Versatile seven-year-old Wicklow Brave is being targeted at a trip to Australia later this year with a tilt at the Melbourne Cup a possibility, according to his owner.
The talented son of Beat Hallow finished fourth behind Big Orange in last week’s Goodwood Cup, showcasing his ability to perform on the flat after successful placed outings in the Group Three Diamond Stakes at Chester in May, and the Long Distance Cup at Ascot on British Champions Day last season.
Ridden by Andrea Atzeni, Wicklow Brave was dropped out at the rear in the Group Two Goodwood Cup before making good late progression to finish within three-and-a-half lengths of winner Big Orange. Following the contest, owner Nigel Peacock spoke to Racing UK about where he sees his horse’s upcoming targets being:
“Unfortunately he wasn’t quite as good as Big Orange, but he ran a blinder and acquitted himself well,” said Peacock.
“We’ll see what the handicapper does. I think we’d like to go to the Melbourne Cup, but we’ll have to see what the handicapper does.
“He could probably do with going up by a couple of pounds. With his current rating he would be right on the edge of getting in, I think, and it would be a big risk to take him there, with the cost and everything else, if you’re not sure you’re going to get a run.”
Trainer Willie Mullins also aired his intention to send his innamate ‘Down Under’ in his bid to go one place better than Max Dynamite’s second-place finish last November.
“He’s not the easiest of rides and he just thought he might make a little bit more use of him the next time, but it puts him in the Melbourne Cup picture,” said Mullins.
“Hopefully we’ll get another run into him and if just keeps improving, we’ll be in Melbourne come November.”
Wicklow Brave – winner of the County Hurdle at Cheltenham in 2015 – is currently a best-priced 33/1 with William Hill and SkyBet to win the Melbourne Cup at Flemington racecourse on Tuesday 1 November, and give Ireland its third victory in the great Australian showpiece following Vintage Crop in 1993 and Media Puzzle in 2002.
