Australian Cup to get the tick for Fiorente

Autumn Carnival plans for Melbourne Cup winner Fiorente are almost finalised with the Group 1 $1m Darley Australian Cup (2000m) at Flemington in March high on the agenda for trainer Gai Waterhouse.

Damien Oliver wins his 3rd Melbourne Cup on the Gai Waterhouse trained Fiorente.

Damien Oliver combines with Gai Waterhouse to win the Melbourne Cup on Fiorente. Photo by Race Horse Photos Australia.

Fiorente was sent straight to the spelling paddock after winning the Group 1 $6m Emirates Melbourne Cup (3200m) at Flemington on November 5 with Waterhouse is keen to return to Melbourne to kick off his 2014 campaign.

“We haven’t finalised anything yet, we’ll have to sit down with the owners, but I am keen to have a Victorian campaign first,” Waterhouse told the Herald Sun.

“We’ll have everything mapped out in the next couple of weeks.”

Waterhouse teamed up with leading Melbourne jockey Damien Oliver to win her first Melbourne Cup with the import and will head back to Sydney looking to cash in on the massive prizemoney increases of the Autumn Carnival incorporating The Championships after a short Melbourne visit.

The Group 1 $2.25m The BMW (2400m) at Rosehill on April 5 is also a likely target leading up to the rich Group 1 $4m Queen Elizabeth Stakes (2000m) at Randwick on April 19.

As Waterhouse travels around the country visiting studs inspecting yearlings for the new season sales as well as showing off her precious Melbourne Cup, Fiorente is resting at a property near Hawkesbury.

“He is out at the farm and he is having a lovely time,” Waterhouse said.

“He is enjoying himself immensely and he thought that it was very nice to go out there after winning his Cup.

“He will stay there about six weeks and then he will come back.”

Fiorente has been installed the $8 equal favourite with Kiwi star It’s A Dundeel in the Australian Cup and is second favourite at $10 for the 2014 Group 1 $3m Sportingbet Cox Plate (2040m) at Moonee Valley in October while in early betting the the Melbourne Cup the six year old is a $21 chance to make it back to back wins.

About The Author

Mark Mazzaglia

Mark is a passionate journalist with a life-time involvement in the racing industry. He spent many years as an analyst and form expert at the Courier Mail and also has hands-on experience working with some of Queensland’s top trainers.