Melbourne Cup Plans for Gorky Park

17th May 2008

Champion sire Montjeu has been enjoying a winning roll in Australia of late and added another stakes-winner to the tally on Saturday at Flemington when Gorky Park (4h Montjeu x Steluta, by Defensive Play) thrashed his rivals to win the Listed VRC Ramsden Stakes in a breeze.

A quality three year-old last season, who won the Listed Geelong Classic and finished second to Melbourne Cup hero Efficient in the Group One VRC Victoria Derby, Gorky Park showed he was back to his very best with a facile five length victory in the 3200 metre event.

"The Efficient form is pretty good isn't it," said winning trainer David Hayes, referring to Gorky Park’s Derby second as a three year-old.

"When he hits a mile-and-a-half he goes from a welter horse to a Group horse. He's relaxing now and last week just topped him off for this and he came off the track bucking on Saturday morning.

"We're pretty excited about this horse, so we'll set him for the Melbourne Cup."

Gorky Park was purchased by part-owner Les Samba for $360,000 from the draft of Little Avondale Stud at the 2005 NZB Premier Yearling Sale and is from the Defensive Play mare Steluta, a half-sister to Group One winner Galroof.

The entire has proven a good investment in returning $820,750 in prizemoney in winning four races and placing seven times from 20 starts and it would seem the best is yet to come.