Boom import Berkshire Breeze has gone under as the long odds on favourite at Flemington with rejuvenated stayer Horrifying winning the race with ease.
Horrifying sat outside of the favourite throughout the race and once the speed came on heading around the home turn the Lindsay Smith trained galloper started to lengthen away from Berkshire Breeze and eventually won the race by close to four lengths.
Horrifying goes back-to-back at Flemington with a super impressive win in the Inside Run Trophy.
The Archer and @MelbourneCup on the horizon? 🏆
📽 @7HorseRacing pic.twitter.com/GCUHtYgfpI
— Victoria Racing Club (@FlemingtonVRC) August 3, 2024
Berkshire Breeze powered up Melbourne Cup odds charts with two 4-3/4-length wins at Flemington on June 8 and July 6 and trainer Ciaron Maher was using Saturday’s $150,000 race as his final lead-up to next month’s Group 3 The Archer (2500m), where a Melbourne Cup ballot exemption will be on the line but that race might be up in the air after the shock loss.
Leading into Saturday’s staying feature at Flemington trainer Ciaron Maher was bullish on the horses chances and future preparation.
“We can’t fault him, he’s in really good form, we’ve just got hope and pray that he stays healthy and safe,” Maher’s assistant trainer Jack Turnbull said.
“We’ve got him where we want him, he’s very fit, and it’s just about maintaining it.
“This run again will bring him on then we’ll have him even better for The Archer.”
Berkshire Breeze won two of 10 starts in Europe when trained by Andrew Balding but joined Maher last year and had one start last Spring, finishing seventh, beaten 2-3/4 lengths.
The son of Mastercraftsman resumed with a second placing at Caulfield before winning over 2025m at Cranbourne ahead of his two Flemington wins, over 2520m and 2600m respectively.
Horrifying was at long odds in the 2024 Melbourne Cup betting prior to the race but is sure to tighten up with betting apps following the win whilst Berkshire Breeze was a $21 chance but is likely to drift.