Red Cadeux on track for 2012 Melbourne Cup after third at Newmarket
Last year’s Melbourne Cup runner-up Red Cadeaux is on target for another crack at Australia’s richest race after finishing third in the Group II Prince Of Wales’s Goldsmiths Stakes (12f) at Newmarket in England overnight.
The race shaped as a genuine spring carnival pointer. Red Cadeaux together with Modun and Harris Tweed laid their Australian prospects on the line.
Earlier in the day Jakkalberry and Quest For Peace, both also expected in Melbourne later this year, were scratched from the event due to the going.
Race favourite Harris Tweed led until the final 400 metres before Fiorente arrested the lead and powered away to defeat Joshua Tree 2-3/4 lengths with Red Cadeaux a further 1-1/2 lengths back in third in the soft rated going.
“It could have been one race too many and he has shown ground that soft doesn’t suit him,” Red Cadeaux’s trainer Ed Dunlop told the Racing Post.
“He’ll now have a break before Australia.”
Harris Tweed finished fourth, beaten 11-1/4 lengths, while Modun was down the track, beating just one runner home, in the seven horse field.
Winning trainer Sir Michael Stoute said Fiorente was finally living up to his potential and thrived on the wet track.
“He’s a horse I have always held in high esteem but had a couple of disappointments and I haven’t made any plans for him at all,” Stoute said.
