Written by Jackson Frantz
Cover image courtesy of Bronwen Healy
Saturday’s G1 Cox Plate may not be the endgame for highly credentialled French import Gold Trip (Fr) (Outstrip {GB}) but it would be naïve to suggest that victory isn’t high on Australian Bloodstock's agenda, providing he passes Friday morning’s decisive veterinary inspection.
The Newcastle-based syndicator featured on our nation’s grandest stage seven years ago when Protectionist (Ger) put its colours in lights by winning the G1 Melbourne Cup, however, victory in the 2040 metre Moonee Valley spectacle has eluded founding directors Jamie Lovett and Luke Murrell.
Luke Murrell and Jamie Lovett | Image courtesy of Sportspix
The All-Star Mile winner Mugatoo (Ire) (Henrythenavigator {USA}) gave Australian Bloodstock its best Cox Plate result last year when finishing 3.3l fourth after enduring an arduous run in transit while Danceteria (Fr) (Redoute’s Choice) failed to beat a runner home the year prior after suffering from EIPH.
“The Melbourne Cup and the Cox Plate have always been the two races we’ve strived for, I’d just love to win a Cox Plate and obviously another Melbourne Cup,” Jamie Lovett told TDN AusNZ this week.
“The Melbourne Cup and the Cox Plate have always been the two races we’ve strived for." - Jamie Lovett
“The Caulfield Cup if we got the right horse, I’d love to win it but it’s a hard one because it's often run on a firm track and we’ve had no luck coming out of it, so for now the Cox Plate and Melbourne Cup are the highest on our list of races to win.”
Trip Down Under
Previously prepared by Fabrice Chappet and owned by Jean-Louis Bouchard, Gold Trip has acquitted himself at the highest level in France, finishing fourth ahead of Enable (GB) (Nathaniel {Ire}) and Stradivarius (Ire) (Sea The Stars {Ire}) in last year’s G1 Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe.
The lightly raced 4-year-old has reigned supreme at Group 2 level over 2200 metres and boasts three Group 1 placings.
Now in the care of Ciaron Maher and David Eustace, Gold Trip will be out to emulate the feats of Sir Dragonet (Ire) (Camelot {GB}), who etched his name on the Cox Plate honour roll last year before measuring up in a G1 Melbourne Cup and then training on to salute at Group 1 level during the Sydney autumn carnival.
“We were trying to identify a horse that wasn’t just coming for one carnival, we were looking at the endgame with him and when I spoke to David (Eustace) we thought a race like the Cox Plate would be ideal, because he’s got a really good turn of foot and not a long-sustained sprint,” Lovett said.
"I spoke to David (Eustace) we thought a race like the Cox Plate would be ideal, because he’s (Gold Trip) got a really good turn of foot and not a long-sustained sprint." - Jamie Lovett
“We also felt that he’s a horse that we could bring for the spring and anything he does would set him up to be a really nice horse over the next 12 months, as there’s some good prizemoney races in the Sydney autumn.”
Placing Gold Trip in the care of Maher and Eustace was an easy decision to make, according to Lovett.
“We’ve got a lot of horses in the stable with them, they’re good to work with and they do a great job and it made perfect sense in this current climate that we could have Harry Eustace, David’s brother who is based in Newmarket, preparing the horse and having him race fit,” Lovett said.
David Eustace and Ciaron Maher | Image courtesy of Bronwen Healy
Gold Trip was last seen on July 4 when finishing 1.1l third behind the Aidan O’Brien-trained Broome (Ire) (Australia {GB}) in the G1 Grand Prix de Saint-Cloud.
And while Lovett acknowledges his galloper's superior European form lines, he remains wary of the task at hand on Saturday against acclimatised import and race favourite Zaaki (GB) (Leroidesanimaux {Brz})
“When Zaaki came to Australia if you compare their formlines its apples and oranges but there’s no denying that Annabel Neasham’s done an amazing job and taken him to another level,” Lovett said.
