Trainer John Moore has revealed that Hong Kong Vase winner Dominant could be set for the Group 1 Caulfield Cup (2400m) and Group 1 Melbourne Cup (3200m) during the 2013 Spring Racing Carnival.
John Moore is hopeful that Dominant will be able to come to Australia for the Caulfield Cup and Melbourne Cup during the 2013 Spring Racing Carnival. Photo by: Daniel Costello
Dominant upset 2013 Melbourne Cup placegetters Red Cadeaux and Mount Athos as well as classy filly The Fugue and 2011 Melbourne Cup winner Dunaden in the Group 1 Hong Kong Vase (2400m) at Sha Tin on Sunday and Moore has already mapped out a long-term plan for the Cacique entire.
Moore told Racing Ahead that Dominant will head to Duabi for the Group 1 Sheema Classic (2400m) at Meydan on January 11 before returning to Hong Kong for the Group 1 Chartered Champions & Chater Cup (2400m) on May 25.
The leading Hong Kong trainer is then hopeful that owners Highclere Thoroughbred Racing will allow him to transfer the talented entire to the stable of Team Hawkes in Australia and begin preparations for a tilt at the Caulfield Cup and Melbourne Cup.
“We will look at the Sheema Classic during the Dubai Cup meeting and from there head back to Hong Kong for the Champions and Chater Cup,” Moore said.
“Then we will sit down with the syndicate and ask for permission to move him over to Australia with Jonny Hawkes probably four months before the big Cups races to make sure that we have time to acclimatize.
“Hopefully he can repeat what he did here.”
Moore admitted after the Hong Kong Vase yesterday that he was surprised Dominant was able to upset some of the best stayers in Europe and a day later is still delighted to have taken out the Group 1 event for the first time in his training career.
“To get away with the race today when I went into it not that confident, I’m in Disneyland,” Moore said.
“We drew barrier 14 and I didn’t think he had the mileage in his legs.
“Zac (Purton) gave him a great ride, there was a little bit of interference in the race and we got lucky.
“The 2400m race is really put on for the Europeans.”
Moore has never had a runner in the Melbourne Cup but brought Group 1 winner Mighty High to Australia for the 2011 Caulfield Cup; with the Peintre Celebre struggling under the top weight of 57kg to finish 17th behind Southern Speed, Green Moon and Tullamore.
