Pale Mimosa No Certainty For Melbourne Cup

Pale Mimosa recorded an impressive win in the Lonsdale Cup at York overnight, but trainer Dermot Weld revealed that the promising stayer is no certainty to make the trip to Australia for the 2014 Melbourne Cup.

Dermot Weld has not had a runner in the Melbourne Cup since Galileo's Choice finished behind Green Moon (pictured) in the 2012 edition of the race.

Dermot Weld has not had a runner in the Melbourne Cup since Galileo's Choice finished behind Green Moon (pictured) in the 2012 edition of the race. Photo by: Race Horse Photos Australia

Pale Mimosa was well-backed heading into the Lonsdale Cup and she was settled in fourth position in the early stages of the race before showing her impressive turn-of-foot to record a half a length win from Estimate and Times Up.

Weld said after the race that he was thrilled with the performance of Pale Mimosa, but would not rush into a decision about whether he would set the Singspiel mare for the Group 1 Melbourne Cup (3200m) and admitted that he is concerned by how the five-year-old would handle the firm Flemington track.

“We will see,” Weld said when asked about the Melbourne Cup.

“The problem is that she loves a bit of ease in the ground; the track here is beautiful and is a credit to the York management.

“We will think about Melbourne and discuss it in great detail and see where we go with her.”

The Queen-owned Estimate finished a disappointing eighth in the Group 2 Goodwood Cup (3218m) on July 31, but she returned to her best form to finish a strong second in the Lonsdale Cup.

The Queen’s Racing Manager John Warren was thrilled with the performance and he revealed that there would now be a great deal of thought put into a potential Melbourne Cup tilt for the 2013 Ascot Gold Cup winner.

“We now have to get our heads around the couple of options that there are,” Warren said.

“There’s the Doncaster Cup, but we are also quite keen to look at the Irish St Leger.

“It is shorter in trip, but might be a way to sharpen her up with the possibility of the Melbourne Cup.

”The Queen will have a really good input about how she would like to play it because it is quite a big decision to go to Australia.

“It is step by step until the Queen hears all the arguments and what Sir Michael (Stoute) thinks, but he said today was probably a good enough trial in itself for the Melbourne Cup.

“It is a big decision for all sorts of reasons.

“She is lightly raced, but if the training goes well it would be a great fun thing to do.”

Pale Mimosa is currently available at 2014 Melbourne Cup odds of $26 with Ladbrokes Australia.

About The Author

Thomas Hackett

Thomas is a passionate and opinionated racing journalist and punter who has been obsessed with horse racing since he backed Saintly to win the 1996 Melbourne Cup. An international racing enthusiast, he has his finger on the pulse of racing news not just from Australia but all around the world.