Premier steeplechaser Constitution Hill could chase history with an attempt on this year’s Melbourne Cup after shining in his English return over the weekend.
On Racing TV’s Luck on Sunday, which went to air Sunday afternoon in Australia, owner Michael Buckley named the November $10m 3200m Flemington prize as his vision.
Trainer Nicky Henderson and Buckley ponder jumps action at Cheltenham Festival next month, yet the owner eyes a specific path toward season’s close.
“I think we need to make a plan, we can always change it along the way,” Buckley said.
“I think that the horse should be running around about the end of August or beginning of September, in either the Ebor (at York), or there’s a race at Goodwood, or in the Irish St Leger, with a view to going to Melbourne.
“I think he’ll stay two miles on the flat.
“If you were asking me what I’d like to do, that’s what I’d like to aim at.”
A 9-1/2 length thrashing over 2414m on Southwell all-weather greeted Constitution Hill’s resumption, held early Saturday Australian time.
His flat initiation followed three falls in the prior four jumps races. He had strung together 10 jumps successes beforehand, eight maximum grade.
The son of Blue Bresil, foaled March 17, 2017, ages to 10 years old for Melbourne Cup under Australian northern-bred rules.
Eight-year-olds Toryboy (1865), Catalogue (1938) and Twilight Payment (2020) share distinction as Melbourne Cup’s senior-most winners since 1861.
His jumps-heavy resume demands Constitution Hill gain flat black-type wins for Melbourne Cup access, alongside Racing Victoria vet scans.
Buckley believes clearance is assured, trotting peculiarities notwithstanding, as Henderson prepares demonstrations for officials.
“As far as I know, he doesn’t have anything that would be adverse to getting in,” Buckley said.
“Nicky will make sure that they have a video of the way he trots…he’s a terrible trotter but he seems OK when he’s galloping.”
For the November 3 Melbourne Cup, Constitution Hill trades at $15 shortest.
Head to trusted betting sites for competitive odds on Constitution Hill tackling the Melbourne Cup.
