Tiberian firms for Melbourne Cup following Deauville win

Darryl Sherer - Monday August 28

Tiberian firmed in betting for the 2017 Melbourne Cup following his victory in Sunday's Group II Grand Prix de Deauville (2500m).

Tiberian (inside) winning the Prix de Reux. Photo: France Galop

Tiberian defeated Doha Dream last time out in the Group III Prix de Reux over 2500m at Deauville when leading most of the way and the pair fought out the finish again at the weekend.

Olivier Peslier made a forward move at halfway to position Tiberian in third place as Mille Et Mille set a slow speed.

The race developed into a sprint home, Doha Dream taking the lead 400m out with Peslier challenging inside the final 200m and coaxing Tiberian to a short neck victory under 60kg.

Godolphin-owned Frontiersman, an early favourite for the 2017 Melbourne Cup, was last around the home turn and passed one horse on the run in, the trip completed in 2:44.68 on a track rated good.

Now part-owned by Australian Thoroughbred Bloodstock, the Alain Couetil-trained Tiberian earned €114,000 ($A171,157) for the win and has won four of his five starts in 2017.

ATB principal Darren Dance said the horse has exceeded expectations this year.

"We think we've got the right horse at the right time," Dance said. "We bought into the horse in December last year thinking this horse would be the one for the race in 2018 but since then we lost Heartbreak City and Tiberian has been brilliant this preparation."

Dance said a decision on who rides Tiberian in Australia will be made when weights are declared.

"We were thinking he might get around 54kg before Sunday's win but things might change now," Dance said. "If he was to get 55kg then it opens up the range for a lot more jockeys so we'll just wait and see.

"I like riders who have ridden in the race, are aware of Australian racing and the tactics so we'll just see how things go with the weight."

Couetil told Equidia the five-year-old entire is still improving.

"Last time, with so few runners, I left tactics to Olivier and he made all but today I asked him to wait and get cover because he is better being ridden like that," Couetil said.

"He has a good turn of foot and knows how to quicken, plus he loves fast ground and gives me the impression he is getting better and better.

"He enters quarantine in Newmarket on September 13 and two weeks later will fly to Australia to prepare for the Melbourne Cup."

Nominations for the 2017 Melbourne Cup close at midday on Tuesday. Sportsbet has Tiberian available at $21 with Almandin now favourite at $15.

You can watch the race below, Tiberian in the blue jacket, pink sleeves.

Advertisment
More Reading...
Bargain Basement Mare Aureus Angel Storms to Victory in Bright Shadow Stakes
Purchased online for a mere $2,500 after breaking her maiden at Kembla, the Turffontein mare Aureus Angel has been a regular fixture in stakes races in Queensland this season and was rewarded at Doomben on Saturday when capturing the Magic Millions Bright Shadow Stakes (1100m).
Sires With Winners - Saturday May 18
Here is the full list of 115 stallions which had winners throughout Australasia today with winners and result details.
New SW For Proisir
Islington Lass could have Group One goals on her radar after capping her breakthrough campaign with victory in Saturday’s Listed James Bull Rangitikei Cup (1600m) at Trentham.
Invincible Filly Proves Her Class
She’s big and beautiful and I Am Invincible’s super talented filly Commemorative has long promised to win a stakes race and joined all the dots at Scone on Saturday finishing like an express train to win the $200,000 Listed Denise’s Joy Stakes (1100m) in a breeze.
Tannhauser Breaks Through in Rough Habit Stakes
After promising so much early on, Tannhauser was not spared the surgeon’s knife, which may set him on a track to the Queensland Derby following his dominant performance in Saturday’s Group III Seven Rough Habit Plate (2000m) at Doomben.
Sacred Falls Mare Wins G3 Dark Jewel for Waikato Stud
In-form mare Fall For Cindy carried the Waikato Stud colours to a valuable first black-type victory in Saturday’s A$250,000 Gr.3 Coolmore Dark Jewel Classic (1400m) at Scone.
The Melbourne Cup is on The Map for Andrew Ramsden Stakes Winner
A fortnight after her near four-length romp in the Group III Queen Elizabeth II Cup (2500m) at Morphettville, The Map reserved a spot in the 2024 Melbourne Cup with another strong staying performance in Saturday's Listed Lexus Andrew Ramsden Stakes (2800m) at Flemington.
New SW for Per Incanto - Gringotts Wins at Doomben
New Zealand-bred gelding Gringotts took his promising career to new heights in Brisbane on Saturday with a first black-type success in the A$160,000 Listed Sky Racing Members’ Handicap (1600m) at Doomben.
Pedigree Watch – UK – Another G1 Upset
Renowned UK farm Cheveley Park Stud were expected to win the Group I Al Shaqab Lockinge Stakes (1m) at Newbury overnight with a homebred and they did, but not with the one punters were thinking.
Bella Nipotina Wins G1 Doomben 10,000
Pride of Dubai mare Bella Nipotina has been a busy girl this year lining up in five million dollar sprint races before heading to Doomben for the $1.5million BRC Doomben 10,000 (1200m) on Saturday and the Ciaron Maher trained six year-old pulled out her A game to down the favourite I Wish I Win in a thriller.