Commissioned to enhance Melbourne Cup chances in Goodwood Cup

Irish stayer Commissioned can enhance his chances for the 2016 Melbourne Cup when he runs in the Group 2 £300,000 QATAR Goodwood Cup (2 miles) at Goodwood in England on July 28.

Prince Of Penzance, green cap, and Max Dynamite, white cap, finish one two in the 2015 Melbourne Cup at Flemington. Photo by Ultimate Racing Photos.

Prince Of Penzance, green cap, and Max Dynamite, white cap, finish one two in the 2015 Melbourne Cup at Flemington. Photo by Ultimate Racing Photos.

Former hurdler Commissioned raced for the first time for new owner Nick Bradley and trainer Gordon Elliott when he scored a one and three quarter lengths win in the £80,000 Queen Alexandra Stakes on the last day of the five day Royal Ascot Carnival.

Bradley said after that win that Commissioned wouldn’t be going over the jumps anymore and would concentrate on qualifying the six year old for the Group 1 $6m Melbourne Cup (3200m) at Flemington on November 1.

“He won’t be going back over hurdles. He doesn’t look like a hurdler to me,” Bradley told Thoroughbred News.

“The Melbourne Cup is Plan A.”

“He’s back in training and the Goodwood Cup. We’ll go there very hopeful and the idea is to get him qualified for Melbourne now. That is our main aim.”

Commissioned has won three of his thirteen starts over the jumps, as well as three on the flat including his last start win at Royal Ascot on June 18.

In early markets for the Melbourne Cup at Ladbrokes.com.au, Commissioned is marked as a $61 chance while the Aidan O’Brien trained Order Of St George heads the betting at $11.

Order Of St George shot to the top of the Melbourne Cup market order after scoring a commanding win in the Group 1 £400,000 Gold Cup (2 mile 4 furlong) at Royal Ascot on June 16.

Last year’s Melbourne Cup runner up Max Dynamite and the Darren Weir trained Signoff share the second line of betting at $17 ahead of Albert, Amralah, Curren Mirotic, Fame Game, Last Impact, Mizzou, Protectionist, Tarzino, and the United States all on $21 while last year’s winner Prince Of Penzance is rated a $31 chance to win back to back Melbourne Cups.

The Willie Mullins trained Max Dynamite is also entered for the Goodwood Cup and the Irish trainer is also keen to get back to Australia for the Melbourne Cup.

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.