Melbourne trip now a reality

WELLINGTON: New Zealandowned galloper Patrick Erin sits in 47th position in the order of entry for the Melbourne Cup, but regardless of whether he makes the final field, coowner Janice Smith will be at Flemington to mark a special occasion.

Smith planned the trip earlier this year to celebrate the 50th anniversary of her wedding to the late Patrick Erin Smith, who died in May.

‘‘At the beginning of the year we thought it would be a chance to celebrate, but we thought we would all go anyway and we will all be together,’’ Smith said, referring to her daughters, Lauren, Vicki and Jackie.

To have a runner in the cup was a pipe dream when the trip was planned, but now it is a possibility. Patrick Erin staked his claim for the race by winning the Metropolitan (2400m) on September 29.

The Smiths will be joined in Flemington by Patrick Erin’s other owners, twins Tony and Graeme Handisides.

‘‘We have raced horses together before. Tony and Graeme and Pat were at St Bede’s College together and they’ve been friends since then,’’ Smith said.

‘‘They had said several times, we need to call one Patrick Erin and this was the last colt or gelding from our mare Mega Babe so we thought if we’re going to do it we better do it now.’’

Mega Babe was bred by the Smiths who had raced her dam, Red Diamond. Mega Babe died in 2013, having left six winners from as many foals to race.

The Smith family still have Gallant Babe, a sister to Patrick Erin, and Erin’s Babe, a halfsister by Raise The Flag, at White Robe Lodge at North Taieri.

Patrick Erin began his race career with Brian and Shane Anderton as a 4yrold. He won 10 races for them but due to his high rating the decision was made to send him to Chris Waller in Australia.

Patrick Erin is expected to race at Moonee Valley today where he will jump from barrier 14 in the Moonee Valley Gold Cup (2500m).

However, the wide draw is a concern and Waller could reserve Patrick Erin for the Bendigo Cup (2400m) on Wednesday. — NZ Racing Desk