Stayer Mark Twain writes ticket to the Melbourne Cup
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
Tough Willaidow shines bright in the Southern Cross Stakes
Purchased for just $7000 and with one leg held together by pins, Willaidow’s tenacity on the racetrack has trainer Marc Conners dreaming of big achievements. The six-year-old gelding showcased his grit once again at Rosehill on Saturday, fending off all challengers to claim victory in the Group Three Southern Cross...
She’s Bulletproof does Littlefield proud in the Bellmaine Stakes
Trainer Charlotte Littlefield is not typically known for pushing her horses hard, but she had to adopt a tougher approach with She’s Bulletproof in the lead-up to a Stakes race at Sandown. The change in training and feeding regimen paid off handsomely when She’s Bulletproof claimed victory in the Group...
Inkaruna bobs into 2025 Blue Diamond Stakes contention
Daniel Moor’s dedication to riding in jump-outs at training centers, often overlooked by other jockeys, has paid off in a big way. Moor secured a late booking to ride Inkaruna in the Group 3 Chairman’s Stakes (1000m) at Sandown on Saturday after Craig Williams was unable to fulfill his engagement...
Snitzel colt Blitzes rivals in the Canonbury Stakes
Trainer Gerald Ryan remains cautious about pursuing a Golden Slipper start with Blitzburg, despite the colt’s impressive all-the-way victory in the Group 3 Canonbury Stakes at Rosehill on Saturday. Blitzburg ($4.80), the most experienced juvenile in the field of seven, surged ahead at the top of the straight and held on...
Jamie Melham getting used to new name
New York Lustre will forever hold a special place in the heart of jockey Jamie Melham after securing a thrilling victory at Sandown. Trained by Enver Jusufovic, New York Lustre delivered Melham her first win since marrying fellow jockey Ben Melham last month, triumphing in the John Moule Handicap (1200m) on...
The Playwright stars in thrilling finish to win 2025 Widden Stakes
Tulloch Lodge is considering following the same path with The Playwright that led Lady Of Camelot to success 12 months ago, after the filly mirrored her Golden Slipper-winning stablemate by claiming the Widden Stakes. Lady Of Camelot won the fillies’ feature last year before finishing second in the Group 1 Blue...
Fresh Ron’s Finalflutter can win Bunbury Classic 2025 says Morton
Ron’s Finalflutter kicks off her potential WA Oaks campaign this Sunday at Bunbury, and trainer Dan Morton believes she has what it takes to deliver a strong performance fresh in the Listed Greenfields Lodge WA Breeders’ Classic (1200m). “I wouldn’t rule her out,” Morton said on Tabradio. “She’s got a lot...
Paula Trenwith chases birthday gift at the Parks
Morphettville based Paula Trenwith could not think of a better present than that of winning a race on her birthday. Trenwith prepares a team of eight horses at Morphettville and has three runners at the Morphettville Parks meeting on Saturday, her birthday. Savatoff runs in the Happy 80th Birthday Glynn Pretty Handicap (1950m),...
Oh baby: Newcastle mare out to finish on a career-high
If the upcoming Rosehill meeting were scheduled just one day later, in-form mare So Newchee Thinks would be ineligible to race. The daughter of So You Think is currently in foal to Starspangledbanner, and according to racing rules, her official cut-off date for competing is February 1, which coincides with...
Price looking for Gold lining in the Southern Cross Stakes
Luke Price is the first to admit that Our Gold Hope will need both pace and luck to make an impact first-up in a black-type sprint, but he is equally confident she is in strong enough form to defy her outsider status. Priced at $61, the mare is set to start...