Godolphin's hopes of a first Melbourne Cup win were boosted at Newbury on Saturday when Royal Empire earned his passage to Australia with a decisive win over the accomplished Red Cadeaux in the G3 Geoffrey Freer Stakes.
Photo by Racing and Sports
Godolphin racing manager Simon Crisford was quick to outline intentions to Royal Empire in the $2.5 million Caulfield Cup and $6 million Melbourne Cup after his 1.5 lengths victory in the 2700m event that has a strong history as a spring carnival guide.
"I'm very pleased and we'll just have to hope he goes up a few pounds so he qualifies for the Melbourne Cup,” Crisford said.
"He won this off 112 and it's difficult to get in to the Melbourne Cup off less than 115. Hopefully the handicapper will take the view that he has a few pounds in hand.
"He'll have a couple more runs but I'm not sure where.
“He'll start quarantine on October 6, with a couple of weeks in England and a couple in Australia."
Royal Empire is one of the emerging talents in the Saeed Bin Suroor's stable, having competed in minor British races last season before he picked up a 2000m handicap in four appearances in Dubai earlier this year.
He returned to the UK to win a Listed race and took the next step on Saturday when he summoned a fine burst of speed approaching the 200m and maintained the momentum to the line to hold off a gallant Red Cadeaux.
Running by far his finest race of the British season after respectable efforts in Dubai and Japan, Red Cadeaux also booked his ticket for a third trip to Australia.
George Peckham, assistant to Red Cadeaux's trainer Ed Dunlop, said another UK start was unlikely for the seasoned traveller before the Caulfield Cup.
"It's great to see him back to his best and the weight just beat him," Peckham said.
"The plan is to go into quarantine and start off in the Caulfield Cup."
Royal Empire's stablemate Lost In The Moment, who has twice been a visitor to Australia but missed the cut for the Melbourne Cup last year, finished third and could also make a return visit.
