Constant travelling companion Robin Trevor Jones has confirmed that veteran stayer Red Cadeaux is thriving in Australia ahead of the 2015 Australian Cup at Flemington on March 14.
Red Cadeaux has adjusted well to conditions in Australia after arriving in Melbourne on Sunday. Photo by: Race Horse Photos Australia
Red Cadeaux arrived in Australia on Sunday and quickly settled back into his stable at the Werribee International Equine Centre, which has been his home for his four previous trips to Australia for the Group 1 Melbourne Cup (3200m).
Trevor Jones said that Red Cadeaux is yet to undertake any serious trackwork, but performed well when asked to do some minor trackwork this morning and is enjoying being back in the warm conditions of Australia.
“It was raw at home and the horse didn’t particularly enjoy it, but he has come here and is thriving already,” Trevor Jones told Sky Racing HQ.
“He had his first canter this morning which all went nicely and he had a little jog yesterday, which is the normal plan and the normal way we would go if we were here in your spring.
“Everything is good again.
“This time of the year we are normally preparing to go to Dubai and we have just gone a little bit further, but there is not a bother on him.”
Red Cadeaux will start his 2015 Melbourne Festival Of Racing campaign in the Group 1 Australian Cup (2000m) at Flemington on March 14, where he has previously raced on four previous occasions, before he heads to Sydney for races like the Group 1 The BMW (2400m) at Rosehill Gardens on March 28 and the Group 1 Sydney Cup (3200m) at Royal Randwick on April 11.
Trevor Jones admits that an autumn campaign represents an unknown quantity for Red Cadeaux, but the assistant to trainer Ed Dunlop said that he is excited to see the nine-year-old compete in Australia in a race other than the Melbourne Cup.
“We are going to run a mile and a quarter in Melbourne around Flemington, which we know he loves and don’t forget this horse is use to running a mile and a quarter this time of the year because he normally runs in the Dubai World Cup,” Trevor Jones said.
“We will head up to Sydney and have a look at the mile and a half and the two mile races, which we are looking forward to.
“I know that it is unknown, but we will have a look around there and see what we can do.”
Red Cadeaux is currently available at 2015 Australian Cup odds of $17 with Ladbrokes, while Melbourne Cup winner Protectionist ($4) is a clear favourite from Contributer ($7), Happy Trails ($10) and He’s Your Man ($13).
