Spanish Mission no longer sits atop the market for Saturday’s Australian Cup, but Peter Moody could not be happier with the import less than a week out from the $1.5 million Group 1.
Saturday’s 2000-metre event will be the second start in the Melbourne Cup placegetter’s first full preparation for the Pakenham trainer.
The six-year-old resumed with a third placing in the Group 3 Carlyon Cup (1600m) and Moody reported that he had ‘ticked over’ nicely since.
“He’s in really good order,” Moody said. “I’ve just kept him ticking over. He’s just one of those clean-winded, naturally athletic European stayers you don’t have to do a lot with.
“He’s ticked over really well since that run at a mile.”
The Carlyon Cup was the shortest race Spanish Mission has contested in a 21-start career that features six wins, including the Group 2 Doncaster Cup (3600m), Group 2 Yorkshire Cup (2787m) and rich Belmont Derby Invitational (2400m).
Spanish Mission shot to the top of Australian Cup odds after the Carlyon Cup but was replaced by Think It Over last week following the news the consistent Sydney galloper was headed south.
Think It Over heads TAB’s market at $4 with Duais and Forgot You joint second elects with Spanish Mission, while Cascadian is $8.
Luke Nolen was aboard in the Carlyon Cup by James Mcdonald has been booked for the ride in the Australian Cup, a race Moody won with Manighar in 2012.