Silent Surrente pursues Melbourne Cup ticket in Listed Roy Higgins at Flemington

A golden ticket into November’s $8.5 million Melbourne Cup is on the line for the 11 runners contesting Saturday’s Listed Roy Higgins (2600m) at Flemington, with Silent Surrente a $7.50 chance with Sportsbet.

The Fiorente mare has had one start at 2600m, a runner-up finish to Gotta Go Guru, and the two-mile journey – once cause for concern – now looms as a strength should the mare push on to the race that stops the nation.

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“I had a bit of a worry about it (3200m), I was a little surprised to be honest,” O’Shea, who trains in partnership with Will Clarken, said.

“She really galloped through the line, that was a bit of a query beforehand.

“Once she pulled up well, we weren’t quite sure but after a couple of days we saw she was fine and it (Roy Higgins) was a pretty easy decision after that.

“A Melbourne Cup run would be unreal, you only dream about things like that, it would be fantastic.”

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Freshened up following her $300,000 Adelaide Cup victory, Silent Surrente will rub shoulders with race favourite and star on the rise, Deakin, while Adelaide Cup runner-up Newfoundland also takes his place in the Roy Higgins field.

“I’m happy with her, she’s fit and well, obviously it’s going to be a tough race but we’re hopeful,” O’Shea said.

“I’m confident she’ll be competitive, obviously the horse of Stokesy’s is a bit of a standout. At the same time, I think she’ll be in the mix.”

Central to Silent Surrente’s remarkable Adelaide Cup win was star apprentice Rochelle Milnes, who will miss Melbourne Cup qualifier due to suspension.

Champion jockey Craig Williams partners Silent Surrente for the first time from barrier eight.

“It’s a pity she (Rochelle) can’t ride her, she rode her beautiful the other day,” he said.

“Obviously Craig is riding in top form at the moment, he’s a good replacement.”

• Aviatress embarks on Group 1 campaign in Listed Matrice Stakes

The staying mare is one of three gallopers Clarken and O’Shea take across the border for Saturday, with Extremely Lucky and La Defense also entered on the ten-race card.

La Defense resumes after more than a year on the sidelines but the gelding has an imposing fresh record with four wins from six starts.

“La Defense has had a few problems, but he’s a very talented horse so we took our time trying to get him back right,’ O’Shea said.

“He’s going well at the moment so we’re very happy with him – hopefully he can run well.”

Stablemates Favourite Child and Boognish line up in Saturday’s Listed Matrice Stakes at Morphettville. The stable is hopeful of an improved showing from Boognish ($27), while Favourite Child ($34) may need the run first-up.

Originally published as Silent Surrente pursues Melbourne Cup ticket in Listed Roy Higgins at Flemington