Simenon could take another tilt at Melbourne Cup
SIMENON, trained by Willie Mullins could return for another tilt at the Melbourne Cup in which he was fourth in 2013 as owner Nick Peacock looks forward after a pleasing run in the Ascot Gold Cup last month.
Simenon has developed into a leading stayer on the flat since been just touched off by Estimate in the Ascot Gold Cup of 2013 but after having nearly a year off due to a setback after he won over hurdles last year, Simenon has pleased connections on his two runs since.
Last time out the eight-year-old finished two-lengths fourth to Trip To Paris and he now looks set to contest the Goodwood Cup later this month according to his owner.
Peacock, who enjoyed Cheltenham Festival success with Wicklow Brave back in March, said: "Considering how far back he was and how far wide he had to come (in Ascot), I thought it was a jolly good run and he could, and probably should, have finished a bit closer.
"It was another great run from the horse and I think we'll probably look at the Goodwood Cup for him now."
The legendary Aidan O'Brien trained Yeats was among the recent Irish winners of the Goodwood Cup, with John Oxx's Saddlers Rock being the last in 2012 and that now looks an obvious target for the seven-time winner.
"He wants good ground. There isn't a lot else coming up for him and we know he stays every yard of two miles."
Simenon was a second runner in the Melbourne Cup for his trainer who previously ran Holy Orders in the race and in 2013 he had a prep race when finishing third in the Group Two Herbert Power Stakes and of a possible return down under, Peacock added; "It depends on how he gets on, but I certainly wouldn't dismiss it.
"There is only one Melbourne Cup and neither Simenon nor myself are getting any younger!
"If everything goes well between now and then, I think there's every chance he could go back to Australia."
Racing Victoria only yesterday announced that the winners of five top races during the spring carnival will be exempt from ballot for the Melbourne Cup.
The winners of The Bart Cummings, the Lexus Stakes, Mackinnon Stakes, the Caulfield Cup and the Cox Plate, which was won last year by Aidan O'Brien's Adelaide, will also have an automatic place in the 24-runner line up on the first Tuesday of November.