Numerian up to the challenge
NEASHAM TIPPING IMPORT TO SHINE
ANNABEL Neasham believes her import Numerian shouldn’t be discounted in Tuesday’s Melbourne Cup, particularly if the heavens continue to open.
Numerian was a solid fifth in the Caulfield Cup, beaten just over a length, and has never finished further back than that in his past six runs.
While most form assessors have questioned whether that form is good enough to win a Melbourne Cup, Neasham says the $61 chance can be competitive if the conditions suit.
“He is as honest as the day is long,” Neasham said of Numerian, a son of Holy Roman Emperor who won the Gosford Cup (2080m) and the Q22 at Eagle Farm earlier this year.
“The two miles is the only query, but to be honest, it is the query with a lot of these horses.
“All I know is that he wears his heart on his sleeve and he is a very tough horse.
“He hasn’t run a bad race since he has been in the country, so I don’t see why he would run a bad race on Tuesday.
“I think he would like a slightly economical run. The barrier (seven) should enable that.”
Only two female trainers have officially trained the winner of a Melbourne Cup – Sheila Laxon and Gai Waterhouse.
But A.W. ‘Granny’ McDonald won the race with Catalogue in 1938, even though the VRC credited her husband as the trainer because at the time they did not permit female trainers.
The Argus newspaper called Catalogue’s win “a victory for women”.
Neasham has made a massive impression on Australian training ranks since a working holiday from her native England turned into a thriving training business halfway around the world that has already won six Group 1s in the space of two years.
“It would be everything (to win a Cup),” she said. “This is what you work towards, to have horses in races like this. They are extremely hard to win, but we will be trying our hardest.”