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...
Sires With Winners - Monday September 1
Here is the full list of 22 stallions which had winners throughout Australasia today with winners and result details.
Five Lots Announced for Tattersalls Online Barrier Trials Pop-Up Sale
Tattersalls Online, Europe’s leading online thoroughbred sales platform, will break new ground when offering for auction five lots who took part in the ITM Irish EBF Barrier Trials at Leopardstown Racecourse earlier this week. The sale which takes place on 3rd – 4th September can be viewed on the Tattersalls Online website www.tattersallsonline.com.
Vale, G1 winning horseman Tony Dennis
A member of one of New Zealand racing’s most famous and successful families has died, with the recent passing of Tony (Anthony) Dennis, aged 86.
Vale, Robert Priscott
Former Group One-winning trainer Robert Priscott has passed away.
Zoustar 7YO Chasing G1 for Cambridge Stud
South Africa will tackle the All Blacks at Eden Park on Saturday night and earlier in the day a horse named after one of their favourite sons will be vying for Group One glory down the road at Ellerslie Racecourse.
Winning Debut for Blueblood Frankel Filly
We usually associate the Mark Walker stable with the tangerine colours of Te Akau racing, but it was John Camilleri’s Fairway Thoroughbreds colours in the frame for the astute Kiwi trainer trainer at Benalla on Tuesday carried by blueblood Frankel filly Chateau Eze.
One to Watch – Ballarat
An Ole Kirk filly from a famous female family started a short priced favourite at Ballarat on Monday and duly got the cash.
2025 NZB Ready to Run Catalogue Online - World’s Most Successful 2YO Sale
The catalogue for the 2025 edition of the leading sale of two-year-olds is now online and in mailboxes, with NZB excited to unveil another stellar offering at the Ready to Run Sale.
First Foals for Lofty Strike
One of the most interesting young stallions that we saw on the recent Victorian stud tour was at Swettenham Stud and it has not taken long for the big baldy face of Lofty Strike to find it’s way on to one of his first foals.
Tara Talks Racing - We Chat with the Breeder of Raging Force
The Group III ATC San Domenico Stakes was won last Saturday by exciting Cosmic Force gelding Raging Force, so this week we’re chatting to his breeder Dr Richard McClenahan of Mullaglass Stud, who has a self-confessed ‘mare addiction’!