Long shot Beautiful Romance odds for the 2016 Melbourne Cup has shortened in to $71 and trainer Saeed Bin Suroor remains confident that the staying mare will run well in the Group 1 event at Flemington today.
Damian Lane has been booked to ride Beautiful Romance in the 2016 Melbourne Cup. Photo by: Race Horse Photos Australia
Beautiful Romance was available at a quote of $41 when the 2016 Melbourne Cup field was released on Saturday night, but after drifting out to $81 has had some support today, firming in $10.
Saeed Bin Suroor has finished second in the Melbourne Cup on three occasions – with Central Park (behind Rogan Josh in 1999), Give The Slip (behind Ethereal in 2001) and Crime Scene (behind Shocking in 2009) – and he believes there is no reason why Beautiful Romance can’t go close to delivering him a maiden victory in ‘the race that stops a nation’.
“She’s a Group 2 winner at York in England and is doing really well,” Bin Suroor said.
“We have finished second here three times in the past and this filly is in good form, we just need to see them handy in the race.
“If we win it, it would be a great result for Godolphin and for racing, and for Melbourne Cups here.
“In the past it’s been great to see our horses run second three times, but this time we’re looking forward to seeing them run better even.”
Beautiful Romance started her 2016 racing season in the Group 2 Middleton Stakes (2092m) at York on May 12 and he stamped herself as a filly to watch with an impressive victory.
She stepped up in class to tackle the older horses in the Group 2 Hardwicke Stakes (2414m) at Royal Ascot and she finished in 5th, but was still able to beat home Melbourne Cup rivals Wicklow Brave and Exospheric.
Beautiful Romance failed to beat home a single runner in the Group 1 Nassau Stakes (1986m) at Goodwood on July 30 before she returned to a semblance of her best form when third in the Listed Nayef Stakes (2414m) at Newmarket on September 23.
Beautiful Romance remains at 2016 Melbourne Cup odds of $81, while fellow Godolphin stayer Hartnell ($6) is a clear favourite from Jameka ($8.50), Oceanographer ($9), Bondi Beach ($10) and Big Orange ($13).
