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Chase a dream: Share of horse qualified for 2023 Melbourne Cup up for grabs
By Chris Roots
There is a chance for racing enthusiasts to chase the dream in the next couple of days with Big Dance contender Superium up for sale and a 10 per cent share in Melbourne Cup-qualified Future History also available.
The share in Future History, which raced into the Melbourne Cup by winning the Bart Cummings earlier in the month, has created a lot of interest according to Inglis Bloodstock general manager Sebastian Hutch.
Future History stretches out to victory in the Bart Cummings to earn a Melbourne Cup start.Credit: Getty
“The amount of different bidders on the share is remarkable, and it comes because you are buying the chance to be an owner in the Melbourne Cup only a couple of weeks out from the race,” Hutch said. “It is a dream of a lot of people to be part of the Melbourne Cup.
“There are people that go overseas to find a Cup horse, and here is an opportunity to buy one in Australia in good form and with a quick turnaround until the race.”
There had been 33 bids on the Future History share on Sunday with the price standing at $60,000 with more two days remaining in the auction.
In England, there are major sales leading into Royal Ascot, where horses are routinely purchased that will race a couple of days later, and before Champions Day at Ascot last week.
Superium, left, is up for sale.Credit: Getty
The Australian model allows horses to be traded online without leaving the stable. The best example of it was the share sold in Private Eye last year. The horse has since placed twice in The Everest and has landed more than $6 million.
Superium is a different proposition because he is an older gelding which won the Port Macquire Cup earlier in the month to qualify for the $3 million Big Dance.
In form Hyeronimus gets Tom Kitten ride in Spring Champion Stakes
Godolphin trainer James Cummings set his sights on Saturday’s Spring Champion Stakes with Tom Kitten back in the autumn, and aside from some late jockey drama everything has gone to plan to have him favourite for the group 1.
Nash Rawiller’s suspension on Wednesday left Cummings searching for a rider. There were limited options as many top-line jockeys are heading to Saturday’s Cox Plate meeting in Melbourne.
Adam Hyeronimus will ride Tom Kitten on Saturday.Credit: bradleyphotos.com.au
He landed on Adam Hyeronimus for Tom Kitten, which has been placed in the Ming Dynasty Quality, Dulcify Stakes and Gloaming Stakes after starting his preparation by winning the Up And Coming Stakes.
“The build-up on the track couldn’t have been better. Every run he has gotten better, and he gets to the trip where he will be at his best in great order,” Cummings said.
“When we needed to find a jockey, Adam was the best available because he is in form, winning the Flight Stakes on Tropical Squall, and has a great record at the 2000m at Randwick, which not too many people realise.
“I could not be happier with my horse or my jockey.”
Earlier invitations needed for $2 million showcase
Racing NSW and the Australian Turf Club need to be more proactive in attracting horses to The Invitation, which will be run for a purse of $2 million at Randwick on Saturday.
The field will be led by Everest runners Espiona and Alcohol Free along with group 1 winners Ruthless Dame and Royal Merchant, but invites were only issued in the past week.
The race could be the centrepiece of any mare’s preparation and there should be at least six invitations given ahead of the spring.
To give the race a stronger build-up it would be good for invitations to be known a lot earlier.
Officials should be looking at group 1 races like the Surround Stakes, Coolmore Classic and Queen Of The Turf in the autumn to offer the chance to run for $2 million in the spring as well as the Tatts Tiara in Brisbane.
Instead, the race has become a ho-hum affair, and they could even struggle to fill out the field. It doesn’t live up to its purse or attract the attention it should.
Impressive Arctic Glamour ready for group 2 step up
Arctic Glamour takes the next step on the path Gerald Ryan and Sterling Alexiou designed after her first start in the winter in Saturday’s Callander-Presnell at Randwick. The Frosted filly is unbeaten this preparation.
The Thousand Guineas at Caulfield next month is the ultimate goal.
“We knew what we had when she went for a spell, and we are just ticking off the races we planned with her,” Ryan said.
“She has been impressive twice, and the mile should suit her even better on the weekend. If she runs well, the Thousand Guineas is there for her.”
Arctic Glamour is a $2.50 favourite for the Callander-Presnell and will be joined at Randwick by three-year-old stablemate General Salute and Ballroom Bella, which will run in the Brian Crawley Stakes.
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