Appleby chases two more Group 1s
MELBOURNE Cup-winning trainer Charlie Appleby has some unfinished business before returning home to the United Kingdom.
Appleby won Tuesday’s Cup with Cross Counter, supplying Sheik Mohammed’s Godolphin racing operation with their first victory.
Another two potential Group 1 races are on offer for Appleby and Godolphin at Flemington on Saturday.
Appleby was the first of the international raiders to arrive in Melbourne for the carnival and claimed the Sir Rupert Clarke Stakes at Caulfield with Jungle Cat on September 22.
A week later he finished a narrow second in the Caulfield Stakes with Blair House, who was beaten by fellow Godolphin galloper Benbatl.
Jungle Cat and Blair House run at Flemington tomorrow; Jungle Cat in the VRC Sprint Classic and Blair House the Mackinnon Stakes.
Ladbrokes have Blair House listed as $2.25 favourite for the Mackinnon Stakes.
“He’s backing up after running a very creditable second behind Benbatl who went on and franked that form finishing second to Winx,” Appleby said. “And I purposely missed the Cox Plate for that reason.”
Appleby said Blair House looked in great order.
“I think they’ve got him to beat,” he said.