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Son of Frankel aimed at the Melbourne Cup

Darryl Sherer - Tuesday July 17
A son of Frankel is being aimed at the 2018 Melbourne Cup by his Cup-winning owner.

Mikel Delzangles and Sheikh Fahad al Thani with Dunaden. Photo: AAPSheikh Fahad al Thani won the 2011 Melbourne Cup with Dunaden and is planning to win Australia's greatest race again.

Count Octave is owned by Qatar Racing and racing manager David Redvers said on the group website the Melbourne Cup is the goal for the proven stayer.

"Sheikh Fahad has been very fortunate to already win the Melbourne Cup but I know he would love to do so again in the colours of Qatar Racing," Redvers said.

"Count Octave has some good form that ties in with some real Group I horses, so hopefully we can get to that stage safe and sound and then the excitement can begin."

The four-year-old won at Wolverhampton at his first start this year and finished third last time out in the Queen Alexandra Stakes (2m5f) at Royal Ascot in June where he was ridden by Oisin Murphy.

A three-quarter brother to the 2011 Irish Derby winner Treasure Beach, Count Octave finished runner-up in the Group II Jockey Club Stakes over 1m4f in May and trainer Andrew Balding said will run next at York in August.

"Count Octave's likely route will be either the Lonsdale Cup or the Ebor at York," Balding said.

"It depends on where Sheikh Fahad would like to run him, with the former being the more likely.

"However, long term, the aim is the Melbourne Cup."

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