Frost’s upbeat despite barrier
TIBERIAN’S part-owner Shaun Frost thought the racing gods were against him when his Melbourne Cup runner drew barrier 23 for the big event tomorrow.
But one look at the results from the $4 million Breeders Cup Turf in the US over the weekend and Frost’s own history with the alley at Flemington has the Gold Coast financial planner convinced Tiberian can win.
Talismanic – a horse Tiberian has beaten twice this year – won the Breeders Cup on Saturday night around the same time the six-year-old French horse was given alley 23 for the Melbourne Cup.
Talismanic also beat $9 Melbourne Cup chance Marmelo in a Group 2 over 2800m in France in July this year.
“Initially we were starting to wonder if the barrier gods were against us,” Frost said from Melbourne.
“The last six of seven horses (syndicator) Darren Dance has had in the Cup have drawn barrier 20-plus so I don’t know what is going on.
“Heartbreak City raced from 23 last year and nearly pulled it off.”
Heartbreak City got within centimetres of winning in 2016 when he was engaged in a thrilling duel with ultimate winner Almandin. Frost said he was confident in the plan French trainer Alain Couetil and jockey Olivier Peslier had come up with for Tiberian for tomorrow’s race.
“After a poor draw I think it’s going to be OK,” Frost said.
“I think we have a good plan and the jockey said he is feeling good under him so all systems are a go.”
Tiberian has been rated a $31 chance with UBET and Frost said the bookmakers had him significantly over his correct odds.
“The team is pretty confident we will end up in the top four and then it’s up to the jockey and the horse then,” Frost said.
Fellow Gold Coaster Richard Keeley is a part-owner of Single Gaze, who will start from alley 11 at Flemington and the real estate agent said it was an ideal position for the mare.
“We are happy with that,” Keeley said.