Lions to Roar in Cup After Top Draw
- Wednesday, 05 February 2003 00:00
The Mighty Lions, prepared by Melbourne Cup-winning trainer Michael Moroney, has drawn barrier two in the field of 17 and her outstanding recent form could be enough to sway punters to install her favourite for the Group 3 race.
The mare was a gallant last-start second to Tio Belle in the Visit Handicap (2020m) at Caulfield on January 18 after working no better than three-wide for almost the entire trip and Moroney says The Mighty Lions is right on target to notch her first Group win.
In-form jockey John Didham has been booked to ride The Mighty Lions, who is one of seven interstate invaders to line up in the AAMI Hobart Cup.
While The Mighty Lions fared well at the barrier draw, it was bad news for the Tony McEvoy-trained Jeune’s Mark, drawing the outside gate and his jockey Stephen Baster will need to use every bit of his talent to give his mount a winning chance.
However, Jeune’s Mark is already in Tasmania acclimatising in readiness for next Monday’s big race.
McEvoy opted to send his cup hope by sea instead of using the air service that will fly AAMI Hobart Cup and Tasmanian Derby candidates into the state on Saturday.
AAMI Hobart Cup topweight Stoway, from the Gai Waterhouse stable, drew well in gate 10, which should enable his rider Danny Beasley to find a good position in the run to the first turn.
The Leon Macdonald-trained mare Glitzy Guru will have to cope with barrier 15 and last year’s AAMI Hobart and AAMI Launceston Cups winner St. Andrews will start alongside Macdonald’s mare in gate 14.
Of the local hopes, classy mare Abbadena drew gate 12, but the best served were Jockey Club Cup winner Us And Maka in barrier six and 2000 AAMI Hobart Cup winner Lord Baracus next door in barrier seven.
Last-start Flemington winner It’s Rysek was a shock omission from final declarations. The gelding was to be ridden by top jockey Damien Oliver and would have been the likely favourite for the race had he made the trip.
It’s Rysek’s trainer Richard Freyer cited unsuitable transport arrangements as the reason for him not accepting for the race.
Media Release - AAMI Hobart Cup