Trainer Matt Cumani is considering backing up Melbourne Cup runner Grey Lion in the listed $300,000 Sportsbet.com.au Ballarat Cup, 2200m, on Saturday, November 19.
While Cumani is yet to make a final call on whether he presses on with the import this spring, he told The Courier on Wednesday that the early signs were that Grey Lion had pulled up well enough to have one more run.
“As long as he’s in good spirit there is every chance he’ll have one more.”
The Ballarat-based Cumani said if Grey Lion was to extend his spring campaign, the group 2 $300,000 Zipping Classic, 2400m, at Sandown on Saturday, November 12, and the Ballarat Cup were the options.
Cumani said the other possibility was to send him for a spell now to ensure he was ready in time for early autumn targets when tracks were at their best.
Grey Lion finished 14th in the Melbourne Cup after settling in a forward position.
Cumani said while racing on the rail had not been the perfect position, Grey Lion had every opportunity and failed to run out the 3200m.
He indicated more middle distance events such as the Caulfield Cup, 2400m, would be future targets. He finished second in the Geelong Cup, 2400m, after racing on the pace in his first Australian start.
Grey Lion remains stabled at the Werribee International Horse Centre, with a move to Cumani’s Ballarat stable expected next week.
MEANWHILE, Ballan Jockey Club has its only racing meeting of the year at Geelong on Saturday.
The feature event, the Geelong Hotel/United Wool Ballan Cup, 1500m, has attracted 33 nominations.
The club is running bus services from Ballarat, Buninyong, Gordon, Ballan and Bacchus Marsh to the races (bookings 1800 660 530): 10.15am, Ballarat railway station; 10.30, Buninyong Town Hall; 10.00, Gordon hotel; 10.15, Ballan railway station; 10.30, Bacchus Marsh, Gell Street bus stop.
