Gr.1 Melbourne Cup (3200m) dreams are still alive for connections of Kiwi stayers Mark Twain and Trav.
Both horses were paid up for the $A10 million Flemington showpiece at Monday’s third declarations stage.
The Roger James and Robert Wellwood-trained Mark Twain will have his final lead-up run in Wednesday’s $A500,000 Gr.3 Bendigo Cup (2400m).
“On his wellbeing and his work, I’d be extremely disappointed if he didn’t run a bold race,” James said.
“I’d like him to win or be unlucky in the running and fill a placing, getting home fairly quickly.”
Should Shocking six-year-old gelding Mark Twain do that, James is keen to press on into the Melbourne Cup with his charge currently poised at 25th on the order of entry.
“It’s no use just making up the numbers but it’s a great race if you go into it in form,” James said.
“Unfortunately, his form on raceday is not backing up how well I feel he is. He’s got the odd excuse. He’s been trapped wide and had hard runs but really he’s got to step up.”
Mark Twain secured a golden ticket into last year’s Melbourne Cup when he won the Listed Roy Higgins Stakes (2600m) at Flemington, but a tendon injury cruelly ruled him out of the spring.
However, it was a performance that still fuels James’ optimism for a turnaround in Mark Twain’s form just eight days out from the Cup.
“When he won the Roy Higgins over here last year, he ran off at the first turn and ended up three lengths last, so it was a phenomenal effort,” James said.
“He’s been a gem to take away. A lot of people back home in New Zealand wouldn’t realise what we take on when we bring one horse across. Taking on the might and power of some of these big stables is a huge task. Melbourne racing in the spring, I’ve always said, is the toughest in Australasia and it’s proving that again this spring.”
Bulls trainer Raymond Connors will need some attrition from his rivals as he prepares Trav for the first Tuesday in November.
The Gr.2 Auckland Cup (3200m) winner sits at 29th on the latest order of entry after he could only finish ninth in last Friday’s Gr.2 Moonee Valley Gold Cup (2500m) won by Onesmoothoperator.
“He had to make a big run, but he wasn’t quite up to,” Connors said after the race.
Connors wasn’t convinced Trav would be among the latest declarations but noted there were key points in his favour.
“Flemington is a different track and the distance suits,” he said.
Should Trav fail to make the Melbourne Cup field, the $A250,000 Australian Heritage Cup (2800m) looks a likely backup assignment.