Cup hopes to press claims
The Age
Wednesday October 21, 2009
INTERNATIONAL raiders from Europe and New Zealand dominate the field for today's Geelong Cup, a race that provides a lifeline to potential Melbourne Cup hopefuls, with the winner open to rehandicapping and an opportunity to climb the order of entry for the famous race.One horse that doesn't have to sweat on a penalty is Godolphin runner Crime Scene, who qualified for the Cup with victory in the group 3 St Simon Stakes at Newbury over 2400 metres in October 2007.In fact Crime Scene was also qualified for last Saturday's Caulfield Cup but the stable decided that today's race would be a more realistic target for the moderately performed eight-year-old.Even though the order of elimination indicates Crime Scene is guaranteed a Melbourne Cup berth, he would need to win or run a very good race to warrant taking his place in the field.Godolphin representative Diana Cooper is expecting a good performance from Crime Scene despite some below-average efforts in Britain this season.He finished 37 lengths behind former spring carnival tourist Mad Rush on his seasonal reappearance at Goodwood in June, then shocked punters with a $26 victory at listed level at Newbury.Crime Scene rounded off his European campaign with another Goodwood defeat, this time beaten close to 29 lengths in the group 3 Glorious Stakes."Crime Scene is in great order and he does race very well when fresh," Cooper said. "His work has been good and he races well this way around."While a good run could see Crime Scene take his place in the Melbourne Cup, nothing short of victory will assure fellow European visitor Basaltico of a Cup start, barring a significant attrition rate over the next week.Basaltico is 33rd on the elimination order and needs at least a one-kilogram penalty to elevate him into the safe range for a start in the race. Media Puzzle earned an extra 1.5 kilograms for his three-length win at Geelong in 2002, while Basaltico's stablemate Bauer received one kilogram for his one-length victory in last year's race.As well as getting him into the Cup, victory would lift the spirits of the Cumani stable that is still searching for an answer to Cima De Triomphe's inglorious performance in the Caulfield Cup. Like Cima De Triomphe, Basaltico is a product of Italy and came to the Cumani stable via Dubai in July this year. His three runs in England this season have returned mixed results but the six-year-old has shown steady improvement with each outing. "We don't know much about him at all really, we've only had him for three runs but he has improved each time he's gone around for us," said Sara Cumani.No fewer than six Kiwis will contest today's race. However just three of those horses, Wellington Cup winner Young Centaur, Auckland Cup winner Spin Around and runner-up Gallion's Reach, are likely to receive enough weight to make the Melbourne Cup field.Of the local hopes, Guyno and Cats Fun would need a 1.5-kilogram penalty to put themselves in contention for a start in the Cup.MELBOURNE CUP CONTENDERS AT GEELONGCertain starter: Crime Scene (qualified 21st)May need a 1kg penalty: Spin Around (29th), Guyno (30th), Gallion€™sReach (31st), Basaltico (33rd).May need more than 1.5kg: Cats Fun (35th), Young Centaur (37th).May need 2kg+: Arapaho Miss (42nd), Six O€™Clock News (45th),Sterling Prince (46th), Hooray (49th), Think Money (52nd), Completion(57th).Unqualified and needs 2.5kg+: Dandaad (66th), Leica Ding (67th),Golden Charmer (69th), Doubly Sure (72nd), Maestro Of Murano (80th).
© 2009 The Age
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