Son of Frankel aimed at the Melbourne Cup

Darryl Sherer - Tuesday July 17
A son of Frankel is being aimed at the 2018 Melbourne Cup by his Cup-winning owner.

Mikel Delzangles and Sheikh Fahad al Thani with Dunaden. Photo: AAPSheikh Fahad al Thani won the 2011 Melbourne Cup with Dunaden and is planning to win Australia's greatest race again.

Count Octave is owned by Qatar Racing and racing manager David Redvers said on the group website the Melbourne Cup is the goal for the proven stayer.

"Sheikh Fahad has been very fortunate to already win the Melbourne Cup but I know he would love to do so again in the colours of Qatar Racing," Redvers said.

"Count Octave has some good form that ties in with some real Group I horses, so hopefully we can get to that stage safe and sound and then the excitement can begin."

The four-year-old won at Wolverhampton at his first start this year and finished third last time out in the Queen Alexandra Stakes (2m5f) at Royal Ascot in June where he was ridden by Oisin Murphy.

A three-quarter brother to the 2011 Irish Derby winner Treasure Beach, Count Octave finished runner-up in the Group II Jockey Club Stakes over 1m4f in May and trainer Andrew Balding said will run next at York in August.

"Count Octave's likely route will be either the Lonsdale Cup or the Ebor at York," Balding said.

"It depends on where Sheikh Fahad would like to run him, with the former being the more likely.

"However, long term, the aim is the Melbourne Cup."

Advertisment
More Reading...
Tycoon Star Makes Winning Debut in G3 Maribyrnong Plate
Tycoon Star looked like the consummate professional when making a winning career debut in the Group III Darley Maribyrnong Plate (1000m) to kickstart Melbourne Cup Day at Flemington.
Kiwi Bred Grey Wins Subzero for OTI at Flemington
New Zealand-bred gelding Cloudland proved a handful for James McDonald at Flemington on Tuesday, but the champion jockey was in a forgiving mood after they had claimed top honours in the Subzero Handicap.
Rosemont and Partners Stakes Quinella on Cup Day
Written Tycoon posted his second new stakes-winner on Melbourne Cup Day when promising three year-old gelding Catoggio took out the Listed VRC Amanda Elliot Stakes (1400m)  for Rosemont Stud and partners, who also race the second horse Bosustow.
All Too Hard's Arran Bay Brave in the Furphy Plate
Phillip Stokes admitted his preference was to run Arran Bay in the Listed John Letts Cup at Morphettville but was overruled by the owners, who made the correct decision in favouring the Listed Furphy Plate (1800m) at Flemington.
Storm Boy Headed to Ireland
Coolmore have today announced via Twitter that top class Justify (USA) colt Storm Boy will be continuing his racing career in Ireland in 2025 under the care of Aidan O’Brien.
Magic Nick Strikes Again – Fastnet Rock x Galileo
The Fastnet Rock x Galileo nick has been on fire in Melbourne this spring producing Cox Plate winner Via Sistina (IRE) and leading Melbourne Cup contender Buckaroo (GB) and it struck again overnight in the UK with a brand new stakes-winner in Military Academy, who captured the Listed Floodlit Stakes (1m4f) at Kempton.
Kiwi Bred Gringotts Wins $3million Big Dance
Talented New Zealand-bred gelding Gringotts(NZ) (Per Incanto) delivered a big payday for his connections with victory in Tuesday’s A$3 million Big Dance (1600m) at Randwick.
Cup Day Stakes-Winner for So You Think
The Listed VRC TAB Trophy (1800m) for three year-olds on Cup Day at Flemington drew a competitive field of up and comers with So You Think gelding Opening Address stamping himself as a bright prospect for the future with a stylish victory.
Knight's Choice a True Underdog Story
Punters were left stunned when the Queenslander Knight's Choice and Japanese visitor Warp Speed (JPN) emerged from the pack to fight out a dramatic finish to the $8,560,000 Group 1 Lexus Melbourne Cup (3200m) at Flemington.
2024 Melbourne Cup Result - It's Knights Choice
The 2024 Melbourne Cup has been run and won with Knight’s Choice, a five-year-old gelding by Extreme Choice victorious.