Melbourne Cup hopeful sold to Germany

Melbourne Cup hopeful Torcedor is to join Andreas Wohler in Germany after being sold by Te Akau Racing.

Trained by Jessica Harrington to win the Sagaro Stakes at Ascot in May before being placed behind the John Gosden-trained Stradivarius in both the Gold Cup at Royal Ascot and the Goodwood Cup, will join the 2014 Melbourne Cup-winning trainer immediately.

Agent Ronald Rauscher said some of the owners of 2014 Cup winner Protectionist had bought into Torcedor with a view to a trip to Australia later in the year.

“Torcedor has been bought by a group, some Germans and some Australians, and there is some of the same crew,” Rauscher said.

“He is going to be trained by Andreas Wohler and we have made a semi-plan with him.

“He is in the Irish St Leger and the Long Distance Cup at Ascot, but obviously the other big option is the Melbourne Cup 2018.

“His last two runs behind Stradivarius were very good, particularly his run at Goodwood, and it is exciting times for all involved.

“Jessica has done a wonderful job with the horse and now we have to see if we can follow her.

“It will be up to the crew to decide, but obviously the Melbourne Cup is a hugely valuable race and he looks to have a very nice weight for a horse with such a high rating with 56 kilograms.”

Torcedor is on the third line of the TAB market at $21.