Australia: Interpretation hoping to use Geelong Cup to get into Melbourne Cup
Interpretation was a minor stakes winner in Ireland in 2021 for trainer Aidan O’Brien, a fine accomplishment but not enough so far to secure a spot in a field of 24 for the Group 1 Melbourne Cup at Flemington Racecourse in Australia on Nov. 1.
Interpretation, now trained by Ciaron Maher and David Eustace, needs a win in the Group 3 Geelong Cup at 1 1/2 miles at Geelong Racecourse near Melbourne on Tuesday to help his chances for a start in the Melbourne Cup at two miles.
As of Monday, Interpretation ranked 33rd on the list of nominations for the Melbourne Cup. Success in the $314,000 Geelong Cup for Interpretation would certainly lead to a rise in the weight assignments used to determine the Melbourne Cup field.
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As of Monday, Interpretation was the 7-2 favorite in early betting for the Geelong Cup, which is expected to have a full field of 17. Ben Melham rides Interpretation for the first time in the 4-year-old colt’s fourth start in Australia.
Interpretation was third by slightly less than a length behind Lunar Flare in the Group 3 Bart Cummings Stakes at 1 9/16 miles as the 3-1 favorite on Oct. 1, racing from a stalking position. Lunar Flare earned an automatic berth for the Melbourne Cup with that win.
There are four entrants in the Geelong Cup needing positive results to help their Melbourne Cup hopes. Rodrigo Diaz (32nd), Makram (37th) and Luncies (39th) are currently on the outside of the runners guaranteed berths in the Melbourne Cup.
Makram was second by 1 1/4 lengths in the Group 2 Herbert Power Stakes at 1 1/2 miles at Caulfield Racecourse on Oct. 8, closing from 12th in a field of 15.
Rodrigo Diaz will have his Australian debut at Geelong. Trained by David Simcock of England, Rodrigo Diaz finished 13th of 20 in the Ebor Handicap at about 1 3/4 miles at York Racecourse in England on Aug. 20.
Makram and Rodrigo Diaz were 6-1 in early betting as of Monday for the Geelong Cup.
Geelong has a 10-race program beginning at 9 p.m. Eastern or 6 p.m. Pacific. Wagering is available through DRFBets.com.
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