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...
One to Watch – Seymour
The Autumn Sun is riding high following a brilliant Group I MRC Caulfield Guineas win for his top class son Autumn Boy and he featured on Sunday with a promising three year-old filly that might be looking towards spring Black Type.
Pedigree Watch G1- Kiwi Flavour, Double Danehill, Winx Conqueror Beats Her Again!
Exciting spring racing continued at Caulfield on Saturday with three Group I races all won by first time G1 winners and there was a distinct Kiwi flavour in the air with all of them featuring the mighty Zabeel in their pedigree.
Sires With Winners - Sunday October 12
Here is the full list of 61 stallions which had winners throughout Australasia today with winners and result details.
Twain wins G3 Sweynesse Stakes
It seemed as though it would be only a matter of time before Twain added a stakes victory to his name and the rising star did just that at Rotorua on Sunday, powering late to take out the Gr.3 Sweynesse Stakes (1215m).
Yulong Bounce Back with G1 2YO Colt
It’s been a challenging few weeks in Australia for the Yulong team with the defeat of their star performers Treasurethe Moment, Via Sistina (IRE) and Vinrock, while Everest contender Private Harry also faded out of the picture, but in the UK overnight their colours were back in a G1 winning vein aboard Gewan.
Doubtland 2YO Lights Up Ascot
Perth turned on a perfect warm spring afternoon as a backdrop to the much anticipated opening day of Ascot's 2025/26 racing season and winter well and truly banished, a festive crowd turned out in celebratory mood.
Winning Debut for Expensive Satono Aladdin
Promising colt Yamato Satona made an impressive start to his racing career at Arawa Park on Sunday, kicking off a winning treble for his trainers Lance O’Sullivan and Andrew Scott.
Inglis Ready 2 Race - Half-Brother by Stay Inside to Transatlantic Selling Thursday
An Easter graduate victorious in a G1, an Inglis Digital star winning a $1.5m race and a monumental pedigree update ahead of Thursday’s Ready2Race Sale at Riverside.
Five Wins Straight - Walsh Bay Wins Queensland Cup for Munce
Progressive Deep Field mare Walsh Bay has built an impressive picket fence of wins in Brisbane this year winning six of seven starts in 2025 and her last five in a row culminating with a Black Type victory in the $160,000 Listed BRC Queensland Cup (2400m) at Eagle Farm on Saturday.
Glamour WA Filly Winning Return
She was WA's champion juvenile of last season with her Gimcrack/ Karrakatta double, and Talkanco (I'm All The Talk) picked up right where she left off with a barnstorming win in the Max Simmonds Stakes on opening day at Ascot.