Derby winner makes the Cup field
It isn’t unusual to see a Victoria Derby winner feature in the Melbourne Cup, but an English Derby winner is uncommon.
That is why Serpentine, although rated a $61 chance for Tuesday, adds that extra element to the 2022 Cup.
Winless since taking out the Derby at Epsom in July 2020, the five-year-old has been a work-in-progress for Melbourne Cup-winning trainer Robert Hickmott and Serpentine’s second-placing in the Group 2 Archer Stakes (2500m) tops his preparation for the Cup.
Serpentine will jump from barrier 23 with 2021 Victoria Derby-winning hoop John Allen aboard.
Linlithgow winner could follow-up in Champions Mile
The Linlithgow Stakes was for many years on the Oaks Day card and similarly for much of that time run over 1200 metres.
As such, it very rarely played out as a pathway towards the Cantala Stakes which will feature in 2022 as the Group 1 Champions Mile.
With the Linlithgow now finding a place on the Derby Day schedule and over 1400 metres, winner Old Flame could step out again in the Mile on Saturday.
“It’s certainly something we’ve always thought of so it’s always in the back of our mind,” co-trainer Paul Snowden said.
“I think what this weather does in the next 4-6 days will determine if we run or not.”
Old Flame is at $15 with TAB in their pre-final field market.