Bendigo Cup winner Francis Of Assisi to chase more Spring Stakes

The visiting Godolphin Team collected another Victorian Country Cup with Francis Of Assisi scoring a commanding win in the Group 3 $300,000 Jayco Bendigo Cup (2400m) at Bendigo today.

Francis Of Assisi, above working at Werribe, travelled to Bendigo to win the Bendigo Cup. Photo by Ultimate Racing Photos.

Francis Of Assisi, above working at Werribe, travelled to Bendigo to win the Bendigo Cup. Photo by Ultimate Racing Photos.

Kerrin McEvoy shot Francis Of Assisi ($6.50) away in the straight to record a three lengths win over Second Bullet ($6.50) with $2.30 favourite Our Century running into third spot.

McEvoy combined with trainer Charlie Appleby at Geelong last week and got the same result when Qewy was able to lead all of the way to take out the Group 3 $300,000 Geelong Cup (2400m).

While Qewy will take his place in the Group 1 $6m Emirates Melbourne Cup (3200m) at Flemington next Tuesday, Appleby’s travelling assistant trainer James Ferguson said they will aim Francis Of Assisi slightly lower with the Group 3 $300,000 Queen Elizabeth Stakes (2600m) at Flemington on November 5 or the Listed $150,000 Sandown Cup (3200m) at Sandown on November 12 looking like a good options.

“It worked out very well. We quite like these cups at the moment and let’s hope we win the Melbourne Cup on Tuesday,” Ferguson said.

“He is in the Queen Elizabeth Stakes and he is also in the Sandown Cup so we have plenty of options”.

McEvoy rode another well-judged race and after settling Francis Of Assisi on the back of the leader Go Dreaming, let him stride for the 600m to lead the field into the straight and was never headed from there.

“I am really happy, he was given another really good ride by Kerrin,” Ferguson said.

“He was in a very good position and it was nice to see him take up half way and do the job from there.”

“He was just very handy and the pace of the race just suited him perfectly and he kept going which is great.”

The Darren Weir trained Howard Be Thy Name ($5.50) was sent out as one of the favourites for the Bendigo Cup but was always in the second half of the field and never threatened to finish in fifth position.

Howard Be Thy Name will now miss the Melbourne Cup and could clash again with Francis Of Assisi in the Queen Elizabeth Stakes.

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.