News

Japan Trainer Eyes Melb Cup With Singapore Star

20th Jan 2009

Breeding and Racing - Tuesday 20 January, 2009

In Singapore, Japanese trainer Hideyuki Takaoka confirmed the owners of star stayer El Dorado (Stay Gold-White Leap, by White Muzzle) "are interested" in running him in the Gr1 Melbourne Cup (3200m).

Last start, Japanese-bred 5YO gelding El Dorado won the Gr1 Singapore Gold Cup (2200m) at Kranji on November 30 (ridden by Australian jockey Ronnie Stewart) to take his record to 6 wins & 5 placings (including runner-up in last July's Gr1 Singapore Derby over 2000m) from 20 starts.

Takaoka confirmed El Dorado will make his 2009 reappearance in the MRA Cup (held in turn by the 4 clubs under the Malayan Racing Association) at Kranji on February 8 & noted: "He's in fine form. He's been building up with slow work & has already done 3 serious gallops which were all very pleasing. I think he can still progress further this year, being only a 5YO & relatively lightly-raced with only 20 starts. The 1800m is not his best distance, but it should suit him 1st-up." With Gold Cup-winning jockey Ronnie Stewart having left Singapore, fellow Australian hoop Michael Cahill will ride him.

Takaoka also revealed: "His target this year is the Gr1 Singapore Airlines International Cup (2000m in May) & his owners are also interested to run him in either the Gr1 Melbourne Cup (3200m) or the Gr1 Hong Kong Vase (2400m) at the end of the year. If that is the case, we will have to skip this year's Gold Cup."