Revelare eyeing Melbourne Cup at Flemington after fifth straight win

Robert Hickmott’s Revelare continued his strong form this horse racing season at Flemington on Saturday. The four-year-old gelding finished first in the Racing And Sports 2000, Benchmark 84 event. He has now won five straight races since December, including two straight at Flemington.

It is too early to say what level Revelare will reach as he matures. However, Hickmott and jockey Ryan Hurdle hope to test the gelding in Group 1 races very soon.

Favourite lives up to the hype

Following his previous four wins, Revelare was the betting favourite heading into this weekend’s Benchmark 84 event.

Most betting sites gave the gelding $1.85 chances to win the Racing And Sports 2000. Revelare lived up to the hype with a convincing win.

Hickmott’s gelding won by 0.75 lengths over Mick Price & Michael Kent Jr’s Bur Dubai. Annabel Neasham’s Perfect Play led the pack around the final turn and managed to finish third.

What the jockey said

Ryan Hurdle has been riding Revelare all throughout this season. The Kiwi knows first-hand what the gelding can do. However, he revealed after the race that even he is stunned by Revelare’s recent success.

“If you asked me 12 months ago if I’d be riding odds-on shots at Flemington on a Saturday, I would’ve laughed at you,” Hurdle said following Revelare’s win on Saturday.

“It’s a massive step up from Morphettville, this horse fills me with such confidence the more he does.

“He’s in good hands and he keeps delivering which makes my job easier.

“At the same time, he’s building a bigger following every time he goes around, so there are more eyes on his races and a bit of added pressure.

“Not that it bothers me, I try to keep it business as usual on raceday.”

Hickmott praised his jockey after the race.

“He’s a cool kid…I’m very happy for the kid. The ownership group are thrilled with him and he won’t be coming off any time in the near future,” he said.

Trainer laying the groundwork for 2025 Melbourne Cup run

Trainer Robert Hickmott didn’t want to get too ahead of himself after Saturday’s race. However, he did reveal what he has planned next for his gelding.

Hickmott revealed that Revelare will either race in a 2000m run at Caulfield next weekend or in a 2400m event at Caulfield the following week.

“Maybe we'll have a look at next week for the Australian Cup Prelude rather than going to Caulfield the next week. He'll tell us,” Hickmott said.

Both options would ultimately just be preparation for Revelare’s real goal: the Listed Roy Higgins at Flemington on March 29.

“We’ll weigh up those options. I’d rather keep him to the big open expanses of Flemington, so cross our fingers that he pulls up well,” Hickmott said.

Winning the Listed Roy Higgins would earn Revelare an automatic entry into next year’s Melbourne Cup, Hickmott and his team are treating it as the biggest race of their season so far.