Sydney Cup-winning jockey Dwayne Dunn rates his chances highly in today�s Warrnambool Cup. Picture: FAIRFAXCAPTION Royal Randwick Race 6 after winning the Sydney Cup at Royal Randwick. 28th April 2012Photo by Dallas Kilponen
TOP-LINE jockey Dwayne Dunn rates New Zealand stayer Maythehorsebemagic one of the top four chances in the Caulfield and Melbourne cups.
That opinion bodes well for a start in the listed $200,000 Warrnambool Cup (2350m) today.
The seven-year-old Zabeel gelding, trained by Mike Moroney, is rated a $4.50 favourite for today's cup, ahead of the Ciaron Maher-trained Mr O'Ceirin ($5) with Tuesday handicap winner Magnifique Soleil and Hamilton Cup winner Finiguerra on the third line of betting at $9.
Maythehorsebemagic was far better than a rough chance in the major spring cups, Dunn said.
"He's got a definite chance in the Warrnambool Cup. It was a super win last start at Caulfield," he said. "The barrier may not help (drawn 20) but he's far better ridden back.
"I've only seen him once when I rode him at Caulfield but he smashed them that day.
"He is stepping up in class but he's got the wet track to his advantage."
Fresh from his Sydney Cup victory aboard Niwot, Dunn said he didn't know a lot about Maythehorsebemagic.
"He's from New Zealand and been over jumps, but he's far more than a rough chance in the cups.
"I would rate him in the top four cups hopes.
"He's been sent over here to find some wet tracks," he said. After being freshened for four weeks after starting in New Zealand and being sent to Australia, Maythehorsebemagic started at Caulfield on April 9 and won by four lengths.
Of the other leading contenders, Darren Weir was yesterday delighted with the way City Of Warrnambool Handicap (1700m) winner Magnifique Soleil pulled up after Tuesday's run.
"He went to the beach and all's good. We'll make sure he eats up tonight and that he's OK to go tomorrow," Weir said.
"He's going good. He had a beautiful draw, got a really good run and was always going to win from there.
"He's fit and well. He's up to country cups. We'll just wait and see how he develops."
Magnifique Soleil crashed in from $13 to $9 for today's cup after Tuesday's win and now boasts five wins from six starts since resuming from a 16-month spell in February.
One punter will be quite happy after having $500 each-way at $13 for the cup before Tuesday's run.
In a strong early betting race, money has come for Maythehorsebemagic, Mr O'Ceirin and Warrnambool hope Hissing Sid.
The Ciaron Maher-trained Mr O'Ceirin is second favourite for the cup after winning his last start at Flemington on Anzac Day over 2000m as a $3.70 chance by an impressive 3.3 lengths.
He has two wins from two starts on heavy going, while Maythehorsebemagic has had four starts on heavy tracks for one win and a couple of placings.
The cup is race eight on a 10-race card, scheduled to start at 3.35pm.
athomson@standard.fairfax.com.au
