A Group Two Brisbane Cup has rarely served as a consolation for a missed opportunity. But Robbie Lang has decided to run a three year old in Saturday’s Brisbane Cup Field and not by choice.
But Melbourne trainer Robbie Laing says Saturday’s Eagle Farm 2400m race is the perfect back-up for the three-year-old Falamonte.
Laing originally planned to run Falamonte in the Group One Queensland Oaks last Saturday but the filly was balloted out of the race.
A chance phone call from Queensland-based trainer John Meagher, who is looking after the filly, prompted Laing to enter Falamonte in the Brisbane Cup.
“When she missed the Oaks ballot, I said to John, `just keep her ticking over and I’ll find a mile-and-a-half race,” Laing said.
“John rang back and said the Brisbane Cup entries were still open so I entered her hoping there might only be six or seven (runners) in it.”
Bookmakers have Falamonte as a $101 outsider in Brisbane Cup betting and Laing agrees with their assessment, giving his charge little chance of causing a boilover.
But the Cranbourne horseman said Falamonte could finish in the first five if things went her way in the $300,000 contest.
Laing has booked jockey Tim Bell to partner Falamonte in the Brisbane Cup but will keep riding instructions simple for the Queensland Oaks-winning rider.
“Tim is going to sit back and let it all happen in front of him,” Laing said.
“She’s a promising horse and if she can run in the first four or five, I’ll be stoked.”
Laing said Falamonte would spell in Queensland after the Brisbane Cup before returning to training for spring staying races.