Men of the Land Chase Cup

Media Release - Monday November 5

The O'Leary brothers won't be the only New Zealand farmers cheering on a horse they own in Tuesday's A$7 million Group 1 Lexus Melbourne Cup (3200m) at Flemington.

Dan, Humphrey, Michael and Shaun O'Leary have become well-known as the owners of the warhorse Who Shot Thebarman, who will be having his fourth crack at the Melbourne Cup in a bid to better his best result, third in 2014.

ZacadaOne of the opposition this year is Cambridge stayer Zacada, who is owned by Rotorua dairy farmers Andrew Bryant and David Armstrong along with Sir Patrick and Justine, Lady Hogan.

"We got to know the Barman boys when we ran in the Sydney Cup (Gr.1, 3200m)," Bryant said. "They won it and we came so close (beaten a nose). It was such a huge thrill."

There has been no joy in four starts with Zacada since the Sydney Cup and his owners were on tenterhooks awaiting confirmation of a place in the Melbourne Cup field until late Saturday.

"It was an absolute roller-coaster," Bryant said. "One minute we looked like we'd just get in, then there was a doubt.

"When we got in we had a big night on the town on Saturday night. (Sir) Patrick joined us and we celebrated, mind you we kept reminding him of the 'beautiful' draw he drew for us – 24 out of 24.

"It's such a huge thrill to have a runner in a Melbourne Cup. (Sir) Patrick has been there and done that before, but it's a first for David and I, even though he's rated a 200/1 chance. He wasn't fancied either when he ran in the Sydney Cup ($91)."

Advertisement

Like the Who Shot Thebarman camp, Bryant and Armstrong also have a strong support group on hand to cheer on Zacada on Tuesday.

"There are 30 family and friends who have come over for it, some of them are farmers from around the area," Bryant said.

"It's great for us to have them here. Now we're looking forward to Cup day.

"Murray says Zacada is a happy horse and the forecast is for a bit of rain and that would help him. We know he stays the distance."

A proven stayer, Zacada is the winner of the Gr.2 Avondale Cup (2400m) back in January and also ran well when fourth in the Gr.1 Auckland Cup (3200m) in March prior to his narrow defeat in the Sydney Cup. – NZ Racing Desk

Advertisment
More Reading...
War Machine Stakes Everest Claim - G2 Gilgai
David Hayes has a New Zealand-bred superstar heading into the A$20 million Gr.1 The Everest (1200m) in two weeks, where his sons Ben, Will and JD Hayes might line up against him with a Kiwi-bred Group One winner of their own.
Surprise Bart Cummings Victory Secures Valiant King Melbourne Cup Run
It’s not often you see a runner from the Chris Waller stable go around at 50/1 odds, but 6yo gelding Valiant King (GB) produced an outstanding effort to win Saturday’s $350,000 Group 3 VRC Bart Cummings (2520m) at Flemington, securing himself a run in this year’s $10m Gr1 VRC Melbourne Cup (3200m).
Pedigree Watch – Juvenile Stakes-Winners
Three new season juvenile stakes races on Saturday produced a $1million yearling purchase that gave Golden Slipper winner Stay Inside the perfect start to his stud career, a pinhook winner turned stakes-winner and a colt foaled in Australia with a Kiwi pedigree.
Captivant Colt Shines at Warwick Farm Trials
Captivant’s burgeoning reputation for producing precocious 2YOs took another leap forward at today’s Warwick Farm trials, with Courthezon powering to victory in Heat 10.
Sires With Winners - Sunday October 5
Here is the full list of 47 stallions which had winners throughout Australasia today with winners and result details.
Sires With Winners - Saturday October 4
Here is the full list of 119 stallions which had winners throughout Australasia today with winners and result details.
Sir Delius Delivers G1 Turnbull Stakes Win
Adding Saturday’s $750,000 Group 1 VRC Turnbull Stakes (2000m) to his Group 1 MRC Underwood Stakes (1800m) victory last start, the Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott trained Sir Delius further enhanced his outstanding reputation ahead of an assault on the WS Cox Plate and Melbourne Cup.
Media World Adds to Millionaire Yearling Stakes Success
Stakes racing on Saturday produced a number of stakes-winners purchased for seven figures as yearlings in Australia with $1.8million Inglis Easter sale-topper Autumn Glow leading the way in the Group I ATC Epsom after earlier success for $1million 2YO Incognito, while at Flemington $1.4million entire Media World took out the Listed VRC Paris Lane Stakes (1400m).
Juvenile Trial Watch – Warwick Farm
We had three heats for 2YO’s run at Warwick Farm on Friday morning over 815m with winners by Farnan, Ole Kirk and Kia Ora Stud’s first season sire Captivant, while Stay Inside had an impressive trial winner at Murray Bridge.
Briasa Wins $1million G2 Premiere Stakes- Everest Next
Twin Hills Stud’s Smart Missile will have a runner in the $20million The Everest and his explosive grey sprinter Briasa will be going into the race in top form following an exciting win at Randwick on Saturday in  the $1million Group I ATC Premiere Stakes (1200m).