Jockey James McDonald believes that Voleuse De Coeurs has the right 2013 Melbourne Cup form after riding the classy mare for the first time at the International Equine Centre in Werribee this morning.
James McDonald is looking to go one better on Voleuse De Coeurs in the 2013 Melbourne Cup after finishing second on Fiorente in last year's race. Photo by: Race Horse Photos Australia
Voleuse De Coeurs was purchased by Eliza Park International following her dominant victory in the Group 1 Irish St Leger (2816m) and is now trained by Michael Moroney after formerly being in the care of legendary Irish trainer Dermot Weld.
The 2013 Melbourne Cup lead-up form of the Teofilo mare has been simply outstanding; winning the Listed Vintage Crop Stakes (2816m) in Navan before running strong placings in the Group 3 Curragh Cup (2816m) and the Group 3 Irish St Leger Trial Stakes (2816m) in the lead-up to her ultra-impressive win in the Irish St Leger.
McDonald will be riding in the Melbourne Cup for the second time, after finishing second on 2013 Melbourne Cup favourite Fiorente in last year’s race, and was brimming in praise for the four-year-old following a strong 2000 metres gallop at Werribee.
“I was extremely happy, she is a very good moving mare and she has a great action,” McDonald told TVN.
“She did her work really easily.
“I don’t think there will be any problems with her on top of the ground and she has a beautiful attitude.
“I’m looking forward to the Cup in a week’s time and I think she will be right there with flying colours.”
McDonald said that he has analysed the Melbourne Cup form of Voleuse De Coeurs and was delighted with her record that includes victories over Red Cadeaux, Johnny Murtagh-trained Royal Diamond and Aidan O’Brien-trained staying star Ernest Hemingway.
“Her form is simply outstanding and she will run two miles without a problem,” McDonald said.
The Irish St Leger has been a key lead-up race to the Melbourne Cup since Vintage Crop completed the double in 1993 but since the Dermot Weld-trainer stayers famous victory, no horse has been successful in ‘the race that stops a nation’ after winning Ireland’s premier staying event.
Vintage Crop (seventh behind Jeune in 1994), Oscar Schindler (15th behind Saintly in 1996), Artic Owl (fifth behind Brew in 2000), Vinnie Roe (fourth behind Media Puzzle in 2002 and second behind Makybe Diva in 2004), Septimus (18th behind Viewed in 2008) and Jukebox Jury (20th behind Dunaden in 2011) have all entered the Melbourne Cup following Irish St Leger victories without success.
