Soul of Spain leads potential five-horse Melbourne Cup Day team
New Zealand syndicators Go Racing are looking forward to a significant Melbourne Cup Day, with Soul of Spain preparing for Tuesday’s Gr.1 Lexus Melbourne Cup (3200m) at Flemington. Go Racing representative Matt Allnutt says the Chris Waller-trained stayer is progressing well, while Nobler, Pariah Pearl, Graffiti Tycoon and Night Wolf could give the syndicator five runners across Australia and New Zealand.
“We’re happy with how Soul of Spain has performed,” Allnutt said. “They went at a very slow pace in the Caulfield Cup, and Tyler Schiller elected to get going from the 900-metre mark. He headed the field at the bend and stuck on gamely. He had to sustain a long run, and hopefully the Melbourne Cup unfolds in a way that allows him to settle and use his staying ability.”
Soul of Spain’s recent work has provided further encouragement. “He worked well again this morning and is relaxing nicely,” Allnutt said. “He recently galloped over 1600 metres on the course proper and breezed up nicely over the last 400 metres. It was a good piece of work. He will have another gallop on Saturday before heading to the Cup on Tuesday, and hopefully we get a good barrier draw and conditions to suit.”
Purchased by Go Racing in partnership with Blandford Bloodstock’s Stuart Boman for €160,000 at the 2023 Arqana Breeze Up Sale, Soul of Spain began his career with Joseph O’Brien in Ireland before joining Waller. His Australian success includes four consecutive wins culminating in the Gr.3 Newcastle Gold Cup, underlining the potential of Go Racing’s international buying and development strategy.
Nobler, another purchase made in partnership with Blandford Bloodstock, is also being aimed towards Flemington, having won four of his last five starts and finished second in the other. “He has been a brilliant purchase and has given his owners a tremendous run,” Allnutt said. “That record speaks for itself, and a Melbourne Cup Day appearance would be a fitting reward.” Pariah Pearl could join him on the undercard, bringing a win and a second from her last two starts. “She’s racing in great form and seems to be really enjoying herself,” Allnutt said. “She is putting that enthusiasm into her performances, and it would be lovely to give her owners the opportunity to see her compete at Flemington while she is going so well.”
At Randwick, Go Racing are looking towards an appearance from last-start winner Graffiti Tycoon, who followed that performance with a pleasing group trial last week. “He is a very talented horse, and we think he has the ability to go places,” Allnutt said. “It was good to see him win his last start, and he trialled very nicely last week. There is plenty to look forward to with him, and we’re keen to see him continue progressing.”
Night Wolf could complete the team at Ellerslie, where connections hope he can turn a promising build-up into a winning performance. “He’s knocking on the door, and his work at home has been very good,” Allnutt said. “Hopefully he gets his opportunity on Tuesday. It would be particularly enjoyable to have a winner at home while our owners are following the Australian runners.”
With potential representation at Flemington, Randwick and Ellerslie, Melbourne Cup Day is shaping as a busy occasion for Go Racing and its owners. “To have Soul of Spain heading towards the Cup is exciting in itself, but potentially having five runners across the afternoon gives a lot of our owners something to look forward to,” Allnutt said. “There is still some planning to finalise, but hopefully they all arrive in good order and give their owners a day to remember.”