The Tattersall’s Cup has been the central winter ambition for Future History all season, and if the gelding can claim this race, a start in the Melbourne Cup will become a genuine possibility.
This eight-year-old, who competed in Australia’s premier race in 2023, has been in excellent form this campaign, achieving a hat-trick of wins for former trainer Ciaron Maher during the summer before an ownership change led him to join Greg Hickman’s stable.
In his two starts for his new conditioner, he finished a close fourth in the Chairman’s Handicap (2000m) at Doomben and third in the Lord Mayor’s Cup (1800m) at Eagle Farm.
With those efforts now logged, Future History is primed to peak, although Hickman admits the substantial gelding has required more work to get fit than anticipated.
“We’ve just had to learn a little bit about him,” Hickman said. “When he came in, he was 600 kilos. I have worked him hard all week and he’s put on six kilos, so he’s a big boy. It has been a month between runs, but I did a fair bit with him Saturday week ago and his work was exceptional. Touch wood, everything has been perfect.”
Future History has a proven record winning up to 2800m, and Hickman expects him to perform well over the 2400m distance in Saturday’s Tattersall’s Cup at Eagle Farm.
While he faces the widest gate in the eight-horse field, he did lead the field in his three staying wins over the summer. However, Hickman is content to let jockey Nash Rawiller make the tactical decisions.
Future History was the narrow $3.30 favourite ahead of Pounding ($3.40) on Thursday, and if victorious, connections would aim to firm up plans for a Melbourne Cup program in the spring.
“This race has been the main target this campaign,” Hickman confirmed. “If he was to race well on Saturday and then come home, he would have a freshen up and then go to Melbourne.”
The past three winners of the Melbourne Cup – Half Yours, Knight’s Choice, and Without A Fight – all came from Brisbane winter carnival campaigns.
Future History is a strong contender for the Tattersall’s Cup, and you can compare online bookmakers for the best odds.