Big plans...In the wake of his barnstorming Makybe Diva win, superstar stayer Shocking may be aimed at the Cox Plate before he attempts back-to-back Melbourne Cup wins. Latest reports say the 5YO has firmed into $8 Cup favoritism with some bookies. And he's plunged from $41 to $16 for the Cox Plate after a victory that took his trainer Mark Kavanagh by surprise. He says: 'He's a different horse from last year...'He's much sharper than last year, although he's nowhere near cranked up...He's more
Big plans...In the wake of his barnstorming Makybe Diva win, superstar stayer Shocking may be aimed at the Cox Plate before he attempts back-to-back Melbourne Cup wins. Latest reports say the 5YO has firmed into $8 Cup favoritism with some bookies. And he's plunged from $41 to $16 for the Cox Plate after a victory that took his trainer Mark Kavanagh by surprise. He says: 'He's a different horse from last year...'He's much sharper than last year, although he's nowhere near cranked up...He's more athletic and just seems to improve with each run.'
Godolphin is still considering the Melbourne Cup for Holberg despite his defeat in a Grp 3 race at Kempton at the weekend. He ran 3.5 lens behind Laaheb over 2400m. Godolphin racing manager Simon Crisford says Holberg is likely to have another run before a final decision is made about a trip to Australia. The UK Racing Post's comments on Holberg's run said: 'Tracked leaders, pushed along over 3f out, progress over 2f out, driven into 2nd 1f out, no chance with winner (op 9-4 tchd 5-2).'
Luca Cumani's Linamix 4YO Manighar is gaining support for a Melbourne Cup bid. He pleased the stable with his 2nd to Americain at Deauville (France) over 3000m. The UK Racing Post said: 'In rear from start, ridden early in straight, short of room 1 1/2f out, switched towards outside, came between horses 1f out, finished strongly (op 5-1)'. In latest betting, Manighar is quoted at 25/1 for the Melbourne Cup.