Brothers enjoying Cup hype
The Dennis brothers are a long way from their Woodlands homes in Southland, but they were never going to miss the thrill of being on track for their own runner in Australia’s most famous race.
The 80-year-old twins Ray and Tony and their slightly younger brothers Joe and Martin will all be on hand to watch their homebred stayer The Chosen One take on an international lineup in today’s Group I Melbourne Cup (3200m) at Flemington.
‘‘Martin came over yesterday [Sunday] and the rest of us arrived last Friday,’’ Tony Dennis said. ‘‘It’s a big thing for us. He’s the first horse we’ve owned to run in the Melbourne Cup.
‘‘We’re all getting on in age so we’re lucky to be able to get here. It might never happen again so we weren’t going to miss it.
‘‘It’s a different experience being owners rather than just the breeders.
‘‘It’ll be special seeing our own colours out there against Aidan O’Brien and some of the best in the world in the Melbourne Cup. I got a thrill seeing our colours go around in the Caulfield Cup.’’
Prominent New Zealand owner-trainers and breeders, the Dennis brothers’ success dates back to Easter 1960 when they saddled up The Budget to win at Riverton. They followed the racing interest of their father, Harold, and their well-known breed, starting with the prefix ‘‘The,’’ and have enjoyed immense success.
In 2015 the Dennis brothers picked up the biggest New Zealand honour of all, the Outstanding Contribution to New Zealand
Racing award.
And through it all, they have watched members of their breed perform with distinction, notably The Jewel, an O’Reilly daughter of The Grin who raced in their ownership and was trained by Hec and the late Steve Anderton.
When it comes to the Melbourne Cup, the Dennis brothers’ memories immediately focus on
The Phantom, a son of Noble Bijou and The Fantasy they bred.
The Phantom started three times in the big one with his best results being a second to Kingston Rule in 1990 after finishing fourth to Tawriffic a year earlier.
The Phantom was trained for a good part of his career, including his Melbourne Cup second, by Murray Baker so it is fitting that Baker, now in partnership with Andrew Forsman, should be giving the Dennis brothers their first runner in the famous race.
‘‘I’ve got over to see most of his races,’’ Dennis said. ‘‘I was there for the Australian Derby [Group I, 2400m] in Sydney and here [Melbourne] when he won the Herbert Power [Group II, 2400m]. I missed the Frank Packer Plate win [Group III, 2000m], but some of the others were there for it. There is always at least one of us at the races when he runs.’’
Since his Herbert Power win, The Chosen One has finished ninth in the Group I Caulfield Cup (2400m) and fifth in Saturday’s Group III Hotham Handicap (2500m) at Flemington.
‘‘I was originally a bit disappointed in his run last Saturday, but the fact he ran on was good,’’ Dennis said. ‘‘He just pulled too hard with the blinkers on. The blinkers are off for the Cup so I hope he settles better.’’ NZ Racing Desk
CUP SWEEP