Rose’s dream run not over yet

THERE were beers, tears and cheers for the connections of Tralee Rose as a group of Geelong mates dream of taking home next month’s Melbourne Cup.

Tralee Rose saluted in the Geelong Cup on Wednesday with a big-hearted effort in the finish to clinch the 2400m race over runner-up Dr Drill.

She was supported by a vocal band of Geelong owners, who cheered on from the Cremorne Hotel.

Part-owner Jonathan Parish said he was pinching himself at the prospect of having a runner in the Melbourne Cup.

“We’re all Geelong people and we’ve been going to the races for years and years,” Parish said.

“Supporting the Geelong Cup and watching plenty of races, always dreamt, so many of us, to not just have a runner on Geelong Cup Day, but to have a runner in the Geelong Cup.

“The dream’s come true today, hasn’t it? She’s consolidated herself a run in the Melbourne Cup in a couple of weeks.”

He said he had “no doubt” Tralee Rose, rated a $15 chance for the Melbourne Cup, could win the race that stops the nation.

“She’s going to be a lightweight chance,” he said.

“I really think she’s a topfive chance.”

Parish has been a long-time racing enthusiast but Tralee Rose is his first Group-level runner.

He said excitement reached “fever pitch” when the bay mare hit the line strong.

“I think her run was just gutsy,” he said.

“It was a perfect ride from Dean (Holland). He got in a great spot, she had all the chances.

“She almost looked like, 200m out, she was being challenged.

“Dr Drill might have got a nose in front at one stage and it’s like she said, ‘Nah, this is it’, and she just found another gear and pulled away at the end.

“The big thing was she just kept travelling through the line so well and just kept going.

“She’s eager for more ground – 2400m is not the ideal distance for her.

“Over more ground, I think she’ll get stronger and stronger.

“It was a super impressive win. All the connections are so happy.”

Celebrations went on into the night but they will hope to back it up in a fortnight when Tralee Rose takes on the world’s best stayers in one of the most coveted races in the world.

“We would have loved to have been standing on the lawn there cheering Tralee Rose home that last 100m but unfortunately we couldn’t be there today,” Parish said.

“To be here and have the colours of her silks and the balloons, the atmosphere we created ... had a great lunch here and drinks, we’ve made the most of what we can.”