Which Hotham Stakes runner will grab a last-gasp Melbourne Cup ticket

By Damien RactliffeUpdated October 30, 2021 â€" 12.11pmfirst published October 29, 2021 â€" 5.50pm

Australian Bloodstock will look to take advantage of the last-gasp ticket into the Melbourne Cup - the Hotham Stakes - with Mankayan and King’s Charisma, as they did with import Ashrun last year.

Mankayan has made a poor habit of finding one or two better in his four Australian starts, but will wear the blinkers first time in an attempt to sharpen him up and keep him focused on the task at hand.

Ashrun won last year’s Hotham Handicap for Australian Bloodstock.Credit:Getty Images

He’s the more fancied of the two runners with punters, but Australian Bloodstock director Jamie Lovett thinks King’s Charisma can also figure in the finish.

“If they run top three and pass the ballot, both those horses could even sneak in on Saturday night,” Lovett said.

“I think [King’s Charisma] is looking for the bigger track. It was a bit of a hidden run the other day. Jye [McNeil] got half a check and had to come back through the field, but was coming late and I think he’ll love Flemington.

“I think they’re both live chances.”

Meanwhile, Gold Trip - who failed a vets test ahead of the Cox Plate and has been passed fit to run in Sydney - will take his place for Australian Bloodstock at Rosehill in a 2000-metre handicap.

“Obviously he’s not going to get track conditions to suit, but we just want to kick him off, give the owners a run and then put him away for the Sydney autumn,” Lovett said.

Bonus up for grabs at Flemington

Five mares in Saturday’s group 1 Empire Rose will be eligible for a $1 million bonus if they’re to win the 1600-metre Flemington contest.

Tofane is a mare in form.Credit:Michael McInally

Racing Victoria in August introduced the added incentive to 12 races, to entice the winners to the Derby Day race, run a week after Racing NSW’s new $2 million 1400-metre The Invitation for mares.

Tofane (Tatts Tiara), Still A Star (Rose of Kingston Stakes), Sirileo Miss (Ladies day vase), Colette (Tristarc Stakes) and Flying Mascot (Tesio Stakes) would claim a total of $1 million on top of the $600,000 first prize for winning the Empire Rose.

Trainer Mike Moroney said Tofane had the right profile to win on Saturday, after running second to I’m Thunderstruck in the Toorak Handicap and giving him weight.

“It looks ideal for her weight wise. She’s drawn well, she’s trained on really well so it’s certainly one we’re waiting for,” Moroney told RSN Radio on Friday morning.

“It’s not going to be an easy race, there’s never an easy group 1 but the mare’s really well.

“She’s had a really good campaign considering she only came off a short break from Queensland.”

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