First the Loch Ness Monster, now the Melbourne Cup?

Ben Dorries - Sunday October 15

Scotland has had Braveheart and the Loch Ness Monster but has never had a runner in Melbourne's spring racing carnival.

Advertisement
Nakeeta will be more famous in Scotland than the Loch Ness monster if Iain Jardine's stayer wins the Melbourne Cup

Until now.

Draped in the British Union Jack, the Iain Jardine trained Nakeeta arrived in Melbourne on Saturday and is likely to do some light work at Werribee on Monday morning.

Nakeeta, a $41 Melbourne Cup prospect, won the Ebor Handicap in August and is aiming to plot a similar path to last year's Ebor winner Heartbreak City.

Heartbreak City came within a neck of winning the Melbourne Cup last year when the Irish gelding ran second behind Almandin.

Jardine told the Daily Mail in the UK he had taken heart from Heartbreak City's huge performance in the 2016 Melbourne Cup.

"Heartbreak City nearly won the Melbourne Cup last year, we have the same weight (53kg) and we won the Ebor in a slightly faster time," Jardine said.

Nakeeta, the first horse trained in Scotland set to compete in the spring carnival, was one of five international horses that arrived in Melbourne on Saturday. The other four were Irish gallopers.

Joining Nakeeta at Racing Victoria's Werribee International Horse Centre were the Joseph O'Brien trained duo US Army Ranger and Rekindling, as well as Willie Mullins' pair Max Dynamite and Thomas Hobson.

Rekindling, owned by Lloyd Williams, will be the first spring carnival runner for O'Brien who is the son of Aidan O'Brien.

Aidan O'Brien had a good day on Saturday with Irish horse Johannes Vermeer zooming into Caulfield and Melbourne Cup contention with a fast finishing second behind Gailo Chop in the Group I Ladbrokes Stakes.

The latest crop of internationals will do some light work on Monday but nothing serious until next week.

Advertisment
More Reading...
$540,000 Colt a New Record for Harry Angel
Harry Angel (IRE) is one of those stallions that sneaks up on you, a shuttle stallion that arrives with little fanfare, just one of many at Darley and then slowly sets about building his reputation and at Inglis Classic on Monday he achieved his best ever sale result in Australia.
She’s Back with a Win!
Flashy Trapeze Artist mare She’s an Artist is an eye-catcher, not just for her considerable talent, but also for her abundant bling and she was able to overcome difficulties to score a determined first up win at Caulfield on Monday.
$325,000 for Three-Quarter Brother to G1 Winner Skybird
A year ago at Flemington this Saturday, brilliant sprinter Skybird scored a dominant win in the Group I VRC Lightning Stakes and at the Inglis Classic Sale on Monday HP Thoroughbreds sold her three-quarter brother by Pierro for $325,000.
Sires With Winners - Monday February 9
Here is the full list of 22 stallions which had winners throughout Australasia today with winners and result details.
$380,000 Home Affairs Filly Sold by Mullaglass Stud
Mullaglass Stud have had some great results at Inglis Classic over the last few days and produced a lovely Home Affairs filly to fetch $380,000 on Tuesday.
SH Session Confirmed for Tattersalls Online February Sale in Collaboration with Inglis
Tattersalls Online has announced a dedicated Southern Hemisphere Session within its Online February Sale, to be held on Tuesday 17th – Wednesday 18th February, in collaboration with leading Australian auction house Inglis Digital.
Kiwi Bred Ghaiyyath Colt Sells for $625,000
Group I Kiwi vendors Wentwood Grange came to Inglis Classic with a select draft of four including two youngsters from the same female family that were both offered on Tuesday and the first, an Anamoe filly from Valley Girl made $200,000, while the second was a colt by Ghaiyyath (IRE) that made $625,000.
$540,000 Brother to Stretan Angel Tops Inglis Classic Day 2
A brother to G2 winner Stretan Angel topped Day 2 of the Classic Yearling Sale, realising a to-date sale high $540,000.
Tara Talks Racing - 2YOs Are They Any Good?
This week we're talking two year-olds, four new juvenile stakes-winners last Saturday, but are any of them much good? Also Godolphin and their embarrassment of riches in the 3YO department.
Small Price, Big Performance: Sharma Princess Rewards Astute Buying
Stories of remarkable value are part of thoroughbred racing folklore, but every so often a horse emerges that perfectly captures the opportunity within the digital bloodstock marketplace.