Mark Twain, a quality Kiwi stayer, will start his Melbourne Cup 2024 campaign next month with four lead-in runs planned. OTI Racing director Terry Henderson confirmed the horse will focus solely on Melbourne leading up to the November 5 Flemington feature.
The final lead-in run is likely to be the Group 3 Geelong Cup (2400m) on October 23. Mark Twain will kick off his campaign 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 Stakes (October 5). That leaves us with a possible Geelong Cup run to prime him for Flemington,” said Henderson.
OTI Racing’s European stayer, Sevenna’s Knight, will remain in Europe for Group 1 races. Another stayer, Deakin, will come to Melbourne this spring but not for the Melbourne Cup. Docklands is a potential Cox Plate contender.
Mark Twain is a $21 chance with betting apps in Melbourne Cup odds.