Stayer Mark Twain writes ticket to the Melbourne Cup

Posted by RS NewsWire at 9:14pm on March 30th

American author Mark Twain wrote of the Melbourne Cup nearly 140 years ago and a horse of the same name could write his own piece of history after a stunning victory at Flemington.

New Zealand-trained Mark Twain came from near last in The Roy Higgins (2600m) on Saturday to claim a ballot exemption into the Group 1 Melbourne Cup (3200m) at Flemington in November.

The Roy Higgins is one of four Flemington staying races that offers the winner ‘win and you’re in’ status into the Melbourne Cup.

Ridden by Michael Dee, Mark Twain ($9.50) scored a half-length win from Strawberry Rock ($10) with Mostly Cloudy ($7.50) a long neck away third.

The Roy Higgins was Mark Twain’s first start in Victoria after the Roger James and Robert Wellwood-trained stayer raced at The Championships in Sydney last year.

Mark Twain finished tenth in the Australian Derby at Randwick last year, but James said the gelding was not suited on the heavy ground on that occasion.

“It was a bottomless track that day and other than that he has hardly ever blotted his copybook and no doubt that staying is the name of his game, and big tracks,” James said.

James had almost given up on his dream of having Mark Twain earn a start in the Melbourne Cup when he was struggling to keep in touch with the field.

“I can hardly believe that this horse did that today,” James said.

“At the 600 (metre mark) I have all but given up hope. He was flat catching the second-last horse, but the big expanse of Flemington has helped him.

“It was a mighty staying effort, and now that we have a golden ticket, it makes it a lot easier.”

Dee said Mark Twain had been a difficult ride, but the gelding was an out-and-out stayer.

“To be honest, I was just trying to get him around the track,” Dee said.

“We’re here at Flemington and he wanted to hang out on me the whole way and I didn’t have a lot of steering in the straight, but once he finally changed legs and balanced up in the straight, that was when you saw that turn-of-foot.

“He’s certainly got great staying ability and we definitely saw it then.”

More Racing News

Grahame Begg mares to clash in Geoffrey Bellmaine Stakes

Grahame Begg finds himself in a difficult position as he prepares to run two of his mares in a Stakes race at Sandown, a situation he acknowledges is not ideal. Both Miraval Rose and So Glamorous are set to compete in the Group 3 Geoffrey Bellmaine Stakes (1200m) on Saturday. The...

Yesterday

Widden-born Flex chases G3 Widden Stakes win

Widden Stud may not have a runner carrying its famous silks in this weekend’s Rosehill race named in its honor, but the stud’s influence will still be felt in the $250,000 Group 3 Widden Stakes. Leading contender The Playwright is sired by Widden stallion Written By, while another runner, Mac Daddy...

Yesterday

Gear change for Blitzburg in G3 Canonbury Stakes

Trainers Gerald Ryan and Sterling Alexiou are hoping the addition of winkers will help Snitzel colt Blitzburg bounce back to winning form after an unsuccessful Magic Millions campaign. Originally named as the second emergency for the $3 million Magic Millions Classic, Blitzburg’s connections ultimately had to withdraw him due to a...

Yesterday

Ceolwulf leads home big guns in trial

Ceolwulf has sharpened up for his upcoming return in the Apollo Stakes with an impressive barrier trial victory at Warwick Farm, signaling a promising autumn campaign ahead. The dual Group 1 winner dictated the tempo in Thursday’s 1000m heat, cruising to the line unchallenged to defeat Via Sistina, a likely rival...

Yesterday

Second time lucky for Boa Vista in G3 Chairman’s Stakes

Boa Vista will be hoping for better luck this time around as she gears up for her debut at Sandown. The two-year-old, trained by Mick Price and Michael Kent Jnr, is set to line up in the Group 3 Chairman’s Stakes (1000m) on Saturday after missing a similar race last weekend. She...

Yesterday

Refreshed Arataki chases second G3 Bellmaine Stakes win

Warrnambool-based trainer Matthew Williamson has noticed a renewed spark in Wrote To Arataki, and he’s hopeful it will translate into another Stakes victory at Sandown. The mare is set to return to racing in the Group 3 Geoffrey Bellmaine Stakes (1200m) on Saturday, a race she previously won in 2023. Last year,...

Yesterday

The Quokka on the radar for former Perth star

Expensive Perth-bred gelding Bustling might make his return to his home state for a lucrative race after a less-than-ideal debut under Melbourne-based trainers Mick Price and Michael Kent Jnr in September. Previously trained by Dan Morton, Bustling gained significant attention in Australian racing circles after a sensational start to his career....

Yesterday

Stars aligning for Brudenell in the Southern Cross Stakes

It has been just under a year since Brudenell finished a close fifth in the Oakleigh Plate, and trainer Kris Lees is optimistic that the stakes performer is returning to that level of form. The five-year-old was beaten by less than two lengths in the Group 1 sprint, but some minor...

Yesterday

It’s all Business for Walker mare ahead of Geoffrey Bellmaine Stakes

The Mark Walker stable has opted for a softer first-up assignment for It’s Business Time as the New Zealand mare makes her long-awaited return to the racetrack. Although she was also entered for the Group 3 Geoffrey Bellmaine Stakes (1200m) at Sandown on Saturday, It’s Business Time will instead run in...

Yesterday

Mr Brightside prepares for CF Orr Stakes return

Mr Brightside will return to the scene of his maiden victory when he trials at Geelong. The Lindsay Park-trained galloper won his maiden at Geelong in July 2021, his third race start and the beginning of a six-race winning streak that eventually led to Mr Brightside becoming one of Australia’s best...

Jan 28th