Cups Dream Still Leads Six O'Clock News
- Saturday, 12 September 2009 06:30
Zabeel gelding Six O'Clock News, bidding for a place in the major Cups in Melbourne this spring, showed he was on the right track with a solid performance in the Group Three Merial Metric Mile at Awapuni on Saturday.
Jumping from the outside barrier in the field of 18, the Paddy and Trent Busuttin-trained five-year-old was towards the rear of the field on the home turn.
But under veteran jockey Noel Harris, Six O'Clock News stormed home under 57.5kg, unleashing his trademark big finish to run fifth.
His effort showed the gelding was on track for some of Victoria's major spring carnival races.
Six O'Clock News has only 50.5kg in both the Caulfield and Melbourne Cups and given his light weight is unlikely to get a start in the Caulfield Cup.
Busuttin said that no horse in the last five years had made the Caulfield Cup field with less than 51.5kg, "which means Six O'Clock News won't get in unless we get a one kilo handicap".
Busuttin added he might have to take the gelding to Melbourne earlier than he would have liked to try for a victory and a rehandicap.
Saturday's Merial was won by Elblitzem, who dashed clear soon after straightening and posted an easy 3-1/2 length win over Kuda Mahal with Yanna Marie third.
