Melbourne option for Flag

Horse Racing
Melbourne option for Flag

Aidan O’Brien has hinted that Flag Of Honour could contest the Melbourne Cup after taking the honours in Sunday’s Irish St Leger.

The son of Galileo made it three wins in as many outings at the Curragh, striding home by two-and-three-quarter-lengths ahead of Latrobe.


It helped complete a successful weekend for the Ballydoyle handler and jockey Ryan Moore, with the pair also tasting victory in Saturday’s St Leger at Doncaster thanks to Kew Gardens, doing the double for the second straight year.


Connections are now eyeing potential runs before the end of the season and the colt currently holds entries for both the Loughbrown Stakes and the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe.


November’s Melbourne Cup is also an option and O’Brien admits he has been encouraged by the three-year-old’s progress, although a trip Down Under could depend on his fitness after a busy few months.


‘He really blossomed when we upped him in trip, and that was his third course-and-distance win,’ O’Brien said.

‘He’s now won a Group 2, Group 3 and Group 1 over the distance, and has been progressing all the time.


‘Ryan said he’s a very uncomplicated horse and a very genuine one and that he really quickened when he wanted him to.

‘
When quizzed on the Melbourne Cup, he added: ‘He’s entered but we’ll wait and see – he’s had quite a busy time.’

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