“So, if he (Zaaki) bounces back from his last start (fourth in the G1 Might And Power S.) he’s the horse to beat but if this race was at Doncaster or Longchamp Gold Trip would be 7-4 and Zaaki would be 10-1.”
An injury cloud hangs over Gold Trip leading into Saturday’s race, and he will need to prove his fitness to Racing Victoria's vets ahead of the race.
Lovett said this week that the horse was in good order and had progressed in his recovery since being deemed lame on arrival in Australia last month.
He holds no concerns about Gold Trip's inside draw, barrier two, saying that his galloper will be granted every chance by Damien Oliver.
“We were delighted with his work at Moonee Valley last Saturday and Damien Oliver said he felt good and that his action was good, and we’re delighted with the way he has come to hand,” Lovett said.
"We were delighted with his (Gold Trip's) work at Moonee Valley last Saturday and Damien Oliver said he felt good and that his action was good." - Jamie Lovett
“So, on Saturday we will let the gates open and let him (Damien Oliver) read the race but on face value there doesn’t seem a lot of speed.
“I don’t think he has to be as far back, however, if they go really fast my concern is that he may be ran off his feet dropping back from 2400 metres.”
Backed by success
A group of well-known participants have joined Australian Bloodstock in the ownership of Gold Trip, including Neil Werrett, Noel Greenhalgh, Colin Madden and Francis and Christine Cook.
And while Lovett doesn’t feel a sense of pressure, he is hopeful of rewarding connections for their faith in the Australian Bloodstock brand.
Ciaron Maher, Lena Attebo and Neil Werrett | Image courtesy of Bronwen Healy
“We’re lucky to have the backing of very good clients and people that are happy to back our judgement because when we bring the right horses it’s a lot fun and the financial rewards are there as well,” Lovett said.
“So, it’s fantastic to have someone like Neil Werrett in the ownership, we’ve been lucky enough to race some (horses) on the fringe with Neil over the year’s but certainly not one as well credentialled as this bloke (Gold Trip).”
Cup Credentials
While a Melbourne Cup tilt rests on the physical condition of Gold Trip, Lovett is confident that he can see out the Melbourne Cup 3200-metre journey despite having a pedigree that may suggest otherwise.
Gold Trip's G1 Breeders’ Cup Juvenile Turf-winning sire Outstrip, who is by Exceed And Excel, was a three-time winner between 1400 and 1600 metres and was never once tested beyond the latter distance.
Now standing in Brazil, the former Darley stallion is responsible for 84 winners from 186 runners, with only two of those winning at 2400 metres and beyond and just 16 saluting between 2000 and 2400 metres.
Gold Trip's dam Sarvana (Fr) (Dubai Destination {USA}), who failed to figure at her only career start, provides a genuine middle-distance influence, with her Group 3-winning half-sister Sarkiyla (Fr) (Oasis Dream {GB}) and her second dam Sarliya (Ire) (Doyoun {Ire}) winning up to 2000 metres.
However, only one horse featured in Sarvana's pedigree has won at stakes level beyond 2000 metre, that being G2 Del Mar H. winner Sayarshan (Fr) (Darshaan {GB}), who claimed four races between 2100 and 2200 metres.
Got Wind (GB) (Olympic Glory {Ire}), half-brother to Gold Trip has been placed twice at Listed level in France.
“Historically, horses who can run a mile and a quarter and up to 2600 metres in Europe generally get here and are just better stayers than our stayers,” Lovett said.
“Historically, horses who can run a mile and a quarter and up to 2600 metres in Europe generally get here and are just better stayers than our stayers." - Jamie Lovett
“He hasn’t been out to two miles; his pedigree suggests that he wouldn’t get it but Lee (Horner) who rides his work at Werribee and even Ollie (Damien Oliver) said he’s such clean-winded horse who gets his wind back quickly and is very fit and relaxed.
“And usually, those horse profile like they’re going to get a trip for you. So, I’d be shocked if he doesn’t run out the two miles in the Melbourne Cup.”
