No need for Marmelo to look at Caulfield track before Cup

Brad Waters - Monday October 16

Marmelo's connections have no plans to give the international galloper at look at the Caulfield track before Saturday's Group I Caulfield Cup (2400m).

Advertisement
Marmelo winning the Prix Kergorlay. Photo: France Galop

Marmelo arrived in Melbourne with the first shipment of overseas horses last month and has done well enough in Australia to convince champion Sydney jockey Hugh Bowman to ride him in the Caulfield Cup.

The Hughie Morrison-trained stayer has competed well in England and France in his 10-start career and travelling head lad Tom Pirie said the five-year-old did not need to move from his Werribee base before his Australian debut.

"We'll leave it to raceday. He's no stranger to getting straight out of the stable and going racing," Pirie said.

"We take racing at it comes.

"We'll just keep ticking over and watch his food and watch his water and make sure he's all right and keep an eye on him."

Pirie said Bowman rode Marmelo in a gallop at Werribee last Friday and could head back to the quarantine centre to pilot the son of Duke Of Marmalade in a final hit-out on Tuesday morning.

Pirie was aboard Marmelo during his quiet canter around the Polytrack on Monday and the Scotsman said the son of Duke Of Marmalade had the fitness required to be competitive in Saturday's $3 million assignment.

"We don't stress the horse. We just try to keep it basic for him," Pirie said.

"Hugh Bowman came here last Friday and gave him a stretch on the grass. He let him run around the turn and made sure he finished up the straight and that was it.

"He ran in September and he didn't lose too much fitness and we've tried to take it all on board with the 36-hour flight, his weight loss and everything like that.

"We think he's fit enough."

Marmelo is dropping in distance after his win over 3000m in the Group II Prix Kergorlay at Deauville in August but said the entire would improve when he gets back up to 3200m in the Melbourne Cup.

"I haven't paid too much attention to the field but it's a Group I and I know we're good enough to be here," Pirie said.

"It's a mile and a half and he's dropping back in trip and the others are racing at their trip.

"Whatever he does over the mile-and-a-half, he'll improve on at two miles. "

Sportsbet has Marmelo as a $21 chance in its latest Caulfield Cup market.

Advertisment
More Reading...
Sires With Winners - Sunday December 21
Here is the full list of 49 stallions which had winners throughout Australasia today with winners and result details.
Widden Produce the Magic Winners
The beauty of buying a Magic Millions yearling is their eligibility for a rich program of races scheduled around the country and no farm has a better record for producing the winners of these races than Widden Stud with Unit Five the latest name added to the list.
Autumn Carnival Awaits King’s Secret
Arguably in need of the run when a first-up third, Joe Pride’s consistent sprinter King’s Secret (Shalaa) appeared a class above his rivals on Saturday with black type races now on the horizon for the half-brother to $12.8m earner Private Eye.
Apulia Unleashes Devastating Perth Cup Trial
Lightly raced five year old entire Apulia produced one of the best Perth Cup trials seen in years when he produced a finish Bernborough himself would have admired to take the weight for age G2 Ted Van Heemst Stakes at Ascot.
Hellbent Gelding Delivers Milestone 100th Win for Mark Newnham
Mark Newnham reached a significant milestone on Saturday at Sha Tin as leading Four-Year-Old Classic Series prospect, Invincible Ibis took another step towards the HK$13 million Hong Kong Classic Mile (1600m) – the opening leg of the three race series on February 1.
First HK Winner for Sebring Sun
Bargain priced Glenthorne Park based sire Sebring Sun had his first winner in Hong Kong on Saturday when The Red Hare saluted at Sha Tin.
Sires With Winners - Saturday December 20
Here is the full list of 98 stallions which had winners throughout Australasia today with winners and result details.
Gin a Tonic Dominates MM 3YO and 4YO Victorian Classic
The $175,000 Magic Millions Victorian 3YO and 4YO Classic (1200m) at Caulfield on Saturday produced a dominant winner in Gin a Tonic, shining the spotlight on his half-brother by Ole Kirk to be offered at Magic Millions next month.
Sword of State Yearlings to Lure Buyers to Karaka
Cambridge Stud stallion Sword Of State was represented by yet another highly promising two-year-old when the Bjorn Baker-trained Warwoven ran out an impressive winner of the TAB Plate (1000m) at Randwick on Saturday.
2025 Breednet Favourite Foal Winner
Firstly we’d like to thank everyone for taking an interest in our foal gallery and supporting their favourites, but there can only be one 2025 Favourite Foal and Vinery Stud’s first season sire Hawaii Five Oh has gained a jump on his rivals in producing his first winner!