European stayer Torcedor is being prepared for a tilt at this year’s $8 million Melbourne Cup.
Torcedor, now owned by Australian Bloodstock, had intended to travel to Melbourne for last years Cup but was a late withdrawal on vets’ advice after recording a high temperature.
Torcedor finished runner-up to Stradivarius in the Goodwood Cup (3219m) and third The Gold Cup (4014m) in 2018.
“The plan is to have him nice and fit and go straight into a lead up race to the German St Leger and then go straight into quarantine,” Australian Bloodstock director Jamie Lovett told RSN927.
“He’ll come out here in the second shipment and hopefully go straight into the Melbourne Cup.”
“If he brings his Ascot form from 12 months ago he’ll be our main hope for the Cup.”
Online bookmaker Sportsbet have Torcedor sitting as equal second favourite at $21 in Melbourne Cup 2019 odds.
Good news for the Melbourne Cup with Torcedor set to contest the race
He will race in the Deutsches St. Leger and won't have an Australian start prior to the Melbourne Cup
Torcedor ran second to Stradivarius twice last year including this narrow defeat in the Group 1 Goodwood Cup pic.twitter.com/Ilasjn49MH— Nick Quinn (@Quinny_1) July 8, 2019
Article from JustHorseRacing.com.au