Twenty-four hours later at Deauville, the Joseph O’Brien trained Defiantly stamped his ticket into the Lexus Melbourne Cup in emphatic fashion, running away to a dominant victory in the Group 2 Sumbe Prix Kergorlay under a brilliant ride from Dylan Browne McMonagle.
Owned by Australian Bloodstock, the victory hopes to emulate the path of 2014 Australian Bloodstock horse Protectionist, who also won the Kergorlay before going on to claim Flemington’s greatest prize.
Joseph O’Brien who is hoping to win his third Lexus Melbourne Cup was thrilled after the win.
“He stays forever, so today was another step up because he came down in distance and up in class but he’s a nice horse.” O’Brien said.
“The Kergorlay is a good trial for the Melbourne Cup so I think that might be a legitimate possibility. I am grateful that some of the owners made the trip up for today so I am sure that they will enjoy a couple of days in Deauville and celebrate a winner.”
Jockey Dylan Browne McMonagle said that Defiantly was a strong Lexus Melbourne Cup chance.
“He’s a lovely horse, I asked him to come forward a long way out but I knew that he was going to get the trip well and he kept finding for me and he was a good winner.”
“He is a horse that keeps on improving and the sky is the limit for these kind of trips.”
“They will definitely have their eye on one race coming at the end of the year, so I am sure that’s the plan with him now to go there, he’s a good fun horse and I’m sure they will have plenty more fun days ahead with him.”
When asked whether he would suit a Lexus Melbourne Cup, Browne McMonagle was confident.
“No doubt. He handles quick ground and he gets the trip well. He is very laid back, I don’t think the occasion would get to him which is key down there because a lot of horses can get a little over the top a bit in the paddock. He’s a laid back customer and I think he shows all the right signs.”
