Grahame Begg can plot a Melbourne Cup redemption plan after Lunar Flare snared a golden ticket into the great race with a five-length demolition in the Listed Andrew Ramsden Stakes (2800m).
Begg was gut-wrenchingly denied a first Melbourne Cup runner last year with Lunar Flare scratched on race morning due to lameness in the off fore leg.
With the disappointment in the past, Begg targeted the Andrew Ramsden this year to qualify the tenacious daughter of Cup winner Fiorente for the 2023 edition.
“We put that behind us. Worry about today, it’s all about today, we forget about that because I might say something I might regret,” an emotional Begg said.
“She’s just getting better as she’s getting older, absolutely outstanding.”
LUNAR FLARE IS INTO THE MELBOURNE CUP! ????
WHAT A WIN IN THE ANDREW RAMSDEN. ????@Grahame_Beggpic.twitter.com/cyqHcPfgw4
— 7HorseRacing ???? (@7horseracing) May 13, 2023
White Marlin, relegated from $11 equal favourite to $15 with TAB in the pre-nominations Cup market, was “courageous in defeat”.
Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott-trained White Marlin, the $2.40 favourite on Saturday, led by up to five lengths in the back straight but the bold tactics “by default” left the grey stayer vulnerable late.
Despite being headed at the 300m White Marlin fought on to hold second from South Australian visitor Hasta La War and El Patroness.
“He was courageous in defeat, you tell me the horse that comes again after 2800m leading all the way, the plan was not to lead but as he said we ended up there by default,” Waterhouse said.
“What does he do? Jump off the horse? Pull it up?”
Lunar Flare races away from White Marlin and El Patroness. Picture: George Sal-Racing Photos via Getty Images
Waterhouse rejected suggestions White Marlin was ridden too fast through the early sections.
“Not one iota,” Waterhouse said.
“He’s a free-running horse, if he goes slow he would’ve run seventh or eighth. He’s run out of his skin, he’s still a maturing horse, this is a mini Melbourne Cup and he doesn’t get the penalty.”
As it stands White Marlin has not passed the first ballot clause — relevant race performance — for the Melbourne Cup.
The stayer must place in a Group race of 2300m or further, run top five in an eligible Group 1, or be among the top eight in the Caulfield Cup to pass the ballot.
The lightly-raced gelding, based on current record and rating, is slated to be just off the minimum handicap, about 51kg, when Melbourne Cup weights are released in September.
Lunar Flare, a rising eight-year-old, is likely to attract a similar impost.
Jockey Michael Dee cruised up ominously on Lunar Flare at the 400m and booted clear to claim Flemington Listed race-to-race double.
It’sourtime snaps winless run in Straight Six
It’sourtime ended a frustrating run of minor placings with victory in the Listed Straight Six for trainer Danny O’Brien, who celebrated his birthday with another Flemington winner.
It’sourtime had placed in seven of his past 10 starts going into the race and a fortnight ago missed a run in the Listed Wangoom Handicap at Warrnambool due to losing a shoe on the way to the gates.
The five-year-old made up for it on Saturday, with a perfect ride from jockey Michael Dee, to reel in favourite D’jumbuck in the 1200m sprint.
“He’s probably overdue, run a heap of seconds and thirds the past 18 months in similar style races,” O’Brien said.
“Dee gave him a perfect steer, he always had D’jumbuck in his sights and got to him and was strong the last 100m.”
It’sourtime holds off favourite D’jumbuck (white, blue sleeves) in the Straight Six at Flemington. Picture: Brett Holburt-Racing Photos via Getty Images
O’Brien last won the Straight Six in 2019 with Order Of Command.
Dee, who also won the race in 2018 aboard First Among Equals, praised It’sourtime’s tenacity late to overhaul the D’jumbuck.
“I wasn’t sure if we were going to get past the D’jumbuck in the initial stages but we got to him quite easy and then it just took a little bit to get past but once he put his head in front he was strong,” Dee said.
It’sourtime was desperately unlucky in the Straight Six last year, cluttered up behind a wall of horses and disappointed for runs in the concluding stages.
No such problems on Saturday with Dee tracking D’jumbuck in the run before taking over from the 200m.