Much-improved Melmich takes aim at Durham Cup
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ETOBICOKE, Ontario – Melmich has been a rags-to-riches success for trainer Kevin Attard, and the late bloomer will try to notch his first graded stakes over nine furlongs in Saturday’s $150,000 Durham Cup at Woodbine.
Melmich was claimed twice last year, including for $20,000 by Attard in September. Since then, the 4-year-old has won six of eight starts while rising through the ranks, culminating with a front-running score over the gritty veteran Pender Harbour in the Elgin Stakes, for graduates of local yearling sales.
Attard said more aggressive tactics than usual were employed in the four-horse Elgin.
“In a four-horse field, you always have to be aware of the pace scenario,” Attard explained. “On paper, it looked like a two-horse race. It made sense to go out there and try to dictate the pace, if they were going to let us. It worked out that way.”
Attard said Melmich’s versatility in terms of running style is one of his best weapons.
“He’s run on from far off the pace, and other times, he’s been on the lead,” Attard said.
The Grade 3 Durham Cup lured a quality field that also includes last year’s Canadian champion older male, Lukes Alley, and Florida Won, perhaps the current leader of the division.
Durham Cup, Race 8
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KEY CONTENDERS
Melmich (Last 3 Beyers: 102-96-92)
◗ Attard felt that confidence might be the best explanation for Melmich’s transformation into one of the better horses on the grounds.
“We brought him along nicely, through his conditions, a starter allowance, and that restricted stakes,” Attard said. “He seems to be happy and pretty confident in himself right now. He worked really well in the spring before we ran him this year. One day, I needed some company for Calgary Cat to chase. [Melmich] went with him right to the wire.”
Lukes Alley (Last 3 Beyers: 93-98-100)
◗ He won three of four outings last year, including the Durham Cup and the Grade 2 Autumn. Following a 10-month layoff Sept. 12, he captured an open allowance under regular rider Luis Contreras.
Florida Won (Last 3 Beyers: 94-98-101)
◗ The 2014 Ontario Derby winner won his last two starts after rallying from seventh, in the Grade 3 Seagram Cup and the $200,400 Presque Isle Mile. He earned career-high 101 Beyer Speed Figure when second to Red Rifle in the Grade 3 Dominion Day.
Are You Kidding Me (Last 3 Beyers: 89-93-95)
◗ He prevailed in Grade 2 stakes company on turf and Polytrack earlier in the meet and is coming off a wide fourth in the Presque Isle Mile.