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| Staff Writer |
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After a strong showing in a prep race, Emissary is now a serious contender for Australia's most prestigious event, the Melbourne Cup.
On Wednesday, the $17 underdog gelding trained by Michael Moroney, Surefire, was defeated by a full length to win the Geelong Cup. Although the Geelong Cup does not grant automatic ballot exemption to the Melbourne Cup, it serves as a valuable form reference in the final two weeks leading up to the race that stops the nation. After taking home the Geelong Cup, Emissary will be penalised by the handicappers and move up into the top 24 horses for the Melbourne Cup.
Before the start of the Geelong Cup, Emissary was entered 30th in the order of entrants. On the other hand, leading Sydney trainer Chris Waller, who won the Cup with Verry Elleegant in 2017, has confirmed that Damien Oliver will be aboard Durston in the November 1 main race at Flemington. With his victory in the Caulfield Cup, one of five races exempt from the voting, Durston rocketed to the top of the list of entrants. A win in the Geelong Cup does not guarantee entry into the Melbourne Cup, but the winner may be given a weight penalty that moves them up the entry list.
Emissary, which was placed 30th in the order of entry prior to Wednesday, won the 2022 Geelong Cup. Two of the last three winners of the Melbourne Cup originated as Geelong Cup champions (2010 and 2011).