Count Octave has everything it takes for the Melbourne Cup says Balding

Andrew Balding believes Count Octave has all the makings of a successful Melbourne Cup horse – provided he passes a qualifying run at York.

The four-year-old would be the trainer’s first runner in the showcase at Flemington, where he won the Group 1 Mackinnon Stakes with Side Glance in 2013.

Speaking at his Park House Stables on Monday, as part of the Lexus Melbourne Cup Tour of Britain and Ireland, Balding said: “You don’t travel the distance unless you believe you’re going to be competitive and I believe Count Octave has everything you’d want in a runner.

“The problem is he's probably short on the ratings side, so we need some luck with our campaign to get him in the race. His likely route will be either the Lonsdale Cup or Ebor."

He continued: “It's a real bonus to be able to call on Oisin Murphy, who I believe is one of the top ten jockeys in Europe, although I may be biased as he started out here.”

Murphy landed his first British Group 1 in the Coral-Eclipse at Sandown a week last Saturday on Roaring Lion and has already spent time in Australia, which he believes could give him an edge.

“It’s the most important race in the southern hemisphere and is high on my wish-list,” he said. “I’ve won a Listed race over course and distance and know what to expect – it's important to have a horse who switches off easily.

“The horses Count Octave ran against this season have run in major staying races and he travelled beautifully, but didn’t quite stay, so dropping back in distance will suit, and he’s such an easy horse to ride.”

Sheikh Fahad, who owns Count Octave with his brothers under the Qatar Racing banner, won the Melbourne Cup in 2011 with Dunaden, in the colours of his Pearl Bloodstock.

His racing manager David Redvers said: “I know Sheikh Fahad would love to win the Melbourne Cup in the colours of Qatar Racing. Count Octave has some good form that ties in with some real Group 1 horses, so hopefully we can get to that stage safe and sound.”

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