Geelong Cup Proves No Hurdle for Street Cry's Qewy

The most recent win for the Charlie Appleby-trained Qewy (IRE) came in a Novices' Hurdle at Newbury in February 2015 when ridden by AP McCoy but he may be headed for the $6 million Melbourne Cup after leading all the way in Wednesday's $300,000 Group III Bet365 Geelong Cup (2400m).

Ridden by Kerrin McEvoy Qewy (IRE) kept up a relentless gallop to see off Matt Cumani's game Grey Lion (IRE) by a long-head with Godolphin's number one seed Oceanographer (GB) making up plenty of ground late to be another three-quarter of a length back in third. (photo Darryl Sherer).

"The Melbourne Cup is the plan," Appleby's assistant trainer James Ferguson said. 

"If he goes up enough (in the weights) and he gets in. That's the plan."

After finishing a troubled second on stablemate Scottish in the Group 1 Caulfield Cup, Kerrin McEvoy said the intention was to make it a solid staying test.

"The team said get him mobile, get him warmed up and get him into the race," he said. "We were able to get out into a rhythm and at the top of the hill I asked him to wheel on down and away he went.

"Full credit to the horse. He lacks that change of gears but he's very genuine and just keeps picking up.

"At the top of the running I thought he (Grey Lion) was going to get to me but my fellow never let him get any nearer than a head. He was quite adamant he wanted to win.

"He obviously stays further than that so the Cup's the viable option now and he's got a good each-way chance in it too.

"This will be exciting for Charlie, his first winner down here.

"Obviously Scottish didn't have a great run throughout last week but was able to run second so they have had a good campaign out here.

Qewy (IRE) earned a trip to Australia off the back of two seconds in valuable handicaps at Ascot and Goodwood when ridden by James McDonald.

All seven of his starts in 2015 and his first two starts this year were over the jumps. His only other stakes win came in 2014 in the Listed Heritage Stakes at Leopardstown when trained by John Oxx.

A three-quarter brother to Group II Lancashire Oaks winner Emirates Queen and half-brother to the Listed stakes winner Jordan Princess (Cape Cross), the 7yo gelding is a real blueblood.

He is a son of reigning champion stallion in Australia, Street Cry (IRE) out of the stakes-winning Barathea mare Princess Nada who is a half-sister to Darley's outstanding stallion Dubawi.