2014 Melbourne Cup Dream for WJ McKell Winner La Amistad

May 26, 2014

2014 Melbourne Cup Dream for WJ McKell Winner La Amistad

Dreams of emulating their older three-quarter sister Makybe Diva with a Melbourne Cup win were ignited over the weekend when the Michael, Wayne & John Hawkes-trained La Amistad won the $100,000 Listed WJ McKell Cup (2400m).

La Amistad

La Amistad could be 2014 Melbourne Cup bound after her WJ McKell Cup win in Sydney. Photo: Steve Hart.

Blue pedigree mare La Amistad broke through at stakes level at Royal Randwick on Saturday, the four-year-old daughter of Redoute’s Choice out of Riverman mare Tugela winning the 2014 WJ McKell Cup by a blistering four lengths.

Taking her record to five wins and two minor placings from 11 starts, La Amistad has well and truly entered calculations for the $6.2 million Group 1 Emirates Melbourne Cup (3200m) at Flemington on the first Tuesday of November.

The world’s richest handicap is a race her iconic relation Makybe Diva holds the record of three consecutive wins in after dominating the spring feature from 2003 – 2005.

While still unsure whether La Amistad is of the same class, the lightly-raced galloper went a long way to proving she boasted some of that same scintillating staying ability with her easy WJ McKell triumph.

“She will make her own path,” Hall of Famer John Hawkes told The Australian.

“We will give her a break now and she will be better in the spring and even better next autumn.

“She is a lovely mare to deal with but we won’t be getting too carried away just yet.

“This was an important win because it gets her rating up so she can compete in better races.”

Ridden by Kiwi expat James McDonald the up-and-comer beat home the Joe Pride-trained Destiny’s Kiss ($3.80) saluting as the $2.80 favourite after coming from near last while the Chris Waller-trained Secessio ($10) was a further one and a quarter lengths away in third.

While Team Hawkes were keeping Melbourne Cup emotions in check, McDonald was more excited over the spring potential of La Amistad.

“That was exciting,” he exclaimed post-win on Saturday.

“I have her one around the backside and she just took off.”

La Amistad currently sits as a $31 chance in pre-nomination Melbourne Cup odds at Ladbrokes.com.au where The Offer is firm early favourite at $13.

Gai Waterhouse’s Montjeu gelding earned top spot in Melbourne Cup betting after winning three straight in Sydney this autumn including their big four length effort in the Group 1 Sydney Cup (3200m) also run over the two miles like it’s Flemington counterpart.

La Amistad’s part-owner Michael Sullivan, former Sportingbet chief executive, was definitely dreaming the Melbourne Cup dream but indicated that patience would be key.

“I would be lying if I said it wasn’t,” Sullivan said.

“It might be too big to dream and it will be up to her trainer.

“We have been very patient with this mare because she is so closely related to Makybe Diva.

“It is just wonderful to see her win the way she did.”

To get behind La Amistad at her current juicy Melbourne Cup price head to our preferred online bookmaker Ladbrokes.com.au where you’ll find all the top futures odds for the upcoming Group 1 races.

Racing fields and data are copyright 2011-2021 © Racing Australia Pty Ltd (RA) (and other parties working with it).
Racing materials, including fields, form and results, is subject to copyright which is owned by RA and other parties working with it. Full copyright notice.

Spring Racing

Military Mission Fires in 2023...

Zipping Classic 2023 Field �...

Zipping Classic 2023 Field & Odds Update: Vow And Declare Defends Title

Danny O’Brien’s 2019 Melbourne Cup winner Vow And Declare continues to show a...

Overpass Heads 2023 Winterbott...

Overpass Heads 2023 Winterbottom Stakes Field & Betting Markets

Bjron Baker’s The Everest performer Overpass is tipped to return to winning...

Osipenko Leads The Gong 2023 R...

Osipenko Leads The Gong 2023 Race Field & Betting

The Chris Waller-trained Pierro four-year-old Osipenko is firm favourite in...

2023 Railway Stakes Field ...

2023 Railway Stakes Field & Betting Update: Tuvalu Narrow Favourite

The Lindsey Smith-trained top-weight Tuvalu is narrow favourite in the latest...

Horse Racing Today

2024 The Galaxy Results: Zapat...

Golden Slipper Results 2024: L...

Golden Slipper Results 2024: Lady Of Camelot Beats Coleman, Storm Boy Third

Co-trainer Gai Waterhouse extended her record to eight victories in the 2024...

2024 George Ryder Stakes Winne...

2024 George Ryder Stakes Winner Veight Beats Older Rivals

Veight joined an elite list of three-year-olds to beat home the older horses...

Rosehill Guineas 2024 Results:...

Rosehill Guineas 2024 Results: Riff Rocket Flies Home Late Ahead of ATC Derby

Chris Waller’s VRC Derby winner from the spring, Riff Rocket, now has the...

2024 Ranvet Stakes Results: Vi...

2024 Ranvet Stakes Results: Via Sistina Too Good Debuting for Waller

Yu Long Investments lucrative European purchase, the now Chris Waller-trained...

Race Results

2024 The Galaxy Results: Zapateo Upsets Sunshine In Paris

Golden Slipper Results 2024: Lady Of Camelot Beats Coleman, Storm Boy Third

Imperatriz Defends Title in 2024 William Reid Stakes

2024 George Ryder Stakes Winner Veight Beats Older Rivals

Rosehill Guineas 2024 Results: Riff Rocket Flies Home Late Ahead of ATC Derby

Race Previews

UK Raider Post Impressionist Heads Tancred Stakes Field & Odds

2024 Australian Cup Field & Betting Update: Pride Of Jenni v Mr Brightside

Golden Slipper 2024 Tips & Betting Update

The Galaxy 2024 Race Field & Odds: Ozzmosis Leads Betting on Slipper Day Sprint

2024 Rosehill Guineas Field & Betting Update: Riff Rocket Set to Take Off

Fields & Form

UK Raider Post Impressionist Heads Tancred Stakes Field & Odds

2024 Australian Cup Field & Betting Update: Pride Of Jenni v Mr Brightside

Golden Slipper 2024 Tips & Betting Update

The Galaxy 2024 Race Field & Odds: Ozzmosis Leads Betting on Slipper Day Sprint

2024 Rosehill Guineas Field & Betting Update: Riff Rocket Set to Take Off