Group Two-winning stayer Trav’s (NZ) (Almanzor) Melbourne Cup preparation may not have gone to plan, but trainer Raymond Connors has swiftly turned his attention to another Cup target.
Following his heroics in the Gr.2 Auckland Cup (3200m) earlier this year, Connors set his sights on Australasia’s most coveted prize but just came up short in making the final field for last month’s Gr.1 Melbourne Cup (3200m) following three unplaced runs in Victoria over spring.
While disappointed in Trav’s performances, Connors said he still enjoyed the experience.
“It would have been great if he had gone better, but it was a good experience and it was good to see how it all operates over there,” he said.
Connors has returned to New Zealand where he has immediately set about targeting Trav towards next month’s Gr.1 NZ Campus Of Innovation & Sport Wellington Cup (3200m) at Trentham, a race he finished fourth in last year and stable predecessor Blood Brotha won in 2013.
Trav will commence his journey towards the two-mile feature in Saturday’s Gr.3 Humphries Construction Manawatu Cup (2300m) at Trentham, where Connors hopes to get a good line on his charge.
“He has been ticking over,” Connors said. “We will try and get him to the Wellington Cup and this will be a stepping-stone and we will just see how he performs.
“He will possibly have one more run into the Wellington Cup.”
Trav is currently a $7.50 fourth favourite with TAB bookmakers for Saturday, in a market headed by Atmospheric (NZ) (El Roca) at $4.50.
The Bulls trainer will also head to Trentham with Magic Charm (NZ) (Charm Spirit), who will be looking to recapture form in the Stringfellows 1400.
“Magic Charm has been pretty disappointing,” Connors said. “He works well at home but he has been disappointing on raceday.
“Hopefully the blinkers will turn him around a bit. He will need to show something on Saturday.”