Melbourne Cup and Cox Plate raiders ready for spring assault

Wathnan Racing could be set for a major presence in Australia this spring, with racing manager Richard Brown revealing the operation has the Melbourne Cup and Cox Plate firmly in its sights.

Speaking on SENTrack and RSN's Giddy Up this morning, Brown revealed that promising stayer Hopewell Rock has the Ebor Handicap as the next major target, with victory at York securing the horse a place in the Melbourne Cup.

“He’s relatively untapped,” Brown said of the lightly raced stayer.

Hopewell Rock will line up in the Ebor with plenty at stake, with Brown revealing the Melbourne Cup is firmly on the radar should everything go to plan.

“It’s very much on our minds that if all went well, the Melbourne Cup is definitely on his radar,” Brown said.

The Ebor, run at York, provides Hopewell Rock with an important opportunity to showcase his staying credentials, with a strong performance putting him in firm contention for a victory in the first Tuesday of November.

Wathnan Racing could also have another high-profile representative heading to Australia, with Map Of Stars being targeted at the Group 1 Cox Plate at Flemington.

The talented galloper was ridden by James McDonald at Ascot, with the leading Australian jockey making the trip over to partner him.

Brown joked that McDonald had seemingly decided everything he rode would be perfect for Australia, but there is genuine interest in bringing Map Of Stars south for the spring.

The horse raced yesterday, but Brown felt the lack of genuine tempo worked against him and believes he will be better suited when given the opportunity to race at a stronger speed.

“He needs genuine tempo to see his best,” Brown said.

The plan now is to get the necessary veterinary work completed before giving Map Of Stars a short freshen-up ahead of a potential Australian campaign.

“If everything goes to plan, the Cox Plate will be the target.”

The potential arrival of Hopewell Rock and Map Of Stars would mark the first time Wathnan Racing has had horses competing in Australia, adding an international flavour to what is shaping as another exciting spring carnival.

And while Brown was able to shed plenty of light on Wathnan Racing’s immediate Australian plans, he was less forthcoming when asked whether the operation could establish a more permanent presence in Australia.

With a smile, Brown joked that the question was “well above my pay grade”, suggesting CEO Olly Tait would be the man to ask.

For now, though, Wathnan Racing appears ready to test the Australian waters, with the Melbourne Cup and Cox Plate both potentially featuring on a star-studded spring itinerary.

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