Wathnan targets Melbourne Cup with Hopewell Rock

Wathnan Racing is preparing Hopewell Rock to be its first Australian runner in the Lexus Melbourne Cup at Flemington on November 3.

The George Boughey-trained four-year-old is due to enter quarantine at Newmarket in about two weeks, with Sydney-based jockey Zac Lloyd being considered for the ride. Wathnan’s retained jockey, James Doyle, cannot make Hopewell Rock’s expected weight.

Wathnan adviser Richard Brown said Lloyd’s stint with Boughey in Britain this year had made him a logical option.

“Zac Lloyd was riding for George here in the summer so we’re hoping we can get him for the ride but we’ll know more nearer the time,” Brown told the Racing Post.

Lloyd rode seven winners from 35 mounts during his working holiday in June, headed by Moonfall’s Britannia Handicap victory at Royal Ascot.

Hopewell Rock earned his Melbourne Cup qualification by finishing a head behind Daiquiri Bay in the 2787-metre Ebor Handicap at York. His British Horseracing Authority rating was subsequently raised by 4lb to 109.

The gelding was bought privately by Wathnan earlier this season. He finished sixth at Royal Ascot before winning the 1m6f Summer Handicap at Glorious Goodwood and then running second in the Ebor.

“We were delighted with Hopewell Rock’s run in the Ebor. George and his team have been delighted with him since then and they say he really comes to himself in the autumn,” Brown said.

“The Melbourne Cup is an iconic global race and targeting races like this is what Wathnan is striving to do,” Brown said. “It’s a huge challenge shipping to the other side of the world but it’s a hugely exciting one and we’re all looking forward to it.”