Melbourne Cup Dreaming for The Map Following Romp in Queen Elizabeth II Cup

Mark Smith - Saturday May 4

Following seconds in the Group III Lord Reims Stakes and Group II Adelaide Cup, the glorious 5-year-old Alpine Eagle mare The Map rose to new heights in Saturday’s Group III Sportsbet Queen Elizabeth II Cup (2500m) at Morphettville.

The Map - Jamie Kah (image Morgan Hancock/Racing Photos)

Ridden by Jamie Kah for Dan Clarken and Oopy Macgillivray, the odd-on favourite won by a widening three and three-quarter lengths from Crimson Vine (Redwood) with First Immortal (Churchill) one and a quarter lengths back in third.

The winner of the Listed JRA Plate at Morphettville in February, The Map advances her record to eight wins, three seconds, and three thirds from 27 starts with earnings of $541,590.

“When they go out at $1.90, or whatever, you’re always relieved. Also I just love that horse and every time she does something like that, my heart explodes,” an excited Oopy Macgillivray said.

“She tried her heart out. I just love her.

 “Let’s hope she pulls up from this and she can go to May 18 and the Andrew Ramsden and we can get that Golden Ticket (to the Melbourne Cup).

 “The thing about the Melbourne Cup is that, especially now, it’s harder for a local horse to get in it. That’s the start. We’re nearly in it, but we keep giving ourselves that chance.

“We’ve got a fantastic ownership group. I’ve known them all a long time. They’re a lot of farmers from down at Keith and the South-East area.”

Armidale Stud consigned The Map to the 2020 Magic Millions Adelaide Yearling Sale, where Oopy MacGillivray made the final bid of $35,000.

The daughter of alpine Eagle is the best of three winners from four to race for the 9-time winning Savoire Vivre (GB) mare This Moment.

The Map a $35,000 Adelaide Magic Millions yearling

A sister to triple stakes-winner Iggimacool, This Moment had a sister to The Map in the Armidale Stud draft at the 2023 Magic Millions Tasmanian Yearling Sale. She was a $50,000 purchase for Angus River Contractors. Named On The Map, she joined her sister in the Clarken/MacGillivray stable.

After foaling another Alpine Eagle filly last spring, This Moment was covered by So You Think’s ATC Australian Derby winner, Quick Thinker.

Advertisment

Race Result - Sportsbet Queen Elizabeth II Cup Gr3 2500m

Morphettville Track: Good(4) Time: 2:43.02
1
The Map
- 5m Alpine Eagle (AUS) x This Moment (AUS) (Savoire Vivre (GB))
Tnr: D Clarken & O Macgillivray Rdr: Jamie Kah 57
2
3.7
Crimson Vine
- 4m Redwood (GB) x Margravine (AUS) (Red Ransom (USA))
Tnr: M J Seyers Rdr: Jacob Opperman 54
3
5
First Immortal
- 4g Churchill (IRE) x Storm Siren (AUS) (Excites (AUS))
Tnr: Mark & Levi Kavanagh Rdr: B Shinn 60
Churchill
4
7.7
Lake's Folly
- 7g Pierro (AUS) x Mama's Choice (AUS) (Redoute's Choice (AUS))
Tnr: Michael Hickmott Rdr: Jessica Eaton 54
5
7.7
Disagreeable Miss
- 5m Dissident (AUS) x Another Flouze (AUS) (Stratum (AUS))
Tnr: R W Huxtable Rdr: Kayla Crowther 54
6
13.3
Sharma Princess
- 4m Mongolian Khan (AUS) x Shamardal Luck (AUS) (Shamardal (USA))
Tnr: L J Cadzow Rdr: Anna Jordsjo 54
7
16
Space Equity
- 9g Equiano (FR) x Cybercyn (AUS) (Staaraq (AUS))
Tnr: L J Cadzow Rdr: D Caboche 54
8
16.3
Wolf Prince
- 5g Tivaci (AUS) x Lady Like (NZ) (Savabeel (AUS))
Tnr: Grant Young Rdr: Ben Price 54
9
16.8
Maputo
- 3g Crowded House (GB) x Buyback (AUS) (Red Ransom (USA))
Tnr: Pat Carey & Harris Walker Rdr: D Tourneur 54
More Reading...
Well Travelled Nicconi County Back in Winning Groove
Former Hong Kong galloper Nicconi County saluted for the first time since arriving on Kiwi soil at Matamata on Saturday.
Latest Golden Slipper Order Of Entry
The latest Golden Slipper order of entry has been released by Racing NSW with Farnan's Inglis Golden Gift winner North England sitting at the top, while one of the highest earning youngsters in the country has nothing to show for it.
Cambridge Stud Sires Fire Up
Cambridge Stud was in the thick of the action at Matamata with a hat-trick of winners and also made an impression further afield.
Daily Roundup For Monday February 17
A quick overview of today's results covering maiden winners, first season sire placegetters, second season sire winners and highest priced winners.
Juvenile Trial Watch - Three States
Some interesting two-year-old trials around Australia on Monday with a couple of first season sires showing up, a high priced Horses In Training graduate and a pointer to one selling at Magic Millions Perth this week.
Invincible Shield Salutes in Hong Kong
I Am Invincible four year-old Invincible Shield made a rapid rise through the grades in Brisbane last year for Tony Gollan from May through until July reeling off four consecutive wins and he posted his first Hong Kong victory at Sha Tin on Sunday.
Pivotal Ten Highlights Valachi Downs Legacy
Kevin Hickman has left a lasting mark on New Zealand’s breeding industry, with the recent success of sensational filly Pivotal Ten an embodiment of his vision at Valachi Downs.
Smart HK Winner for Written By- Three-Quarter Sister Inglis Premier
Written By has had a hot start to February which kicked off when The Playwright won the Group III ATC Widden Stakes on the first day of the month with a stream of winners following including progressive four year-old Steps Ahead, who won at Sha Tin on Sunday and has aspirations for the Hong Kong Derby.
Will it be a fairytale finish for Tasmanian-bred mare The Map?
Fresh from sweeping the sire awards at the 2024 Tasmanian Racing Awards this season, the Armidale Stud team is in line for another significant achievement with The Map (Alpine Eagle x This Moment) flying the flag for resident stallion Alpine Eagle in the 2024 Lexus Melbourne Cup on Tuesday 5 November.
Blue Diamond Market Movers Trying To Defy History
A day out from acceptances, the Monday market moves in the Blue Diamond have come for two horses trying to defy recent history on several fronts, while the favourite has paid up.