Melbourne Cup Dreaming for The Map Following Romp in Queen Elizabeth II Cup

Mark Smith - Saturday May 4

Following seconds in the Group III Lord Reims Stakes and Group II Adelaide Cup, the glorious 5-year-old Alpine Eagle mare The Map rose to new heights in Saturday’s Group III Sportsbet Queen Elizabeth II Cup (2500m) at Morphettville.

The Map - Jamie Kah (image Morgan Hancock/Racing Photos)

Ridden by Jamie Kah for Dan Clarken and Oopy Macgillivray, the odd-on favourite won by a widening three and three-quarter lengths from Crimson Vine (Redwood) with First Immortal (Churchill) one and a quarter lengths back in third.

The winner of the Listed JRA Plate at Morphettville in February, The Map advances her record to eight wins, three seconds, and three thirds from 27 starts with earnings of $541,590.

“When they go out at $1.90, or whatever, you’re always relieved. Also I just love that horse and every time she does something like that, my heart explodes,” an excited Oopy Macgillivray said.

Advertisement

“She tried her heart out. I just love her.

 “Let’s hope she pulls up from this and she can go to May 18 and the Andrew Ramsden and we can get that Golden Ticket (to the Melbourne Cup).

 “The thing about the Melbourne Cup is that, especially now, it’s harder for a local horse to get in it. That’s the start. We’re nearly in it, but we keep giving ourselves that chance.

“We’ve got a fantastic ownership group. I’ve known them all a long time. They’re a lot of farmers from down at Keith and the South-East area.”

Armidale Stud consigned The Map to the 2020 Magic Millions Adelaide Yearling Sale, where Oopy MacGillivray made the final bid of $35,000.

The daughter of alpine Eagle is the best of three winners from four to race for the 9-time winning Savoire Vivre (GB) mare This Moment.

The Map a $35,000 Adelaide Magic Millions yearling

A sister to triple stakes-winner Iggimacool, This Moment had a sister to The Map in the Armidale Stud draft at the 2023 Magic Millions Tasmanian Yearling Sale. She was a $50,000 purchase for Angus River Contractors. Named On The Map, she joined her sister in the Clarken/MacGillivray stable.

After foaling another Alpine Eagle filly last spring, This Moment was covered by So You Think’s ATC Australian Derby winner, Quick Thinker.

Advertisment

Race Result - Sportsbet Queen Elizabeth II Cup Gr3 2500m

Morphettville Track: Good(4) Time: 2:43.02
1
The Map
- 5m Alpine Eagle (AUS) x This Moment (AUS) (Savoire Vivre (GB))
Tnr: D Clarken & O Macgillivray Rdr: Jamie Kah 57
2
3.7
Crimson Vine
- 4m Redwood (GB) x Margravine (AUS) (Red Ransom (USA))
Tnr: M J Seyers Rdr: Jacob Opperman 54
3
5
First Immortal
- 4g Churchill (IRE) x Storm Siren (AUS) (Excites (AUS))
Tnr: Mark & Levi Kavanagh Rdr: B Shinn 60
Churchill
4
7.7
Lake's Folly
- 7g Pierro (AUS) x Mama's Choice (AUS) (Redoute's Choice (AUS))
Tnr: Michael Hickmott Rdr: Jessica Eaton 54
5
7.7
Disagreeable Miss
- 5m Dissident (AUS) x Another Flouze (AUS) (Stratum (AUS))
Tnr: R W Huxtable Rdr: Kayla Crowther 54
6
13.3
Sharma Princess
- 4m Mongolian Khan (AUS) x Shamardal Luck (AUS) (Shamardal (USA))
Tnr: L J Cadzow Rdr: Anna Jordsjo 54
7
16
Space Equity
- 9g Equiano (FR) x Cybercyn (AUS) (Staaraq (AUS))
Tnr: L J Cadzow Rdr: D Caboche 54
8
16.3
Wolf Prince
- 5g Tivaci (AUS) x Lady Like (NZ) (Savabeel (AUS))
Tnr: Grant Young Rdr: Ben Price 54
9
16.8
Maputo
- 3g Crowded House (GB) x Buyback (AUS) (Red Ransom (USA))
Tnr: Pat Carey & Harris Walker Rdr: D Tourneur 54
More Reading...
The Melbourne Cup is on The Map for Andrew Ramsden Stakes Winner
A fortnight after her near four-length romp in the Group III Queen Elizabeth II Cup (2500m) at Morphettville, The Map reserved a spot in the 2024 Melbourne Cup with another strong staying performance in Saturday's Listed Lexus Andrew Ramsden Stakes (2800m) at Flemington.
First Season Highlights – These Guys Made an Impression
The Inglis Australian Weanling Sale gave buyers the opportunity to have a first look at the progeny of a new crop of  first season sires and the big banger of the group duly produced the highest priced baby from this cohort of sires.
Sires With Winners - Tuesday May 6
Here is the full list of 30 stallions which had winners throughout Australasia today with winners and result details.
Records Tumble at Huge Australian Weanling Sale
The most successful Inglis Australian Weanling Sale in history concluded at Riverside today with a record individual top price of $775,000 paid for a colt by Too Darn Hot (GB), a record gross and record average.
Alpine Eagle Mare The Map Dominant in JRA Plate
Fresh off an 11-week break, the 5-year-old Alpine Eagle mare, The Map, put in a career-best performance in Saturday’s Listed JRA Plate (2006m) at Morphettville.
Widden Stud Sell $775,000 Too Darn Hot Colt
Widely tipped as a likely sale-topper at the Inglis Australian Weanling Sale, the Widden Stud consigned Too Darn Hot (GB) colt from Enbihaar did not disappoint when fetching $775,000.
One to Watch – Curragh
He’s a Coolmore homebred blueblood, but sired by Darley’s champion stallion Dubawi and Officer opened his stakes account overnight at The Curragh winning the Listed Tetrarch Stakes (1m).
French Derby Contender for Godolphin
The Godolphin winning run continued in France overnight with a French Derby contender emerging in the shape of progressive Lope de Vega colt Cualificar, who is out of Fastnet Rock’s Group I Epsom Oaks winner Qualify.
Westbury Stud Announce 2025 Fees
Westbury Stud is pleased to announce the 2025 service fees for its high performing stallion roster, providing breeders with an accessible source of proven bloodlines at excellent value.
One to Watch – Kembla
Group I ATC Champagne Stakes winner Nepotism is not the only talented two year-old winner by Brutal this season that was bred and sold by Gilgai Farm.