Appleby’s team of Aussie raiders ready to take flight

Clinton Payne - Thursday September 28

Godolphin's astute UK-based trainer Charlie Appleby could have as many as three runners in this year's Melbourne Cup as his team of four travellers prepare for their journey to Australia.

Advertisement
The impressive Francis Of Assisi winning the Queen Elizabeth Stakes at Flemington last year. Photo: Darryl Sherer

Appleby's team consists of Melbourne Cup candidates Qewy, Francis Of Assisi and Kidmenever while Folkswood is being targeted at lesser races.

All four horses completed their final pieces of work in quarantine at Moulton Paddocks overnight.

"They look fit, well and ready to jump on the plane on Thursday afternoon," Appleby told the Godolphin website.

"Qewy, Francis Of Assisi, Folkswood and Kidmenever worked well on grass and I was very pleased with them all.

"The biggest challenge now is how they take the journey but they are leaving here in good order."

Appleby has proven a punters pal since he started targeting feature Australian races last spring. In total the trainer has had 13 runners for a return of six winners, one at Group I level, four in Group III races and also a Listed victory.

He also had the second placegetter in the Caulfield Cup while Qewy ran fourth in the Melbourne Cup.

Qewy and Francis Of Assisi won a pair of races each during the spring last year with Qewy's successes coming in the Geelong Cup and Sandown Cup while France Of Assisi claimed the Bendigo Cup and the Queen Elizabeth Stakes.

Their two travelling companions this year Folkswood, finished second in two Group races - the Group I Jebel Hatta (1800m) in Dubai earlier this year and the Group III Earl Of Sefton Stakes (1800m) at Newmarket while Kidmenever placed in Listed grade in the UK in his last two starts over 2000m.

"We will probably look at having another crack at the Group III Geelong Cup with Qewy before going for the Group I Emirates Melbourne Cup again," Appleby said.

"Francis Of Assisi holds an entry in the Group I Caulfield Cup and he will also be entered in the Group II Herbert Power Stakes along with Kidmenever.

"We will look at the Caulfield Stakes for Folkswood, although he could go for the Listed Cranbourne Cup instead.

"Qewy and Francis Of Assisi are the two contenders for the Emirates Melbourne Cup as things stand. Kidmenever has to go and win beforehand if he is to get a racing weight for the big race."

Frances Of Assisi is a $26 chance for the Melbourne Cup with Kidmenever at $51 and Qewy at $67.

Advertisment
More Reading...
Inglis Ready 2 Race Entries Open
Entries for the Inglis Ready2Race Sale – Australasia’s most progressive 2YO Sale – are now open.
Breeding To Win - 2025 G1 Queensland Oaks
Unbeaten this preparation, Philia will be looking to emulate her half-sister Duais in winning the $1million Group I BRC Queensland Oaks (2200m) on Saturday, but a swarm of up and comers are nipping at her heels, so who are they?
New Winner for Bivouac
Godolphin have been  enjoying a winning run with their late season juveniles and it continued at Geelong on Thursday where Bivouac gelding Loving opened his account.
Sires With Winners - Friday June 6
Here is the full list of 31 stallions which had winners throughout Australasia today with winners and result details.
Another Day, Another Stakes-Winner for Wootton Bassett
A homebred for Marc Chan, quality Wootton Bassett (GB) colt Green Impact closed out his juvenile season winning the Group II Champions Juvenile Stakes at Leopardstown and he bounced back into the winner’s list at the same venue overnight.
A Passion That Lasts a Lifetime
A passion for pedigrees and thoroughbreds is often one that lasts a lifetime and so it has been for one of the co-breeders of Bravery, who contacted me this week following our earlier and very well read story on current 2YO star Cool Archie.
SWs in foal to Wootton Bassett and Snitzel headline the June (Early) Online Sale
Stakes winners in foal to Wootton Bassett and Snitzel, along with a significant number of young, well-bred racing and breeding prospects headline another intriguing catalogue for the Inglis Digital June (Early) Online Sale.
Sires With Winners - Thursday June 5
Here is the full list of 36 stallions which had winners throughout Australasia today with winners and result details.
North Pacific 2YO Ready to Win
Byerley Park trainer Steven Cole will head to Ellerslie with a quartet of runners on Saturday, and he is particularly upbeat about the chances of Pacific Breeze in the Network Visuals 1200.
Juvenile Trial Watch – Rosehill
There were six heats for juveniles at Rosehill on Friday that featured some interesting winners including stakes-placed filly Horseshoe Hill, a couple of unraced youngsters by Zoustar and the highest priced yearling by Prague.