MARMELO BIG CHANCE IN CUP
Hugh Bowman has quickly shifted focus from the heights of Winx’s Cox Plate triumph to declare Marmelo a “realistic chance” of delivering a childhood dream in Tuesday’s Melbourne Cup.
Upbeat yesterday after last year’s joint Cup favourite completed a resounding 1600m gallop at Werribee against fellow raider Magic Circle, Bowman believes Marmelo is right in the mix.
“He’s a bit stronger this year, there’s no doubt about that,” Bowman said.
“More mature this year … the horse appears to have travelled over well.
“All of the signs are good but I guess the reality is that we’re not going to know until after the race.
“Obviously, it would be a childhood dream to win the Melbourne Cup. I feel I’m going in with a horse that’s a realistic chance of doing that.
“However, it’s a very difficult race to win and there’s a lot of scenarios that could eventuate and there’s many chances this year.
“It’s a very open race and it’s very difficult to identity who’s going to win and I can’t see that changing before post time.”
Marmelo finished ninth in last season’s Cup after an eye-catching Caulfield Cup sixth.
Trainer Hughie Morrison has chosen to tackle the Melbourne Cup this season without a lead-up run.
“I know that Hughie is pretty happy with him,” Bowman said.
“It’s well documented that Hughie wasn’t so keen on running last year in the Caulfield Cup.
“But the decision was made to run him and he ran very well, which gave us all a lot of confidence – including the public because he started favourite going into the Caulfield Cup.
“Obviously he didn’t run as well in the Melbourne Cup as he did in the Caulfield Cup.
“I guess, for me, I take comfort from knowing he’s run well here before and he’s travelled well. I know he’s capable of performing fresh off the plane.
“He feels good to me and that’s all I can go off.”
Marmelo went to the line locked with Magic Circle at Werribee but there was little doubt he had plenty in reserve.
“I was very pleased with how he felt,” Bowman said.
“I felt he had a nice bit in hand. He’s going well, ticking over nicely.”