The 2010 Melbourne Cup nominee Drunken Sailor stepped up his game leading into Australia’s greatest race on Saturday, by defeating a top field in the Listed Windflower March Stakes (2800m).
The last-stride win from Drunken Sailor ticks all the boxes for a strong Melbourne Cup runner.
Taking to the Goodwood Racecourse in West Sussex England, the Luca Cumani-trained gelding came from the back of the six-horse field to claim the win on the line.
By Defeating the German Bergo by the slightest of margins, the legendary Cumani now has a threatening brood to take to the 2010 Melbourne Cup.
Cumani has had runners in the Melbourne Cup final field for the last four years, and has finished second-best twice.
The last-stride win from Drunken Sailor ticks all the boxes for a strong Melbourne Cup runner, which will now make the long and arduous journey ‘down under’.
Also forming part of the strong 2010 Melbourne Cup contingent for Cumani is the Linamix gelding Manighar.
The five-year-old ran second to another 150th Melbourne Cup hopeful Americain in the Group Two Kergolay Stakes (3000m) a couple of weeks ago.
The 2008 Melbourne Cup placegetter Bauer could be another contender travelling with Cumani, but that decision will be made after his first-up run, the first since hitting the Flemington track two years ago.
The son of Hauling will run in the Persian Punch Stakes (2800m) at Salisbury, England, on Thursday.
The two definite to travel – Drunken Sailor and Mangihar – will head to quarantine on Wednesday August 7, and are expected to arrive in Melbourne on September 25.
In other 2010 Melbourne Cup news, international contenders for the prizemoney are deteriorating. Japanese numbers are dwindling the most, with Tokai Trick confirmed as the only possible runner this year.
The 150th Melbourne Cup will run as race seven at Flemington Racecourse on November 2, so make sure you check back in here at Horseraces.com.au for all the latest news!
