Flare game as Dee zeroes in on Cup dream
CAULFIELD Cup-winning jockey Michael Dee never considered backing out of a commitment to ride in-form staying mare Lunar Flare in Tuesday’s Melbourne Cup, believing the mare has a similar profile to Durston.
Dee rode Durston to victory in the Caulfield Cup two weeks ago, but had to relinquish the ride for Flemington as he had already locked in a ride on Bart Cummings winner Lunar Flare.
A sense of loyalty to Lunar Flare’s trainer Grahame Begg and a belief that the daughter of 2013 Melbourne Cup winner Fiorente can provide him with another career highlight means Dee is looking excitedly to Tuesday.
“I was booked (for Lunar Flare) well before the Caulfield Cup, so I never really gave too much thought of jumping off,” Dee said.
“Grahame Begg has been very loyal to me throughout and, anyway, I’ve been very happy with how she is going. The rides like Durston and Lunar Flare are pretty similar.
“It’s an open (Cup) year. I feel she (Lunar Flare) is at her peak. She is probably going the best she has in her career. She is showing that at track work and what she has done this preparation. The 3200m is the question mark, but I am confident she will run the trip.”
Damien Oliver will instead ride Durston, chasing a recordequalling fourth Melbourne Cup on Tuesday.
Dee was sidelined by suspension last week, but watched “from afar” as Lunar Flare turned in a slashing Cup trial when second to Francesco Guardi in the Moonee Valley Gold Cup.
“I was very pleased with her run,” he said.
“Obviously, I wasn’t aboard her last Saturday, but I was certainly watching from afar and very pleased to see her hit the line like she did. It leaves me full of confidence.”
Dee has had three previous rides in the Melbourne Cup, with his best result being fifth on Persan two years ago, beaten just over two lengths.
“It would mean everything (to win a Melbourne Cup),” he said.
“It is probably every jockey’s dream.
“If I was to win and get that result, that would be amazing.”