2016 Melbourne Cup More Likely for Forever Now

September 21, 2015

2016 Melbourne Cup More Likely for Forever Now

One of the lightly weighted European entries for the world’s richest handicap at Flemington this November, Forever Now is more likely to be saved for the Melbourne Cup 2016 with the stayer instead targeting a Newmarket run at home this season.

The now Martyn Meade-trained Galileo stallion is a Northern Hemisphere four-year-old who has won two from 10 to date, most recently the Listed March Stakes (2816m) at Goodwood in August last year when still prepared by ace horseman John Gosden.

Since then he has been competitive in a number of staying features including his third to Mizzou in the Group 3 Sagaro Stakes (3219m) at Ascot back in April and a fourth to Vent de Force over the same distance in the Group 3 Henry II Stakes at Sandown in late May.

At his latest start Forever Now was eighth past the post beaten four lengths by Ed Dunlop’s fellow Melbourne Cup nominated hope Trip To Paris in the Group 1 Ascot Gold Cup (4023m) when carrying 57kg on June 18.

The Ascot Cup run was his last for Gosden, who has saddled-up just one Melbourne Cup hope over the years, before being transferred to Meade’s care at Newmarket following his sale to Sheikh Mohammed Bin Khaalifa’s Essafinaat operation from Lady Bamford.

Also part of the new team of connections is Australia’s David Caddy, which is another reason the Melbourne Cup is an attractive target for the lightly-raced stallion.

Despite being allocated just 51kg for the $6.2 million Group 1 Emirates Melbourne Cup (3200m) at Flemington Racecourse on the first Tuesday of November, connections of Forever Now are instead looking at the famous race in a further 12 months when the horse has matured further according to Racing Victoria.

“I think we will probably run him at Newmarket next week and see how he goes, get a bit more of a feel for him, then decide what we do from there,” Meade said.

“Obviously he’s in the Melbourne Cup but it is more likely we’ll look at that next year. We’ve not had him very long and it would be a bit of a hurry. We’re thrilled to bits with him, though, and looking forward to see him run.”

The Newmarket run is the Listed Jockey Club Bowl (3200m) this Thursday, which is the last day the second contingent of European gallopers can entre quarantine ahead of a Melbourne Spring Racing Carnival raid.

The Jockey Club Bowl, contested over the same distance as the Melbourne Cup, could also feature other possible Down Under-bound hopefuls including the Andrew Balding-trained Havana Beat and Mark Johnston’s Oriental Fox.

Both Teofilo six-year-old Havana Beat, who was third in the Group 2 Yorkshire Cup (2816m) behind Snow Sky back in mid-May, and in-form veteran Oriental Fox are 51kg light weights for the ‘race that stops a nation’.

Havana Beat’s recent form has left a lot to be desired, including an eighth on September 11 when beaten nearly 12 lengths in the Group 2 Doncaster Cup (3621m) and as such only pays $67 in futures Melbourne Cup odds.

Oriental Fox is a Southern Hemisphere eight-year-old but his form is spot on of late with a second in the Group 2 Prix Kergorlay (3000m) on August 23, the form of which has stacked up in recent Melbourne Cups, and his last start third at Longchamp in a Group 3 over 3100m.

Far from a confirmed runner in Australia this season though, Oriental Fox is a $101 roughie for the Melbourne Cup.

Current all-in Melbourne Cup odds at Ladbrokes.com.au are firmly led by Japan’s Fame Game ($8), allocated 57kg which is a weight no Melbourne Cup winner has carried in over 30 years, while Forever Now is installed as a $41 chance.

To check out the full markets and back your early favourites from Australia and abroad at the hottest odds, visit Ladbrokes.com.au now!

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