Vintage Port on path to Cup

Peachtree Stable’s Tawny Port delivered a strong staying performance to win the G2 Belmont Gold Cup, at Saratoga.
The victory secured the seven-year-old a coveted golden ticket into the G1 Melbourne Cup, which will be staged on November 3.

Trained by Miguel Clement, Tawny Port notched his first victory since 2023, holding off Navy Seal to win by 2.5 lengths in a track-record time of 3:17.75, eclipsing the previous mark set in 2024.

“It’s one of the biggest world races so if you have the opportunity to give it a chance, you have to go for it. He would also maybe be the first Kentucky Derby starter and Melbourne Cup runner which hasn’t been done before,” Clement said.  

VRC CEO Kylie Rogers congratulated the owners of Tawny Port for securing their passage to Flemington.

“It was fantastic to have the 2026 Lexus Melbourne Cup trophy trackside at Saratoga Racecourse as part of the Lexus Melbourne Cup Tour on Thursday and witness Tawny Port win the Belmont Gold Cup. Congratulations to the connections on their win and we look forward to welcoming you to Flemington in November,” Rogers said. 

The race was commentated by Victorian-based broadcaster Matt Hill, who will call the Melbourne Cup later this year.