Melbourne Cup-qualified American stayer Parchment Party has boosted potential Flemington claims with a second stakes win in New York.
The Pin Oak Stud-owned four-year-old son of Constitution, trained by Bill Mott, on Thursday (AEST) won the Listed Birdstone Stakes (2800m) at Saratoga.
Parchment Party won a Melbourne Cup golden ticket in June with a victory in the Group 3 Belmont Gold Cup Invitational (2800m).
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Owner Dana Bernhard, of Pin Oak Stud, told the Saratoga Live broadcast “it’s our plan” when asked about possible Melbourne spring carnival participation.
Pin Oak Stud-owned World Beater, trained by Mott’s son Riley, coincidently won the Cox Plate-qualifying Group 1 Saratoga Derby Invitational last week.
The interest in two horses qualified for Australia’s biggest races could sweeten the cost and logistics to travel from the US to Melbourne via quarantine at Newmarket, UK.
“We’re leaning in that (Melbourne) direction,” Bill Mott told Saratoga Live.
“We’re trying to make all the early plans that we need to make.”
Parchment Party could become the first US-trained horse to start in the Melbourne Cup.
Five US-bred horses have won a Melbourne Cup with French-trained Australian-owned Americain the most recent in 2010.
Victoria Racing Club chief racing officer Leigh Jordon welcomed Parchment Party’s progress.
“It was great to see Parchment Party win the Birdstone Stakes and the excitement from the ownership group following the race,” Jordon said.
“They are currently looking at travel options for the horse and the prospect of Parchment Party becoming the first American-trained horse to run in the Lexus Melbourne Cup has created an incredible buzz.
“We’re proud to have strengthened our relationship with the New York Racing Association by making the Belmont Gold Cup a golden ticket into the Lexus Melbourne Cup. It is part of the (VRC’s) ongoing commitment to growing the international reach of the race and build meaningful relationships across the world.”
Originally published as Melbourne Cup plans grow for US stayer Parchment Party
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