There was plenty of royal interest surrounding this year’s Geelong Cup, but it was local jockey Celine Gaudray who stole the show with an emotional win aboard Torranzino, securing the Horsham stayer a start in the Melbourne Cup.
More than fifty years after King Charles III attended school near Geelong, his royal silks were back on course, this time carried by Gilded Water, who narrowly missed victory. Instead, it was Gaudray’s moment to shine as Torranzino ($10) claimed the Group 2 Geelong Cup (2400m) by half a length over the $1.80 favourite Gilded Water, with Berkeley Square ($7) a further neck away in third.
For Gaudray, it was a lifelong dream realised and the potential gateway to racing’s grandest stage. “It is so surreal,” she said post-race. “Ever since I was a little girl I watched the Melbourne Cup – as does everybody else – and to get a ride is unbelievable and this horse really deserves his spot.”
She described the run as one of perfect rhythm and connection. “The whole race I was giggling to myself. He was travelling really well and I thought at the 600 (metre mark) that I’d pop out and let him come into it. I had so much horse underneath me and he took me to the line.”
Trainer Paul Preusker praised Torranzino’s tenacity and fitness, describing the five-year-old as “a tricky but tough horse” now well on target for the 3200m challenge at Flemington. The victory also saw his odds slashed from $51 to $34 for the Melbourne Cup.
Earlier in the day, New Zealand duo Mark Walker and Michael Dee struck success with Azazel ($6.50) in the Listed Geelong Classic (2200m). The gelding, by 2009 Melbourne Cup winner Shocking, overcame a tactical race to stamp his credentials for the upcoming Victoria Derby (2500m).
Stable representative Ben Gleeson said the slower tempo worked against him but expects improvement with the step up in trip. “He toughed it out,” Gleeson said. “When I saw them slacken the pace and make it a sit-sprint, it was never going to suit this horse. He’ll love the 2500 (metres of the Victoria Derby). We bought him with that profile in mind (and) hopefully we get a strongly run 2500 and a true staying test.”
Azazel has firmed to $8 in Derby markets ahead of the November 1 feature. For Cup and Derby betting odds, visit Australia’s top betting sites.