The Bart and James Cummings trained Precedence could be lining up for his fourth straight start in the Melbourne Cup after winning his second Moonee Valley Cup at Moonee Valley today.
Precedence wins 2nd Moonee Valley Cup. Photo by Race Horse Photos Australia
Precedence won the 2010 Moonee Valley Cup which has been renamed and is now called the Group 2 $250,000 Drake International Cup (2500m).
The eight year old is currently number forty-five in the order of entry for the Group 1 $6.2m Emirates Melbourne Cup (3200m) at Flemington on November 5 and will have to receive a penalty for the one and a half length win over Shoreman to have any chance of gaining a start.
Precedence has run in the last three Melbourne Cups and was beaten just under six lengths by Green Moon last year when ninth and will be Cups Kings Bart Cummings only chance of having a runner this year in the race that stops the nation.
Bart and his grandson James only formed a training partner at the beginning of this racing season and if Precedence gains a start it will be James’ first Melbourne Cup runner as a trainer compared to Bart who has had over eighty starters.
“There is plenty of fight left in this old boy, so don’t count him out,” James Cummings said.
“Someone should tell Greg Carpenter (Racing Victoria chief handicapper) that if he gives this horse a penalty and he gets a run in the cup then Bart will be there on Cup day, he’ll be there to cheer him on.”
“The way the horse is going, to put up that performance on the track today. The horse only won back in May, he enjoyed a Brisbane Winter Carnival and I think we are seeing the fruits of that labour now, kept that little bit fresh, I think he has some more to offer.”
Winning rider Craig Williams was able to settle Precedence ($7.50) just behind the leading bunch before circling the field on the home turn to hit the lead and draw away on the line to beat Shoreman ($5) and Gotta Take Care ($7).
Precedence has firmed dramatically in Melbourne Cup betting and is now a $71 chance after as much as $501 was on offer in early betting.
