Cup winner’s unfinished business
ful path,” Zahra said.
“It wasn’t ideal but in the end it didn’t hurt and it might have been a blessing.”
Lane described the win as his biggest thrill in racing having been associated with Ellerton and Zahra since arriving from Perth.
“When I moved to Melbourne I lived in Matty’s home for the first six or seven months,” he said.
“He’s always treated me like a family member. He always took care of me and I will always appreciate that.” MELBOURNE Cup- winning trainer Charlie Appleby has some unfinished business before returning home to the United Kingdom.
Appleby won Tuesday’s Cup with Cross Counter, supplying sheik Mohammed’s Godolphin racing operation with its first victory.
Another two potential Group 1 races are on offer for Appleby and Godolphin at Flemington on Saturday.
Appleby was the first of the international raiders to arrive in Melbourne for the carnival and claimed the Sir Rupert Clarke Stakes at Caulfield with Jungle Cat.
A week later he finished a narrow second in the Caulfield Stakes with Blair House, beaten by fellow Godolphin galloper Benbatl.
Jungle Cat and Blair House run at Flemington on Saturday, Jungle Cat in the VRC Sprint Classic and Blair House the Mackinnon Stakes.
Blair House is listed as favourite in the Mackinnon Stakes.
“He’s backing up after running a very credible second behind Benbatl who went on and franked that form finishing second to Winx,” Appleby said.
“I couldn’t turn it around on Benbatl and I definitely wasn’t going to get past Winx, so we’ve skipped the Cox Plate to go into the Mackinnon with fresh legs.”
Appleby said Blair House was moving nicely ahead of Saturday’s race, with the trainer unconcerned by what ground will be on offer.
“He looks in great order and if he turns up in the form he was in the Caulfield Stakes I think they’ve got him to beat,” Appleby said.
“He’s a versatile horse. He’s won on cut in the ground, he’s won on quick ground.”
UK-based jockey William Buick has been entrusted with the rides on both Blair House and Jungle Cat.
Appleby said Buick’s familiarity with both horses made him the logical choice.
“I’m in a very lucky position with William and James (Doyle) as they ride these horses in the UK and know these horses inside and out.
“We’ve got some of the best jockeys in the world riding at the moment.”