Trainer John O’Shea has revealed that he plans to give imported galloper Contributer a light autumn campaign that will include a tilt at the 2015 Australian Cup.
Contributer will start his autumn preparation in the 2015 Carlyon Cup at Caulfield on February 14. Photo by: Race Horse Photos Australia
The 2015 edition of the Group 1 Melbourne Cup (3200m) has been the long-term target for Contributer since he was purchased by Godolphin following his win in the Listed Wolferton Handicap (2011m) during the 2014 Royal Ascot Meeting, but O’Shea told TVN that the Group 1 Australian Cup (2000m) will be the major goal for the High Chaparral entire during the 2015 Melbourne Festival Of Racing.
O’Shea confirmed that Contributer was on track to return to racing in the Group 3 Carlyon Cup (1600m) at Caulfield on February 14 before he steps up to 1800 metres for the Group 2 Peter Young Stakes (1800m) at Caulfield on February 28 ahead of the Australian Cup at Flemington on March 14.
Contributer made his racing debut under the care of Ed Dunlop in 2012 and recorded impressive wins in his second and third starts before he was given a maiden opportunity at Group level when second behind the talented Magician in the Group 3 Dee Stakes (2080m) at Chester on May 10.
The talented entire finished his 2013 racing season with consistent performances in the Listed Cocked Hat Stakes (2212m) a Goodwood on May 24 and the Group 2 King Edward VIII Stakes (2414m) before he started his 2014 season with a maiden win at black type level in the Listed Magnolia Stakes (2011m) at Kempton Park on March 29.
Contributer finished second behind leading European gallopers Noble Mission and Telescope in the Group 3 Gordon Richards Stakes (2018m) at Sandown Park on April 26 before he had his final European start in the Wolferton Handicap.
Godolphin elected not to set Contributer for a Melbourne Cup campaign during the 2014 Melbourne Spring Racing Carnival and he instead made his Australian racing debut with an impressive win over Noble Protector and Signoff in the Group 3 David Jones Cup (2000m) at Caulfield on October 18 before he finished eighth as favourite in the Group 1 Emirates Stakes (1600m) at Flemington on November 8.
The Godolphin operation has not had a runner in the Australian Cup and they are still chasing their first Group 1 victory since O’Shea took over from Peter Snowden as head trainer at the end of the 2014 Sydney Autumn Racing Carnival.
