High Emocean is on the cusp of a Melbourne Cup start after her win in the Bendigo Cup.
The Ciaron Maher and David Eustace-trained High Emocean has moved a step closer to a Melbourne Cup start following her win at Bendigo.
Success in the Group 3 Bendigo Cup (2400m) on Wednesday has moved the mare into 26th spot in the Order of Entry for the Group 1 Melbourne Cup (3200m) at Flemington on Tuesday.
High Emocean is eligible for a rehandicap following Wednesday's victory.
A 1kg penalty would see her move inside the safety limit of 24 for Tuesday's race while a 0.5kg penalty would see her move to 25th in the ballot order.
Sent out the $2.30 favourite under Harry Coffey, High Emocean scored by a neck from Port Phillip ($3.20) with Verimli ($11) a further 1-¼ lengths away third.
Jack Turnbull, representing Maher and Eustace, said the stable was hoping the mare may sneak into Tuesday's Melbourne Cup.
"It's a massive result for the team and hopefully she has done enough to get into the Melbourne Cup on Tuesday," Turnbull said.
"That's all you can do - win - and we've picked up a healthy cheque today. She loves Flemington, she loves soft ground, and the forecast looks a bit dismal.
"Fingers crossed she can sneak in."
It was the second win in succession in the Bendigo Cup for Coffey after taking honours aboard Wentwood 12 months ago.
Coffey has been aboard High Emocean at her past three outings, first scoring on the mare at his first ride at Flemington last month.
He said High Emocean likes to be ridden cold, but in Wednesday's small field he was forced to take a position closer to the speed.
Coffey said any rain leading up to Melbourne Cup Day would be ideal for High Emocean.
"I think we'd need a bit of rain but if she does get into it, she'll have not weight and she tries her absolute rocker out and that's all you can ask for in a racehorse," Coffey said.
A cracking finish to the 2022 Bendigo Cup
Favourite backers cheer as High Emocean fends off Port Philip!@cmaherracing @HTCoffey @_BendigoJC pic.twitter.com/3MPgYIDrUJ
— Racing.com (@Racing) October 26, 2022
