Hungarian-bred galloper Esti Feny will chase a start in the second of the two major spring Cups after securing a Caulfield Cup start at Mornington.
Success in the Listed Mornington Cup (2400m) on Saturday gives Esti Feny a ballot exemption into the Group 1 Caulfield Cup (2400m) in October.
Trainer Matthew Smith will now chase a ballot exemption for the Group 1 Melbourne Cup (3200m) at Flemington in November via the Listed Andrew Ramsden Stakes (2800m) at Flemington next month.
An outsider at $31 under Daniel Stackhouse, Esti Feny appreciated the solid tempo set by Deny Knowledge in registering a 1-1/4 length win over Little Mix ($8.50) with Strawberry Rock ($6.50) a half-length away third.
ESTI FENY CAUSES A HUGE UPSET IN THE MORNINGTON CUP! 😱
— 7HorseRacing 🐎 (@7horseracing) April 20, 2024
THE NINE-YEAR-OLD WINS A TICKET INTO THE CAULFIELD CUP!@mcsmithracing @DanielStack33 pic.twitter.com/r8eEJSDAr4
Smith said Esti Feny would return to his farm in NSW to prepare for the Andrew Ramsden.
"He loves the farm life up here and it will be great to see if he can get a start in the Melbourne Cup as well," Smith said from Randwick.
"We'll be definitely there for the Caulfield Cup.
"It was good to see him settle today, and he runs a strong mile-and-a-half, and I don't think the trip will be a bother in the Andrew Ramsden."
Smith had his first runner in the Melbourne Cup last year with True Marvel finishing in eighth position.
Esti Feny started his career in Hungary and won the Hungarian Derby in 2018 before making his way to Australia in 2019.
Smith praised Stackhouse for his ride on Esti Feny and importantly getting the gelding to settle.
Stackhouse spoke to Smith, who was in Sydney saddling Buenos Noches in the Group 1 All-Aged Stakes at Randwick, on race morning.
"He said make sure he switches off, put him out the back and let him finish off.
"He did that, and he gave us a nice run in transit.
"Deny Knowledge set a really good tempo and everything sat off her and I was a little bit concerned that we were a little far back.
"I saw First Immortal was under pressure, so I was able to sneak through and once I got out, I was surprised how quickly he moved into the race, and I thought I was going to win this.
"It's quite exciting."