Racing

Ebor hero Mutual Regard may run in September Stakes at Kempton

Trainer Johnny Murtagh feels his gelding may need one more run before Melbourne Cup bid

Mutual Regard (Louis Steward) wins the Betfred Ebor at York.
Mutual Regard (Louis Steward) wins the Betfred Ebor at York.
Thu Aug 28 2014 - 01:00

Ebor hero Mutual Regard could run at Kempton on Saturday week should connections feel he needs another win to be sure of getting in the Melbourne Cup.

The five-year-old gave Johnny Murtagh a headline winner as a trainer when striking under 19-year-old apprentice Louis Steward on the Knavesmire at the weekend.

Murtagh immediately flagged up a trip to Melbourne as very much in his thoughts for the Andrew Tinkler-owned gelding, and remains keen on the idea, with a run in the September Stakes over a mile and a half a possibility before heading into quarantine.

Murtagh told Sky Sports Radio in Australia: "I think he will be ideally suited to racing in Australia. The big thing he has going for him is that he loves fast ground, he stays really and he's got a turn of foot.

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‘One more time’

“We may run him one more time in the Group Three at Kempton, and all being well he can head to the first quarantine in time for the Caulfield Cup, but the main plan would be the big day in Melbourne.

“He travels really well, he’s a very strong traveller and I think he hit the line very well (at York). He pricked his ears when he got there.

“The Ebor is only a handicap, but it’s the biggest handicap in Europe. He had 9st 9lb and we put the apprentice on him, but horses with that much weight don’t usually win the Ebor, so I think it was a huge performance.

“Hopefully I don’t have to give him another run, but if I do it will probably be at Kempton as that’s where we’ll get the fast ground.

“Fast ground and two miles around Melbourne, I think it will suit him really well.

“It’s a long way down to Melbourne, but there’s only one Melbourne Cup. It’s a huge prize and if you have a horse that has a realistic chance I think you have to take it.”

Asked about booking an Australian for the ride in the big race, Murtagh said: “I have a lot of friends out there, I know all the top jockeys – it’s always the same, when you have a good horse there’s no shortage of good jockeys.

Derby favourite Highland Reel features amongst the 45 horses confirmed for the Champagne Stakes at Doncaster on September 13th.