breednet.com.au

Kiwi Cup Contender Headed to Australia

Media Release - Monday September 22

Melbourne Cup aspirant Trav secured his plane ticket across the Tasman with a pleasing performance over 2100m at Ellerslie on Saturday.

It was the Bulls gelding’s first appearance at the Auckland track since winning the Gr.2 Auckland Cup (3200m) on Champions Day in March, and his run was very similar to that triumphant performance.

Gr.2 Auckland Cup (3200m) winner Trav will fly to Melbourne next week. Photo: Kenton Wright (Race Images)

Reuniting with Cup-winning hoop Masa Hashizume, Trav settled at the rear of the field, where he enjoyed an economical passage before being presented wide at the turn where he once again showed a good turn of foot to eat into the frontrunners’ lead to finish fourth, just three-quarters of a length off winner Diamond Jak.

Trainer, co-breeder and co-owner Raymond Connors was pleased with the run and said it has given him the confidence to press on with his Gr.1 Melbourne Cup (3200m) plans.

“We were happy enough with the way he went,” Connors said.

“He seems to have come through it alright, so I think we will have to have a go now and carry on with the plan and see where we end up.”

The six-year-old son of Almanzor currently sits in 53rd place in order of entry for the Melbourne Cup, with an allocated weight of 51kg, and two Melbourne Cup ballot-exempt races are now firmly in the crosshairs.

Advertisement

“We have pencilled in for him to fly over next week,” Connors said.

“We will start him in The Bart Cummings (Gr.3, 2500m, at Flemington on October 4), see how he goes and make a decision after that.

“It is a big step up over there obviously.”

Trav will likely be joined in the race by fellow New Zealand-trained Melbourne Cup aspirants Mark Twain and (Mister) Wolfgang, who currently sit 46th and 47th in order of entry, while Te Awamutu mare La Crique is already assured of a start in 14th place, with an allocated weight of 54.5kg.

Connors is hoping for a strong performance from Trav in his opening Australian assignment, and if he performs up to expectations, he will be given another chance at gaining an automatic spot in the Melbourne Cup in the Gr.3 Geelong Cup (2400m) on October 22.

“There are obviously plenty of options for him over there, but If he runs well, the Geelong Cup is his next target most likely,” he said. – LOVERACING.NZ News Desk

Advertisment
More Reading...
Aussie Mare Youngstar Produces Rising Japanese Staying Star Eri King
Australian Group I winning half-sisters Youngstar and Funstar are both at stud in Japan and the former has a very smart three year-old colt in Eri King, who won the Group II Kobe Shimbun Hai (2400m) at Hanshin on Sunday.
Almanzor's Trav Noses Out Waller Raider in Auckland Cup
Raymond Connors’ green and red colours will forever be known for six victories in the Great Northern Steeplechase (6400m) at Ellerslie between 1998 and 2019, but the respected Manawatu horseman returned to Auckland on Saturday and took the spoils in another major test of stamina.
2025 National Thoroughbred Week Launched
National Thoroughbred Week, the newly launched industry initiative designed to bring the public closer to the thoroughbred and our sport, is excited to confirm a truly trans-Tasman exposure, with hosts confirmed across all Australian and New Zealand regions.
Breednet Follow the Official Sydney 2YO Trials - 1- 3
All 2YO heats this morning run at Randwick over 850m with these trials the key factor in deciding fields for the Group III ATC Breeders Plate and Gimcrack Stakes in two weeks time.
Career Best Victory for Wentwood Grange Favourite Yearling
Dean Hawkins admits to shedding a tear or two when With Your Blessing was sold as a yearling.
Home Affairs 2YOs Shine at Official Sydney Trials
I Am Invincible’s exciting young sire son Home Affairs was the talk of the town after the yearling sales this year when his progeny topped both Magic Millions and Inglis Easter and at Randwick on Monday morning he had two runners at the official 2YO trials and both of them came out winners.
Keeneland September Concludes with Record $531.5 Million in Sales
The 2025 Keeneland September Yearling Sale closed Saturday having achieved a defining industry milestone. Over 12 sessions, the sale rewrote records by selling 3,070 horses for a total of $531.5 million: the highest gross ever realized at a Thoroughbred auction worldwide. Historic highlights included 56 yearlings bringing seven figures, besting the previous record of 40 set in 2005 and led by a $3
Sires With Winners - Sunday September 21
Here is the full list of 66 stallions which had winners throughout Australasia today with winners and result details.
Derby and Oaks Previews Fall to The Autumn Sun
The Flemington meeting on Sunday was the scene of the VRC Derby and Oaks Previews run over 1800m to offer budding stayers a pathway forward to spring staying riches in coming months and both races were won by 3YO’s sired by The Autumn Sun.
Breednet Follow the Official Sydney 2YO Trials - 4-6
All 2YO heats this morning run at Randwick over 850m with these trials the key factor in deciding fields for the Group III ATC Breeders Plate and Gimcrack Stakes in two weeks time.