The ballot-free run to the Melbourne Cup of Mark Twain (NZ) (Shocking) will begin in the Victorian capital next month, with four lead-in runs planned for the quality Kiwi stayer.
OTI Racing director Terry Henderson said on Tuesday that the son of Shocking will campaign solely in Melbourne in the lead-up to the November 5 Flemington feature, with his final lead-in run likely to come in the Group 3 Geelong Cup (2400m) on October 23.
The winner of the Roy Higgins Quality at Flemington in March is expected to have his first run for the campaign for trainer Roger James on August 17 in a handicap at Caulfield.
“We have that race in mind on the 17th of August to kick him off and then it’s into a 1700-metre race at Flemington on Makybe Diva Stakes Day (September 15), before we aim up at a Turnbull (October 5),” Henderson said.
“That leaves us with a possible Geelong Cup run to prime him for Flemington.”
