Impressive Winner Sparks Melbourne Cup Frenzy

Top trainer Aidan O’Brien had bookmakers in Australia running for cover after his Grosvenor Square recently romped home in the Group 3 Irish St Leger trial at The Curragh.

The three-year-old galloped his rivals into submission under jockey Ryan Moore, powering clear in the home straight for a hugely impressive 20-length victory.

O’Brien Suggests Doncaster Could Be Next on the Agenda

Grosvenor Square is the new favourite for the Melbourne Cup on horse racing apps in Australia, although O’Brien is yet to confirm he will be aimed at the race.

The son of Galileo previously second behind stablemate Tower Of London, who is also prominent in the betting for ‘the race that stops the nation’.

O’Brien indicated the English St Leger is the next likely target for Grosvenor Square, which could rule him out of a trip to Australia due to quarantine rules.

“He has serious stamina when he gets into a rhythm – he’s an exciting horse,” O’Brien said. “It’s hard to know what to do against this horse – do you follow him or don’t you?

“Ryan said he was far from finished and he galloped right through the line. It’s very hard not to go to Doncaster after that. He’s so uncomplicated, you go out there and let him go. He handles soft ground as well.”

Injury Scuppers Mark Twain’s Cup Hopes

While O’Brien is yet to make a final decision about Grosvenor Square’s participation in the Melbourne Cup, another well-backed runner has been ruled out of the big race.

Promising New Zealand stayer Mark Twain has sustained an injury and will be unable to return to action until next year at the earliest.

Joint trainers Roger James and Robert Wellwood were preparing the horse for the Melbourne Cup, but owners OTI Racing have confirmed he will not run.

“Extremely disappointed to report that Mark Twain has sustained a tendon injury at home with Kingsclere and will be withdrawn from the Australian spring racing carnival,” OTI Racing wrote in a statement on social media.

“He will be provided the best care during his rehab and we hope to have him back to his best in 2025.”

MacGillivray Maps Out Her Route to Flemington

Andrew Ramsden Stakes winner The Map will step up her Melbourne Cup preparations by running in the Listed Leon Macdonald Stakes at Morphettville on Saturday.

Trainer Oopy MacGillivray was in a bullish mood after the six-year-old completed her final track gallop on Tuesday ahead of her return to action.

MacGillivray, who trains in partnership with Dan Clarken, confirmed that apprentice jockey Maggie Collett will be aboard The Map this weekend.

“We were absolutely delighted with her – in our minds she has improved again,” MacGillivray said. 

“She had a good little jump out last week – we were very happy with that. On Tuesday she rolled up with a nice young horse we’ve got, and she was doing it easy – we’re looking forward to Saturday.”

If all goes well with The Map this weekend, she will be shipped to Caulfield Racecourse for her next outing. The Naturalism Stakes and the Herbert Power Stakes are potential targets, but MacGillivray says a tilt at the Caulfield Cup is definitely off the table.

The trainer is eyeing the Geelong Cup as the mare’s final run before the Melbourne Cup at Flemington Racecourse and the move could pay massive dividends.

Three horses have completed the Geelong Cup – Melbourne Cup double in the same year – Media Puzzle (2002), Americain (2010) and Dunaden (2011).

“The Geelong Cup is definitely still our thought at this moment – it depends on every run we have, where she sits fitness wise and where she looks to us,” MacGillivray added.

Just three mares have won the Melbourne Cup this century – Ethereal (2001), Makybe Diva (2003, 2004 & 2005) and Verry Elleegant (2021).