but will we see our future Melbourne Cup winner contesting the tracks today? Historically, just three horses have completed the Geelong Cup-Melbourne Cup double in the same year: Media Puzzle (2002), Americain (2010), and most recently Dunaden (2011).
One could argue that King Ciaron deals a strong hand in the lead-up to Melbourne Cup honours. With Herman Hesse chasing a winning hat-trick, having taken out the Listed R M Ansett Classic (2400m) at Mornington before winning the Group 2 Herbert Power Stakes (2400m) at Caulfield on October 12.
Interpretation joins Maher’s lineup and is looking to register his first win in 12 months having not won since the Group 3 Bendigo Cup (2400m) last November, which secured a start for the stayer in last year’s edition of the Cuo at Flemington in which he finished sixth behind Without A Fight. Interpretation’s whole campaign has been geared around the Melbourne Cup this year, and currently, the stayer is number 27 in the Order of Entry, but Maher is confident the stayer will gain a start in the Cup on November 7.
Team Waller’s presence could be questionable, with Francesco Guardi and Manzoice potentially missing the Geelong Cup, having also been accepted for the Group 2 Moonee Valley Cup (2500m) on Friday night.
South Australian hero The Map reunites with Jamie Kah in her final lead-up run to the Cup, earned her Melbourne Cup ballot exemption with a victory in the Andrew Ramsden Stakes, and will stay in Victoria after the Geelong Cup to meet vet protocols and undergo CT scans. She is currently listed at $34 in betting sites Melbourne Cup odds.
