“THE RACE THAT stops a nation” is all set for a fairytale ending. Fiorente, trained by the first lady of racing down under Gai Waterhouse, goes to post as favourite for the 153rd running of the Melbourne Cup.
But not for the first time, an Irishman has big plans to spoil the locals’ party.
Like Waterhouse, Willie Mullins has never won the sport’s richest handicap which boasts a total prize fund of over €4.3 million, €2.8 million of which is reserved for the winner.
A week ago Mullins’ contender Simenon wasn’t even guaranteed a place at the start line, still needing a handful of horses to withdraw before he was bumped into the 24-horse field.
That confirmation finally came last week but in the meantime preparations for the Flemington Park showpiece, which gets underway at around 4am Irish time on Tuesday, had continued uninterrupted. Last month Simenon was a strong third in his prep run, reinforcing his transformation from jumps horse to flat star in waiting.
Wary too of the six-year-old’s brilliant run at the Ascot Gold Cup this summer, where he was only beaten by a neck into second, the Australian media have taken notice.
The Australian deem him “a serious Cup contender” for Ireland’s third win in the race, following Dermot Weld’s double with Vintage Crop — unprecedented as the first overseas winner in the race’s history 20 years ago – and Media Puzzle in 2002.
“There is certainly no tougher horse in the Melbourne Cup field than Simenon,” Ray Thomas wrote in the Australian Telegraph, dubbing him the “best bolter” of the pack.
Among Europe’s eight other contenders Marco Botti’s Dandino poses a strong threat as does Verema, bidding to give 2010 winning trainer Alain de Royer Dupre another win for France.
The locals will be out in force for Fiorente but Mullins, as always, has other plans.
