Ballarat trainer Matt Cumani has given the Melbourne Cup ride on import Grey Lion to Glen Boss – a three-time winner of the race.
Boss completed a hattrick of victories in Cup on legendary mare Makybe Diva in 2003, 2004 and 2005.
Grey Lion will jump from barrier 16 in only his second start in Australia, having finished second in the Geelong Cup.
Cumani, in his first year as a trainer, is attempting to go one better than his illustrious England-based father Luca, who has twice prepared a Cup runner-up – Purple Moon in 2007 and Bauer in 2008.
Matt Cumani’s mother Sara, who has been the full-time overseer of Grey Lion at the Werribee International Horse Centre since he arrived from France, was not too concerned when she drew the wide gate for the grey entire on Saturday night.
“I don’t think it will make any difference. He’ll give them a good run for their money.”
She said she expected Grey Lion to jump well, as he did at Geelong and sit mid-field.
Heartbreak City, the Ballarat district’s other interest in the $6m Melbourne Cup, 3200m, at Flemington on Tuesday, had no luck in the barrier draw with gate 23.
Trained by Tony Martin in Ireland, Heartbreak City will carry the hopes on Ballan district syndicator Australian Thoroughbred Bloodstock, which purchased a share in the galloper in an attempt to land the most coveted prize in Australian racing. ATB finished third with Jakkalberry in 2012.
Champion Hong Kong jockey Joao Moreira is confident Heartbreak City can give him a first Melbourne Cup after partnering the stayer in a gallop at Werribee on Saturday.
AAP reports that Moreira was impressed with the way Heartbreak City moved in the workout.
"He's is a stayer and everything he gave me as a feel was fantastic," Moreira said.
"I was delighted with what he showed me and hopefully he can combine it altogether and bring it to the race.”
