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Roger Varian is considering various possibilities with Eldar Eldarov. Ever since Vintage Crop globalized the Melbourne Cup in 1993, the Irish St Leger, which is scheduled to take place at The Curragh this weekend, has exerted a significant influence on Australia's renowned race.
Vintage Crop holds a unique record as the only horse to have triumphed in both the St Leger and the Melbourne Cup. However, other notable contenders such as Oscar Schindler, Vinnie Roe, Yeats, and Septimus had also emerged victorious in the St Leger and were highly fancied in the prestigious Melbourne Cup. Twilight Payment, on the other hand, secured third place in the year it clinched victory at Flemington.
As the Melbourne Cup entries draw to a close on Tuesday, there are several horses expected to compete in the 2816m race, which is scheduled to take place on Sunday night Australian time. Among these entries is Eldar Eldarov, trained by the renowned Roger Varian.
Eldar Eldarov, the son of the legendary Dubawi, garnered significant attention as a high-profile nomination last year. However, he did not make the journey to the Melbourne Cup. Nevertheless, Varian has expressed that Eldar Eldarov is one of his options for the 2023 edition of the race.
Before committing to the Melbourne Cup, Varian intends to assess Eldar Eldarov's performance at The Curragh first, ensuring that the talented horse is in top form before pursuing the prestigious Melbourne Cup title.
“He will have an entry when the race closes but he’s got a big race in Ireland beforehand, so we’ll see how we go there then regroup,” Varian said.
Eldar Eldarov, a Northern Hemisphere 3YO, made his mark in last year's Melbourne Cup with a weight of 55kg. He showcased his talent by winning the prestigious Gr.1 English St Leger, a grueling 2922m race. However, this year, Eldar Eldarov is expected to carry a heavier weight as he has proven himself to be a formidable competitor.
Consistency & Competitiveness: Eldar Eldarov's Stellar Racing Streak
In his recent races, Eldar Eldarov has displayed his consistency and competitiveness. He secured a commendable second place finish in the Gr.2 Yorkshire Cup, a challenging 2816m race. Despite facing tough competition in the Group One Gold Cup at Royal Ascot, Eldar Eldarov managed to secure a respectable seventh place finish over a lengthy distance of 4014m. Continuing his impressive performance, he clinched a fourth place finish in the Goodwood Cup, a demanding 3218m race held in August. With these results, Eldar Eldarov has now achieved four wins out of his nine total starts, solidifying his reputation as a talented racehorse.
Trainer Roger Varian, who has previously sent horses to compete in Australia, is well aware of the stringent veterinary protocols required to campaign a horse in Melbourne. Fortunately, he is confident that Eldar Eldarov will successfully meet all the necessary requirements and pass the veterinary examinations without any concerns.
With Eldar Eldarov's proven track record and his trainer's assurance, it is clear that he is a strong contender for this year's Melbourne Cup.
“He’s a very clean, sound horse. You never quite know until you put cameras on horses, but he’s a good horse (and) very straight forward,” Varian said.
“We wouldn’t take him if we didn’t think he could run well.”
The closure of nominations for the Melbourne Cup marks the conclusion of the long-range entries for the three major horse racing events of the Melbourne spring season.