Emma-Lee Browne says they will likely take a little bit of time to savour Basilinna’s (NZ) (Staphanos) Listed Andrew Ramsden Stakes (2800m) win before looking to lock down the right pathway for the mare to this year’s Gr.1 Melbourne Cup (3200m).
Basilinna earned herself a ballot exemption into this year’s Melbourne Cup with her victory in Saturday’s Andrew Ramsden at Flemington in rain-affected conditions.
“I think it’s everything we all dreamed about, so it’s a massive result for the team,” Browne said on Sunday of qualifying Basilinna for the Cup.
Browne, who trains at Pakenham in partnership with husband David, confirmed the mare would head for a spell now she has gained the golden ticket into the Melbourne Cup, as they aim towards a dream tilt at the famous race on the first Tuesday in November.
“She will go to the paddock now,” Browne said.
“I think we’ll just enjoy it for a week or so before sitting down and really getting a plan together about how we can get her there as best we can, where she’s hopefully right at her peak.
“We’ll just enjoy it for a week, and she can go out to the paddock and enjoy a well-deserved spell.
“I think we’ll do a bit of research into it, speak to a few people that have obviously done it well and make a bit of a plan from there. But we’re just kind of enjoying it at the moment.”
Browne said Basilinna, who finished third in the Gr.1 VRC Oaks (2500m) at Flemington during her three-year-old season in the spring of 2023, had come through Saturday’s win in super fashion.
“She loves that distance and because she enjoys running over that distance she always pulls up super afterwards,” Browne said.
“The (Soft) track conditions were perfect for her, she got through it really, really well. And we’re just over the moon with how she’s pulled up.”