Oliver equals Cup carnival record
Damien Oliver left his record-breaking to the very last race at Flemington, with Order of Command (Squamosa) his 72nd winner of the Melbourne Cup carnival.
Oliver needed one winner to equal the carnival record of four-time Melbourne Cup-winning rider Bobbie Lewis, which has stood for more than 50 years.
"It's a bit overwhelming actually," Oliver said. "It's been a long Carnival and there have been a lot of placings for me, a lot of seconds but it's nice to equal (the record) on a horse of Danny O'Brien's because he's a good friend."
Oliver was later suspended for 10 meetings for causing interference in the G1 Mackinnon S. on Prized Icon (More Than Ready {USA}).
Stephen Baster was given a 10-meeting ban for careless riding on Northwest Passage (So You Think {NZ}) in the G3 Queen Elizabeth S., while Ethan Brown was handed an eight-meeting ban.
The Ron Hutchinson Excellence Award for the Carnival's top jockey went to James McDonald, who won two races across the four days including the G1 Empire Rose Stakes and had placings in the G1 Cantala Stakes, the G1 VRC Derby and the G1 Coolmore Stud Stakes.
Japan Cup on Latrobe's agenda?
Latrobe (Ire) (Camelot {GB}) could be headed to the G1 Japan Cup after his narrow defeat in the G1 Seppelt Mackinnon S. at Flemington.
The northern hemisphere 3-year-old, owned by Lloyd Williams, was paid up as a late entry earlier this week and after a strong performance in Australia, the Irish Derby winner could be headed to the Japanese feature on November 25.
Trainer Joseph O'Brien was happy with what he saw from Latrobe, who was narrowly beaten by Trap For Fools (Poet's Voice {GB}).
"I can't ask for any more than that really. He ran a fantastic race. Mark (Zahra) gave him a great ride. We are very proud of the horse," O'Brien said.
"He has all the big 10 and 12-furlong races on his radar."
"Probably 12 furlongs (2400m) is his best trip. He's going to be a more mature horse next year. He was one of the biggest horses in the paddock in the race and he is only three."
Jaameh eyes 2019 Cup
Having just missed a place in this year's G1 Lexus Melbourne Cup, Jaameh (Ire) (Iffraaj {GB}) may have secured a spot in next year's race with his win in the G3 Queen Elizabeth S.
Co-trainer David Hayes said Jaameh looked every bit like he'd handle the 3200m of a Melbourne Cup and that 2019 was already on the radar.
"He should have finished very close to A Prince Of Arran (in the Lexus)," Hayes said. "He needs momentum and if you really watch the Hotham (Lexus), on the line, it was an old-fashioned great Cup trial. He was sticking on hard and he pulled up well."
"We'll put him aside for the Sydney Cup," Hayes said.
Sprinter on Group 1 path
Speedy mare Indecision (NZ) (Per Incanto {USA}) has been set a summer Group 1 target.
The 5-year-old earned further black type on Saturday when she led all the way at Te Rapa to dominate the finish of the Listed Legacy Lodge Sprint.
“She’s come back a lot stronger this season and racing far more professionally,” trainer Tony Pike said.
“It was a pretty tidy field and she’s done it well so we’ll be putting in a nomination for the Railway.
“She’s really holding her form well and she takes luck out of the equation with her racing style.”
Leith Innes, sporting the Trelawney Stud colours, jumped Indecision to the front and she slipped clear on the turn and strolled to the post for the fifth win of her 20-start career.
She is now a two-time black type winner having claimed top honours in the Listed NZB Finance Sprint at Hastings last preparation.
Cassaquinman flies home in Pegasus
A long-term plan was perfectly executed at Riccarton with Cassaquinman (NZ) (Per Incanto {USA}).
He had been set back in the winter for a first-up tilt at Saturday’s Yesberg Insurance Services Pegasus S., and he came from the tail of the small field to bury his rivals.
“It’s very satisfying. We targeted this race when he went for a break in May and it’s great that it’s come off,” trainer Shane Brown said.
“He’s got a great turn of foot and full credit too for Dylan Turner getting down to 53.5kg.”
Turner, who has battled weight issues in the past, has been the regular rider of Cassaquinman through the grades.
“He’s a lovely horse at home – he’s like an old hack, but on race day he just drags me into the race and makes me look good,” Turner said.
Youngster gets act together
Maybeashowoff (NZ) (Showcasing {GB}) showed he was a quick learner with success at Te Rapa on Saturday.
The youngster was beaten into fifth on debut at Pukekohe Park last month, but didn’t put a foot wrong second-up to defy the favourite Probabeel (NZ) (Savabeel) in the Te Rapa Tavern 2YO.
“He’s got a lot of speed, but he was just too busy at his first start,” trainer, co-breeder and part-owner David Greene said.
“We’ve done a lot of work with him to settle him down and putting the pacifiers on relaxed him.
“It’s a huge advantage for a 2-year-old to run on their home track and get to the rail and follow the fence.”
Maybeashowoff jumped cleanly to make all in front and he had enough in reserve to stave off the late lunge of Probabeel.
The gelding is out of Cassie May (NZ) (Red Clubs {IRE}), who won three races from Greene’s stable and was stakes-placed as a juvenile.
Early move sets up boilover win
A canny ride by Cameron Lammas paved the way for Dee And Gee (NZ) (Darci Brahma {NZ}) to an upset win in the Listed Redwood Metropolitan Trophy at Riccarton.
The 50-1 hope was wide early before Lammas made his move 1000 metres from home to hit the front.
They eased clear on straightening and never looked like being caught, easily holding Felaar (NZ) (Ekraar {USA}) at bay for a dominant victory.
“She was a handy sort of horse last season and won over 2500 metres on Cup day,” co-trainer Peter Corbett said.
“This season she hadn’t seemed to come up like I thought she would – she was obviously saving it for this.”
Corbett, who prepares the mare with his co-owner Terrill Charles, said Dee And Gee will back up in next Saturday’s G3 Christchurch Casino New Zealand Cup.
