Road to Cup opens up for Charles
A sparkling work-out at Flemington yesterday morning has confirmed Kiwi galloper Sir Charles Road is ready to tackle his greatest challenge at Flemington on Tuesday.
The Lance O’Sullivan and Andrew Scott trained five-year-old had his place confirmed in Tuesday’s A$7m group one Melbourne Cup (3200m) late on Saturday afternoon as owner David Archer agonised as to whether he would get the opportunity to have his second runner in Australasia’s great race.
Talented stayer Gallions Reach finished midfield for Archer in the 2009 Cup won by Shocking, with the Auckland businessman noting the build-up and atmosphere around this year’s running of the race that stops a nation as markedly different to the one he experienced nine years ago.
“I’m not sure what it is but coming back here this time has been very different to what it seemed back then,” he said.
“I think it probably has something to do with the influx of European horses as everything seems bigger and far more intense. One thing that you really notice is the large number of people who congratulate you just on making the field, let alone actually doing well in the race itself.
“It was quite surreal as we waited to see if we had made it as there wasn’t really that much information available and they don’t confirm things until very late on Saturday afternoon.
“We thought we were safe but until you see your name on the board where the barrier draw takes place you don’t really know.”
Sir Charles Road had been number 23 on the order of entry for a place in the 24-horse Cup field before Saturday’s Victoria Derby Day meeting, with his place confirmed once the Darren Weir trained Tosen Basil was formally withdrawn.
Archer’s major responsibility on Saturday evening was to ensure Sir Charles Road fared well in the barrier draw and after securing gate number 14 he is well pleased.
“We are happy with what we got as the big fear was that he would draw down on the rail where the pressure is the greatest in the early battle for positions. I’m sure he will do us all proud on Tuesday.”