Flemington
American-owned Spanish Mission could be favored in Melbourne Cup
Joe Labozzetta/NYRA Spanish Mission earned a 95 Beyer Speed Figure for his win Saturday in the Jockey Club Derby Invitational.
American-owned and England-based Spanish Mission is headed to Australia as the early favorite for the Nov. 2 Melbourne Cup.
Spanish Mission raced Aug. 20 at York, finishing second by a head to the legendary Stradivarius in the Group 1 Lonsdale Cup over 2 1/16 miles.
Owned by Team Valor International and Gary Barber and trained by Andrew Balding, Spanish Mission is expected to be shipped to Australia the second week in September and could prep for the Melbourne Cup in the Oct. 16 Caulfield Cup.
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A 5-year-old horse by Noble Mission, Spanish Mission raced once in America, winning the 2019 Jockey Club Derby Invitational at Belmont over 1 1/2 miles.