In 1943 Saint Warden saluted at 100/1 so another bolter is just about due.
The Silver Medal Syndicate – made up of people in Echuca-Moama and Kyabram – owns a hoof in the British-bred stayer (you own one per cent for $15,000) is pinning its hopes on their own little slice of turf history in the $5 million classic.
Spokesman Darryl Coutts said he and his mates were hoping Saturday’s Caulfield Cup was the start of something special.
When they bought their share in 2019 it was just two days before Mustajeer won Britain’s first handicap on the flat with a one million pound purse.
Going into his second Australian spring carnival, Mustajeer is not exactly setting the world on fire with his form, with two forgettable outings this prep at Royal Randwick in Sydney as his lead-up to tomorrow’s cup.
And the bookies haven’t been too kind to the eight-year-old, quoting him as a $101 outsider over the 2400m.
If you wanted to add a little more doom and gloom to predictions, the only other horse at longer odds (200/1) is Raheen House - and he’s Mustajeer’s stablemate.
But Coutts said the forecast rain for today and tomorrow could benefit the syndicate’s runner.
“Kris (Lees, Mustajeer’s trainer) says he has been working well but a softer track would be better suited to the horse’s style,” Coutts explained.
“It’s clear he hasn’t been running very well since he returned from a spell but we’re hoping he can recapture some of the autumn form where we won the Paramatta Cup and had two second places in group ones.
“We’ve also got him nominated for the Melbourne Cup, so this is another step in his preparation.
“If we can get a good performance out of him, we will be very confident heading into the big race.”
Mustajeer has been drawn in barrier 15 which Coutts described as “not ideal”.
“It would have been better to draw closer to the running rail but we are expecting him to be ridden back from that position but the main thing for us is seeing him get over the line,” Coutts.
Billy Egan will be in the saddle after gun Sydney hoop Hugh Bowman was snatched up by the Aidan O’Brien stable to ride race favourite Anthony Van Dyck.
“Hugh has got a great opportunity and we wish him all the best,” Coutts said.
“We’ve got great confidence in Billy being able to put Mustajeer in a good position to run a strong race.”
Coutts and other syndicate members will have to watch the race from the comfort of their own homes with owners still unable to attend metropolitan tracks.
But he said he hoped the restrictions were eased in time for the biggest day on the Australian racing calendar on the first Tuesday in November.
“It would be great if we can go to Flemington on Melbourne Cup Day,” Coutts said.
Kyabram will have another vested interest in the race with last year’s Melbourne Cup winner, Vow and Declare, nominated by former local Danny O’Brien.
The race is scheduled to be run at 5.15pm.
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