Trainer Darren Weir said a decent barrier made all the difference to Amelie's Star who won her way into the Melbourne Cup with victory in Saturday's Group III The Bart Cummings (2500m) at Flemington.
"Just goes to show you what a difference a barrier makes," Weir said after Amelie's Star came away under Damian Lane over the concluding stages to defeat leader Granddukeoftuscany ($91) by two lengths with Kelstorm ($51) making headway in the home straight for third, a short head away.
"We got the bad barrier last start in the Naturalism (Stakes) and had to go back and got into a position where it was just mathematically impossible to win.
"Today she was able to settle in the first half and she got the best run in the race and that resulted in the win.''
Amelie's Star plays a starring role in The Bart Cummings. #RacingLivepic.twitter.com/TNtPaA9Voc
— Racing.com (@Racing) October 7, 2017
Victory in the Bart Cummings assures Amelie's Star a place in the Melbourne Cup and Weir said he will now have to plan a way to Australia's most famous race with the daughter of Testa Rossa.
"We always thought that stepping up in trip today was going to suit her and it's great that she's got the start in the Cup," Weir said.
"I hadn't really thought about how to get her there - it's a good problem to have I guess.
"She's had a beautiful preparation but she'll have to run somewhere between now and then, we'll just have to map out what we do.
"She's got lots and lots of miles in her legs and we just need to get things right between now and the Melbourne Cup."
Almandin started the easing $2.20 favourite and after settling worse than midfield made some late ground to be beaten 3 1/2-lengths into fourth without ever looking likely to win.
Amelie's Star is now an $11 chance for the Melbourne Cup with Sportsbet.
