Raiders set sights on Hobart Cup

FROM NEAR AND FAR, THEY ARE COMING FOR THE CUP

THE 18 nominations for Sunday’s Group 3 Hobart Cup, includes four imported European stayers — two of which are prepared interstate.

Ciaron Maher and David Eustace plan to bring English-bred Bartholomeu Dias for the race on the strength of the gelding’s recent good form over 2400m and beyond, while French galloper Barade, from the Archie Alexander stable, brings winning Flemington and Eagle Farm form to the table.

The Tony and Calvin McEvoy stable has nominated Classic Weiwei, which won impressively at Caulfield recently over 2380m.

The former Chris Waller-trained English-bred gelding Captain Cook, now in the care of Tasmanian Hall of Fame trainer Charlie Goggin and his daughter Luella Meaburn, has been nominated, along with Tasmanianowned stayer Double You Tee, which is prepared in Victoria by Patrick Payne.

Double You Tee was formerly in the care of John Blacker, who trained the gelded son of Written Tycoon until the end of his threeyear-old campaign.

The balance of the nominations includes the first six placegetters in last week’s weight-for-age Summer Cup.

Nominations have been extended until 9am Tuesday but the race is unlikely to attract any more attention from interstate trainers.

Goggin is excited about the prospects of Captain Cook.

The gelding has had two starts for the stable and, although he finished down the track in the weight-for-age Tasmanian Stakes (1600m) and the Summer Cup (2200m), Goggin is

quietly confident the gelding can make an impact in the Cup on Sunday.

“The horse was bought specifically for the major cups and I could not be happier with his progress heading towards Sunday’s race,” Goggin said after an impressive track gallop on Sunday morning.

“He wasn’t suited by the way the Summer Cup was run and if he can be in the first half-dozen on Sunday, they should know he is about at the business end.”

Champion Tasmanian mare Mystic Journey has been nominated to contest the weight-for-age Thomas Lyons Stakes (1400m) on Sunday and while there are no interstate horses in the $100,000 Listed event, it includes Devonport Cup winner Newhart and Blaze Forth, which defeated Mystic Journey over 1200m in Launceston last start.

Another feature on Hobart Cup day is the $150,000 Group 3 Bow Mistress (1200m) for fillies and mares, which has four interstate nominations, including Des Moines from the Michael Moroney stable.

The other expected interstate invaders are the Kevin Corstenstrained Street Icon, Ethical Solution from the Lloyd Kennewell stable and the Leon and Troy Corstens-trained Hot in Paris.