Relentless Voyager has thrust himself into Melbourne Cup calculations after a commanding display in the Travis Harrison Cup at Moonee Valley for Australian Bloodstock.
Carrying a testing 61.5kg, the Ciaron Maher-trained gelding, ridden by Mark Zahra, proved too strong over 2040 metres. The six-year-old has already raced across England, Italy and Australia, and Maher — who guided Gold Trip to Cup glory in 2022 for the same ownership group — is plotting another tilt at Flemington’s two-mile feature.
“That was a fair bit of weight today and we think that once he gets up in trip he should improve, and his exposed form tells you that,” assistant trainer Jack Turnbull said of the stayer, who was placed in the Group 3 Glorious Stakes (2414m) at Goodwood last season.
“He’s just starting to show his true colours now as his fitness builds, and stepping out further next start should see him improve again.”
Nellie Leylax ($3.70) from the Annabel and Rob Neasham stable appeared set for victory until Relentless Voyager ($8.50) charged home to score by 1¼ lengths, with stablemate Sayedaty Sadaty ($2.90 favourite) another ¾ length away in third.
Both Maher-trained gallopers will next target the Group 3 The Archer (2500m) at Flemington on September 13, which offers an automatic berth in the Cup.
“Hopefully the timing works in our favour come spring. This meeting has been a starting point for many of our top stayers, and I’m confident he’ll join that list,” Turnbull said.
“He is right up there with our best current stayers,” he added.
Bookmakers have trimmed Relentless Voyager to $18 for the Melbourne Cup on November 4.