Dubai and Melbourne on Cross Counter’s radar again
Appleby has high hopes for globe-trotting star in 2021.
The Dubai Gold Cup and the Melbourne Cup will again be high on the agenda in 2021 for Charlie Appleby’s Cross Counter. The five-year-old became the first British-trained winner of the Melbourne Cup in 2018 – and added the Dubai Gold Cup to his big-race CV the following March. Cross Counter ran just three times this year, finishing fifth in Saudi Arabia before returning to Britain to take third in the Gold Cup at Royal Ascot and in the Henry II Stakes at Sandown. Appleby hopes his charge can bounce back to his best next season. “Off the back of Twilight Payment winning the Melbourne Cup at the age of seven, hopefully there is still a bit of life left in Cross Counter,” he said. “To win the Melbourne Cup as three-year-old is a tough gig to do. He went back and put up another good performance in the race last year (finished eighth), and I just felt this year during the summer he showed the signs of fatigue, so therefore we knocked his season on the head and gave him the rest of the summer off. “He is out in Dubai getting some sunshine, and we will start his campaign there. I’d probably say the Dubai Gold Cup would be his main early-year aim. “It’s hard for him to run in those handicaps with big weights like he did in that race in Saudi Arabia last year, so I’d think we will aim for the Dubai Gold Cup. “If he can rekindle his form he will be competitive in that – then longer term, we might work back from a Melbourne Cup with him.”Follow us on Twitter racing365dotcom and like our Facebook page.
Latest
-
Emily Upjohn ‘in top form’ for Coronation Cup repeat bid
John and Thady Gosden’s mare impressively landed the Epsom Group One last year.
-
Wathnan eyeing Gold Cup repeat with star staying duo
All roads lead to Royal Ascot for Courage Mon Ami and Gregory.
-
Haya Zark belies big odds to claim Prix Ganay glory
Al Riffa was a fair fourth for Joseph O’Brien in ParisLongchamp Group One.
-
Prydwen tees up Northumberland Plate tilt with Southwell strike
‘The Plate is over a course and distance he’s won over, so it’s an absolute no-brainer.’
-
Racing saddened by death of ‘warrior’ Shishkin
Nicky Henderson: ‘He was our star and we will never forget him.’
-
Nicholls remains confident ‘we will make it 15 one day’
Ditcheat handler had to settle for third place in this season’s title race.
-
Romantic Warrior reigns again but Golden Sixty upset
There were mixed fortunes for Hong Kong’s two superstars on Champions Day.
-
Nicholls remains confident ‘we will make it 15 one day’
Ditcheat handler had to settle for third place in this season’s title race.
-
Recently-retired trio grateful for Sandown tribute
Paddy Brennan, Jamie Moore and Aidan Coleman all honoured at Esher track.