Japanese import set to go bush
RACING: Leading Cups contender Admire Deus is about to go bush.
Darren Weir will send the Japanese import to Warrnambool after a familiarisation gallop at Caulfield tomorrow.
The TAB $11 second favourite for the Melbourne Cup and a $10 chance for next week’s Caulfield Cup, Admire Deus completes his quarantine period tomorrow.
Once at Warrnambool, Admire Deus will follow a similar program to Weir’s 2015 Melbourne Cup winner Prince Of Penzance.
Craig Williams, who is booked to ride the chestnut in both Cups, said the Weir stable would continue to experiment with head gear for the seven-year-old.
“If we use Formula One terminology he’s got a great motor and they’re just tinkering with a couple of things,” Williams said.
“He’s lived his whole life with ear muffs on and now (travelling foreman) Matt (Scown) has a good understanding of the horse and he’s playing around with ear muffs on, ear muffs off and the thickness of ear muffs. I’m confident they’ve got the right tools and the right machine and it’s just tinkering with getting what will work on race day.”
Admire Deus impressed track watchers last week with a gallop clocked to match Adelaide’s sizzling work before he won the 2014 Cox Plate.
Irish trainer William Mullins has booked Joao Moreira to Royal Ascot winner Thomas Hobson in the Melbourne Cup. Mullins has also secured Moreira for veteran Wicklow Brave in the Caulfield Cup.
Thomas Hobson and 2015 Melbourne Cup runner-up Max Dynamite arrive from the UK tomorrow with Nakeeta, Rekindling and US Army Ranger. Hugh Bowman remains undecided on a Melbourne Cup ride, refuting claims he had committed to Marmelo, which he will partner in the Caulfield Cup.