The first two international raiders to have arrived in Melbourne for the Spring Carnival, the John Moore-trained Hong Kong duo Silver Grecian and Mighty High, will make their Australia race debuts at Caulfield this Saturday.
Of the pair, Silver Grecian is the headline runner this weekend as they prepare to be saddled up for the meeting’s feature event, the $350,000 Group 1 Sir Rupert Clarke Stakes (1400m).
The stunning grey Haafhd stallion was last seen winning the HK$1.4million Sha Tin Mile Trophy (1600m) at home in July when ridden by Hong Kong-based Australian jockey Darren Beadman.
Beadman has made the trip over to partner Silver Grecian throughout their spring carnival assault, starting on Saturday in the Sir Rupert Clarke.
Despite a crack field of contenders including boom colt Smart Missile, last-start Sebring Sprint winner Master Of Design and Rob Heathcote’s in-form Brisbane galloper Woorim, connections are confident Silver Grecian will be a competitive force and a nice horse to back through Luxbet for the Sir Rupert Clarke on Saturday.
2012 Melbourne Cup Odds
Futures all-in betting showing top 24 horses.
“I’m expecting a huge run from Silver Grecian, George Moore, son of trainer John, said.
“I would not be surprised if he won.
“He was a champion two-year-old in Europe and Dad has just given him time.
“He took time to come around, but he really hit form towards the end of season.”
Moore also reported that since arriving down under both Silver Grecian and Mighty High had done terrifically, but it was the former who was really impressing him.
“I haven’t seen him work this well,” Moore said.
“He really wants to gallop and in his work on Monday he had another gear there.
“He’s loving it here, having a pick of grass every afternoon and morning and graze.
“It’s a completely different environment to Hong Kong.
“They’re (Silver Grecian and Mighty High) super happy and I’m happy.”
Respected horseman John Moore has plans to target the $1 million Group 1 Emirates Stakes (1600m) at Flemington on the final day of the coveted Melbourne Cup Carnival, Saturday November 5 with Silver Grecian.
Meanwhile Peintre Celebre five-year-old Mighty High will kick off their ambitious Caulfield – Melbourne Cups campaign in a $70,000 Handicap over 1700 metres on Saturday.
Another horse with a nice association with ace hoop Beadman, Mighty High comes to Australia on the back of a thrilling final-stride victory in the HK$8million Chater Cup (2400m) win a Sha Tin on May 29.
Saturday’s race is likely to be a little short of the stayer’s liking, their shortest-distanced win over a 14-start career to date being 1800 metres, but Moore is looking to see improvement as they progress through the spring.
Mighty High was yesterday one of 80 second acceptors for the $2.5 million Group 1 Caulfield Cup (2400m) on October 15, and is guaranteed a spot in the 2011 Caulfield Cup final field sitting equal eighth on the latest order of entry.
Caulfield Cup betting at Luxbet has Mighty High rated a $41 chance, a price that is likely to firm should they put in a nice performance on Saturday.
The iconic $6.2 million Group 1 Melbourne Cup (3200m) at Flemington on Tuesday November 1 is also on the spring agenda for Mighty High.
In the latest 2011 Melbourne Cup ballot order Mighty High sits in 12th position and is paying a generous $41 in the Luxbet Melbourne Cup 2011 odds.
To get behind the Hong Kong horses this Saturday, or to back Mighty High at their juicy odds in the futures Cups betting, head to Luxbet today.
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