Like many trainers, Raymond Connors has always dreamed of contesting the Gr.1 Melbourne Cup (3200m), and reality is now starting to hit home as he prepares Trav towards to coveted race in November.
The Bulls horseman has had plenty of success in New Zealand’s three feature two-mile races, with Blood Brotha winning back-to-back Gr.3 New Zealand Cups (3200m) in 2011 and 2012, before taking out the Wellington Cup in 2013 (run at Group Two-level over 2400m that year), while Trav completed the set when victorious in the Gr.2 Auckland Cup (3200m) at Ellerslie in March.
Following that win, Connors mapped out a plan to get his charge to Flemington in spring, and that campaign began at Foxton on Tuesday where Trav trialled over 1000m.
Connors was pleased with his hit-out, where he finished third over a distance far short of his best, and he believes he is on track at this part of his preparation.
“I was happy enough,” he said. “It’s early days, but at least he went alright.”
While Melbourne is the ultimate aim, Connors said Trav’s first couple of starts in New Zealand will dictate whether they press on and head across the Tasman.
“We are going to give him the opportunity and just see where it takes us. We will try and get him over there,” Connors said.
“We will give him a couple of races here and then we will head to Aussie. We will probably get him over there in early October.”
The first race on the agenda is the Gr.3 The Bart Cummings (2500m) at Flemington on October 4, with the winner gaining automatic entry into the Melbourne Cup.
While excited to have a horse capable of heading towards the iconic race, Connors has his feet firmly on the ground and is remaining realistic about the task in front of him.
“We are not getting too ahead of ourselves, but it is good to dream that way at this stage,” he said.
“We will try and get him as best we can and see if he is capable enough. He is going as good as you would hope for at this stage.”
Meanwhile, undefeated stablemate Magic Charm also made an appearance at the Foxton trials on Tuesday, having an easy hit-out over 1000m, and Connors is looking forward to heading back to the races with the son of Charm Spirit.
“We are just getting him back and hopefully get him back to the races,” Connors said. “He is a promising enough horse.”
