FOUR international horses will touch down in Melbourne on Saturday in preparation for the 2009 Spring Racing Carnival and a tilt at racing’s biggest prizes.
The world-renowned Luca Cumani and Godolphin stables arrive with two horses each in search of an elusive Emirates Melbourne Cup.
Both stables have finished runner-up twice in Australia’s great race, Cumani with Purple Moon (2007) and Bauer (2008) in the past two years and Godolphin with Central Park (1999) and Give The Slip (2001).Cumani will be represented by much travelled Group 1 performer Cima De Triomphe, who will be ridden by Damian Oliver, and emerging six-year-old stayer Basaltico. Both horses are nominated for the BMW Caulfield Cup and Melbourne Cup.
BASALTICO (IRE) 6yo Bay Horse / Sire: Shantou (USA) - Dam: Sfilza
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CAREER: |
21-6-2-4 : $225,390 (approx conversion) |
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GROUP & LISTED: |
6-1-1-0 : $65,595 (approx conversion) |
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OWNER: |
Scuderia Siba-Antezzate SRL |
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NOMINATED FOR: |
BMW Caulfield Cup, Emirates Melbourne Cup |
CIMA DE TRIOMPHE(IRE) 5yo Grey Horse/Sire: Galileo(IRE) Dam: Sopran Londa(IRE)
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CAREER: |
14-5-0-2 : $1,055,046 |
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GROUP & LISTED: |
10-3-0-1 : $1,017,572 |
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OWNER: |
Teruya Yoshida |
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NOMINATED FOR: |
BMW Caulfield Cup, Emirates Melbourne Cup |
Godolphin’s raiders are Kirklees, a highly credentialed winner of his last three starts, all in Group or Listed company, and Crime Scene, a Listed winner two starts back at Newbury. Both horses are nominated for the Caulfield and Melbourne Cups, along with the Tatts Cox Plate.
KIRKLEES (IRE) 6YO Bay Horse Sire: Jade Robbery USA / Dam: Moyesii USA
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CAREER: |
17-8-2-4 : $748,482 |
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GROUP & LISTED: |
13-5-1-4 : $580,914 |
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OWNER: |
GODOLPHIN |
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NOMINATEDFOR: |
BMW Caulfield Cup, Tatts Cox Plate, Emirates Melbourne Cup |
CRIME SCENE(IRE) 7YO Bay Gelding Sire: Royal Applause GB / Dam: Crime USA
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CAREER: |
17-8-2-4 : $748,482 |
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GROUP & LISTED: |
13-5-1-4 : $580,914 |
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OWNER: |
GODOLPHIN |
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NOMINATEDFOR: |
BMW Caulfield Cup, Tatts Cox Plate, Emirates Melbourne Cup |