APPRENTICE jockey Teo Nugent needs to win on Floating Artist in Saturday's $1 million Moonee Valley Cup, if the Ciaron Maher-David Eustace trained stayer has any chance of taking his place in the field for the $8 million Melbourne Cup on November 2.
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Maher has his fingers crossed a victory in Saturday's group two race will see the imported galloper force his way into the Melbourne Cup field and Nugent will be booked for the ride in Australia's most famous race.
Nugent, who is apprentice to the powerful Maher-Eustace training partnership, is a former student at Warrnambool's Brauer College.
"Floating Artist has to win the Moonee Valley Cup to get into the Melbourne Cup," Maher told The Standard.
"We're having a throw at the stumps trying to win a stakes race over more then 2400 metres to beat one of the clauses to get into the Melbourne Cup.
"Teo is the person for the job. He's a very underrated lightweight jockey who handles pressure very well. Teo will have his first Melbourne Cup ride if we get into the field."
The 23-year-old apprentice hoop is no stranger to Floating Artist, having ridden him to two wins and a third placing from just three rides on the six-year-old.
"Floating Artist is a quality horse who has been lightly raced," Maher said. "He's got very good European form.
"Teo has ridden him in three races for two wins. He has a very good understanding of Floating Artist.
"I thought the horse was a bit stiff running third in the Coongy as we tried to get him into the Caulfield Cup field. I've been very happy with his work since the Coongy."
Floating Artist is a $3.30 chance in the early betting markets for the Moonee Valley Cup.
Nugent has only the two rides at Saturday's Valley meeting. His other mount is the Simon Ryan-trained Grandview Avenue.
