 |
|
| Staff Writer |
 |
One of Europe's most improved stayers is a likely challenger for the Caulfield and Melbourne Cups this spring after Crystal Black qualified for both races with a comprehensive victory in Ireland overnight.
The surprise story of the staying ranks in recent months, Crystal Black made it five wins in a row in the Gr.3 Ballyroan Stakes at Leopardstown to put the Cups double in Melbourne firmly on the radar.
His dominant five-length win elevated Crystal Black beyond the first ballot clause for both the Caulfield and Melbourne Cups.
Despite him beating only three rivals, bookmakers took plenty of notice of his performance with Crystal Black wound up behind the Sydney Cup winner Circle Of Fire
Trainer Ger Keane told reporters after his son Colin had taken Crystal Black to his first stakes victory that the son of Teofilo could end up in Melbourne in a few months after confirming talks had taken place with the ownership group.
"There is a bit of interest from Australia in him and there are negotiations going on that he might go for the Melbourne Cup," Keane said.
"The lads want to hold on to half of him, but we'll know more in the next few days.
"If he was in the first three today that deal was on the table."
It is worth noting that Crystal Black was the final of 36 international entries for the Caulfield Cup to be received by Racing Victoria by Tuesday's noon deadline. Melbourne Cup entries close early next month.
Last year's beaten Melbourne Cup favourite Vauban also qualified for the spring Cups in Melbourne via his Ballyroan Stakes win of 12 months ago.