FRENCH STAR IN CUP RAID
CONNECTIONS of French stayer Tac De Boistron will turn their backs on $2.5 million prizemoney after electing to run in the Geelong Cup rather than the Caulfield Cup.
The Mick Kent-trained six-yearold was put through his paces on Geelong’s main track on Saturday and lapped up the soft conditions.
Tac De Boistron worked over 1600m and quickened in the final 400m with a partner. Kent said he was happy with the gallop and confirmed the gelding would line up in October 24’s Group 3 Geelong Cup.
‘‘It is a beautiful track and he (Geelong’s track manager Matt Mayor) will put some water on it before the Cup. For these staying horses, the one thing you don’t want is for them to be stiff,’’ Kent said.
‘‘You want them to pull up really good. Obviously the record from the Geelong Cup is related to how well the track is presented.’’
Tac De Boistron is equal 13th in order of entry for the $2.5 million Caulfield Cup and would have been certain to gain a run, but Kent said the likely Dead4 track rating for the $300,000 Geelong Cup was a key factor in choosing it.
Saturday was the first time the gelding was allowed out of Werribee’s training centre, and Kent said his star needed the gallop.
‘‘Werribee is very tight and turning, and it has taken him a while to settle in. But the float trip down here will do him good. He had a good blow . . . I will probably do another good gallop with him on Saturday.’’
Tac De Boistron is guaranteed entry into the Melbourne Cup, but a weight penalty after a strong Geelong Cup effort would help Kent choose his Melbourne Cup jockey.
Frenchman Christophe Soumillon is keen, but he is unlikely to make Tac De Boistron’s present Melbourne Cup weight of 53.5kg.
‘‘Soumillon is tentatively booked and he is pretty keen to take the ride (in the Melbourne Cup), the horse has performed well for him and we are happy to follow that,’’ Kent said.
‘‘A penalty would be great. I could then confirm I could put him on but something at the back of my mind tells me that I need to address it with him and make sure he can make that weight.’’