KEY POINTS:
A jubilant Levin trainer Peter McKenzie was celebrating his first Melbourne Cup runner after Sculptor overcame pre-race drama to win the Group Three A$250,000 ($304,285) Saab Quality (2500m) at Flemington yesterday.
Aided by a gun ride from New Zealand jockey Lisa Cropp, Sculptor gained automatic entry to Tuesday's big race with an upset long-neck victory over the favourite, former New Zealand-trained stayer The Fuzz.
Sculptor was 27th in order of entry yesterday and needed to win to ensure a spot. A 1kg rehandicap for the win means he will carry 52kg in the Cup and also give Cropp her first ride in the A$5 million epic.
McKenzie, the breeder, owner and trainer, screamed the horse home from the birdcage, leaping in the air when they passed the post under dark, cloudy skies at a packed Flemington.
"Sorry I'm just speechless," he said. "I think he's a super horse but I own him so I'm biased. He's a tough dude, he really is. He fought like a tiger up the straight."
He was the last Cup contender to arrive in Melbourne, at odds of $250 on Wednesday, and was shortened to $26 by TAB Sportsbet after the win.
"I'm very excited about his chances," said McKenzie, adding Sculptor would improve "lengths" if the track was wet on Tuesday.
There were anxious moments when Sculptor reared in the barriers and got his legs over the front, nicking The Fuzz on the neck in the next stall.
"He doesn't like these overhead gates at all. He missed the start by 15 lengths in the Brisbane Cup [in June]." McKenzie will ask stewards if Sculptor can be loaded last on Tuesday to help settle him down.
McKenzie paid tribute to a "wonderful ride" by Cropp, which he said won the race.
From a handy barrier, Cropp trailed tearaway leader Cefalu, angled him out approaching the turn and still had Sculptor on a nice rein at the 400m.
The Fuzz loomed up but Sculptor was holding him at the line, paying $24.90 to win on the Victorian TAB.
"It was a pretty soft win and I didn't have to go for him until late," Cropp said.
It was Cropp's first ride in Melbourne since she was criticised for her sixth aboard star filly Miss Finland in the Cox Plate a year ago.
Two female jockeys feature for the first time in the 147-year history of Australasia's most glamorous race. Clare Lindop will partner Dolphin Jo.
Mandela, trained in Auckland by Richard Yuill, ran sixth and will be aimed at another race in the Spring Carnival.
- NZPA
