Efficient aimed at Melbourne Cup repeat
15 March 2008 – Last year's Melbourne Cup victor, Efficient had his first and only autumn start in the Blamey Stakes at Flemington on Saturday as part of his stable's strategy to have him at peak form for this year's Spring Carnival with focus on a Melbourne Cup double.With victory in the $352,000 1600-metre assignment a secondary objective, the champion stayer only managed to finish 11th in the race and was uncharacteristically edgy before the start, entering the gates last. He did however settle nicely and ran an 11.33 second final 200-metre sectional, the fastest of the race.
The race was won by Geelong Cup winner The Fuzz ($17.00), followed by Barlinnie ($9.00) in second and Orange County ($6.00) in third. Efficient started the race at $12.00.
It is important to note that Efficient's last two wins were over 2500-metres and 3200-metres respectively and victory in an on-pace event over 1600-metre was always going to be a tough ask. In fact, the striking grey gelding hasn't won over a mile since 2006.
As the 2007 Melbourne Cup champion, his place in this year's Melbourne Cup is secure and Efficient will now be spelled in preparation for the $5 million event.
Efficient may already have his place in the 2008 Melbourne Cup in the bag, but competition to participate in the iconic race is intense. Last season 31,419 raced across the nation and there are just twenty-four places available in the Melbourne Cup field.
To qualify for the Melbourne Cup, horses must meet a challenging set of Melbourne Cup elimination clauses, the first of which requires horses to win $60,000 in a flat race of 2300-metres or more.
Add to this that this year's Melbourne Cup will see the return of an international field to the race, following last year's horse quarantine lockdown due to the equine flu crisis, and qualification for the Cup becomes even harder.
Delta Blues, a Japanese stayer, won the 2006 Melbourne Cup and you can expect the talent from abroad to once again have a significant impact on the race – creating an even more thrilling contest. Given his focused Melbourne Cup preparation, Efficient will be well poised to take on the world's best and possibly claim his second Melbourne Cup victory.
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