Melbourne Cup confirmed as big-race target for Magic Circle
The Ian Williams-trained six-year-old will have one more run before heading Down Under
PROGRESSIVE stayer Magic Circle will head Down Under for the Melbourne Cup later this year.
Ian Williams’ classy six-year-old has been in brilliant form this year and will fly the flag for Britain in Australia this November.
The son of Makfi was purchased by owner Marwan Koukash over the winter and switched to the Worcestershire yard of Williams.
He made an instant impact for his new stable, winning the Chester Cup in May before he followed up with a six-length win in the Group 3 Henry II Stakes at Sandown.
Williams has earmarked the Lonsdale Cup at York in August as the horse’s prep run for the Melbourne Cup on 6 November, an historic race worth over £4,000,000.
Williams said: “He had a bit of a break after Sandown. We freshened him up and he seems in good form.
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“We’ll take a look at the Lonsdale Cup at York and obviously we’re preparing everything for Melbourne.
“York will hopefully be his next and only race before the Melbourne Cup. That’s the plan.”
The trainer was also pleased to see Magic Circle’s form boosted at Royal Ascot, with Sandown runner-up Red Verdon finishing second in the Group 2 Hardwicke Stakes.
He added: “The form has worked out exceptionally well and they’ve actually put him up a pound from 117 to 118.”
European runners have a good recent record in the Melbourne Cup.
Joseph O’Brien trained Rekindling to win the race last year, beating his dad Aidan’s horse Johannes Vermeer into second.
Other horses to stuff the Aussies in their back yard in recent years include Germany’s Protectionist in 2014 and Americain and Dunaden for France in 2009 and 2010.