Angel Gabrial Could Be Melbourne Cup Bound

Sunday, 29 June 2014 08:30

Angel Gabrial has put himself in the mix for the Melbourne Cup with victory over Suegioo in the Northumberland Plate.

Both horses are owned by Dr Marwan Koukash who has come to Australia for the past two years with Mount Athos who was fifth in the Cup in 2012 and third last year.

Koukash plans to return with Mount Athos and is now hoping Angel Gabrial can get his rating high enough to be a starter.

"I think Angel Gabrial can win a Group race now, he's won that easily off 96," Koukash told Racing UK.

"We'll definitely think about Melbourne because he handles all types of ground.

"He's not far off the rating needed."

Trainer Richard Fahey said he would be happy to make the trip with Angel Gabrial who was beaten by Suegioo in the Chester Cup.

"Whether he'd get in, I don't know, but I'd love to have a runner out there, he's that sort of horse," he said.

Koukash said Angel Gabrial and Suegioo could clash again in the Goodwood Cup or the Ebor Handicap.

The Marco Botti-trained Mount Athos made a winning return last month in a 2700m Listed race at Newbury.

Botti will look at running Mount Athos in the Caulfield Cup as his lead-up to Flemington.

Brown Panther, raced by his breeder Michael Owen, is also likely to head back to Australia.

He has raced three times since last year's Cup, winning two races and finishing fourth in the recent Ascot Gold Cup won by Leading Light.

Cafe Society, who finished third in a Listed race at Royal Ascot for new trainer Gai Waterhouse, could have one more start in England before he is transported to Australia with new stablemate Bremner.

Waterhouse bought Cafe Society just days before Royal Ascot but is uncertain whether he is a Cup contender this year or next.