Godolphin galloper Qewy is likely to head to the Melbourne Cup after his all-the-way win in the $300,000 Bet365 Geelong Cup (2400m) on Wednesday.
Qewy proves too strong for Grey Lion in the Geelong Cup. Photo: Darryl Sherer
Qewy’s win elevated the Charlie Appleby-trained galloper past the first ballot clause for the Melbourne Cup, pushing him to equal 32nd in the Melbourne Cup order of entry.
Qewy’s claims for a place in the field are likely to be further enhanced when Racing Victoria’s handicapper Greg Carpenter announces on Thursday if he will issue a weight penalty for the son of Street Cry in the Melbourne Cup.
The last four Geelong Cup winners Almoonqith (2015), Caravan Rolls On (2014), Ibicenco (2013) and Gatewood (2012) have been handed Melbourne Cup penalties of between 1kg and 1.5kg.
“The Melbourne Cup is the plan,” Appleby’s assistant trainer James Ferguson said. “If he goes up enough (in the weights) and he gets in. That’s the plan.”
Qewy set a solid gallop, leading from Matt Cumani’s international raider Grey Lion before the pair went head and head down the straight while Qewy’s stablemate Oceanographer ran on strongly from back in the field.
At the post it was Qewy ($4) that prevailed by a long head from Grey Lion ($6.50) with another three-quarters of a length back to Oceanographer ($2.90 fav). Chris Waller’s latest import Kinema ($9) was another two lengths away in fourth.
The victory also gave Kerrin McEvoy his first victory for his former employee Godolphin since the spring of 2014. McEvoy also finished second for the stable aboard Scottish in the Caulfield Cup last Saturday.
“The team said get him mobile, get him warmed up and get him into the race,” he said. “We were able to get out into a rhythm and at the top of the hill I asked him to wheel on down and away he went.
“Full credit to the horse. He lacks that change of gears but he’s very genuine and just keeps picking up.
“At the top of the running I thought he (Grey Lion) was going to get to me but my fellow never let him get any nearer than a head. He was quite adamant he wanted to win.
“He obviously stays further than that so the Cup’s the viable option now and he’s got a good each-way chance in it too.”
Sportsbet firmed both Qewy and Grey Lion’s Melbourne Cup quotes from $51 into $26 while Oceanographer is now a $34 chance.
Grey Lion is equal 27th in the Melbourne Cup order of entry and likely to be in the top 24 after drop outs at the next acceptance stage on Monday while Oceanographer is also equal 32nd.
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