Melbourne Cup Dream Alive For Perth Part-Owner
The Melbourne Cup. It’s a race that stops the nation.
It’s an intrinsic part of Australia’s sporting and cultural landscape since the first race was won by Archer in 1861.
Australia’s iconic race on the first Tuesday in November is one that is intensely sought after by national and international trainers, jockeys and owners.
For Perth part-owner, Chris Blackwell, since the Flemington card last Saturday, he has been consumed about winning the Melbourne Cup.
He was granted that luxury after his horse Oceanex won the Listed Ramsden Stakes (2800m) and gained automatic entry into the great race.
Assured of a certain spot, Blackwell can now sit back and for the next six month’s a least, dare to dream of winning the iconic race.
A life-long ambition is within his grasp. A race that was a distant dream before the Ramsden last weekend, has swiftly turned to reality.
“It was quite emotional,” Blackwell told The Races WA.
“It’s been surreal and has been ever since the weekend.
“It’s a lifelong dream come true, there is no doubt.
“Words still fail me.”
Racing is not just an interest for Blackwell, it’s a passion. He has lived and breathed the sport for more than 30 years.
Aside from ownership, he’s also a keen form student and respected tipster on ozrace.com.au.
Casting aside sentiment, Blackwell says Oceanex, trained by Mick Price and Michael Kent at Caulfield, isn’t in the Melbourne Cup just to make up the numbers.
He rates her staying credentials highly. That assessment validated after she won the Port Adelaide Cup (2500m) in Adelaide before stepping up in distance in the Ramsden Stakes.
Last year she earned Group 2 status after taking out the Matriarch Stakes (2000m) at Flemington.
“She is bred to be a stayer,” Blackwell said.
“I always thought from day dot that she was a stayer in the making and could be something special.”
As part of Oz Racing syndication, Blackwell is keen to catch up with a big cast of Oceanex owners in Melbourne later in the year.
That meeting is dependent on Covid-19 travel restrictions being eased by state authorities and a relaxation of on-course attendance rules.
Blackwell is sweating on the outcome.
“It’s up in the air, but at this point in time I’m sitting back and will wait until next month,” Blackwell said.
“With what is going on things are changing quite rapidly.
“But there are a few family and friends who are keen to go over.
“It will be disappointing if we can’t, but at the end of the day we might have a bit of a get together anyway, or a bigger get together at home.”
Could anything top Oceanex’s win? Not really. But a Playing God four-year-old in Perth ensured Blackwell remained in a celebratory mood.
If you get an opportunity to win one race as an owner you grab it. If you happened to win two than you are privileged. If you win two on the same day across two states you are blessed.
Not long after Oceanex won in Melbourne, Blackwell’s festive disposition continued when Bruce Almighty got up to win a 1400m handicap at Ascot.
“It was ridiculous,” Blackwell said.
“As an owner you are lucky to get one win every now and then, let alone two in one day.
“Gee whiz he won well.”
Julio Santarelli