Prodigal Son, a 5yo bay colt by Majestic Son and Wild Spirit, is among the 3rd acceptances for the Emirates Melbourne Cup. Currently quoted at $81 for the Melbourne Cup, he has been the target of many small long odds bets in the past week reports bookmaker Bruce McNamara. "People have backed him because of his ability to run 2 miles and fairly honest, but amazingly there haven't been any win bets placed". That would probably be due to the appearance of the legend Heat Seeker, who won a hard fought horse of the year vote last year over Regal Son. "Heat Seeker is quoted at $2.20 and no one seems to want to bet against him, Fin LaFleur thinks he'll get 2 miles no worry and that's good enough for me" said McNamara at the Manikato Stakes barrier draw at Moonee Valley yesterday.
Ben Cornish was in an exclusive interview yesterday with Joshua Kayll on the popular racing show Spring Stayers on TVN. "He (Prodigal Son) will be ultimately aimed at the Melbourne Cup but we're not ruling anything out. We are planing to start him first up in a mile handicap in Adelaide, and we might go onto the Feehan and Metropolitan Handicap before that". He is not going to run in the Caulfield Cup saying that the class is too hard for him shorter then 2 miles. "At 2 miles he could probably run into a place at his absolute best but he's never been at great competition and hes failed at times but I reckon he could be a late peaker" commented Cornish. "I think if he hits a front in a Melbourne Cup he'll be hard to run down but really we're all running for second with the emergence of Heat Seeker and all".
Prodigal Son hasn't been bred to get the two miles with his father being Majestic Son who struggled to get 10 furlongs, but one of his daughters is the Melbourne Cup winner Ride The Sun who is one of the best around over 2 miles. His mother is Wild Spirit who was very effective around the 2000m mark.
Other runners that Cornish is looking forward to running is Makybe Power and Dancin In The Dark. Makybe Power amazingly is a sprinter on his AR despite both parents being champion 2 milers but Cornish said he didn't care as long as he had the heart and power of both of them when he finally races in 2014. Dancin In The Dark is his most consistent horse who will be aimed at races around 1200m to 1400m. Amazingly, Cornish reckons he doesn't make the 1400m despite being placed at Group 1 level at the distance and several good runs at the distance. Still, the "old warhorse" will bring in the money for his lucky connections every start it seems.
Meanwhile, the champion Heat Seeker will have a light campaign coming into the cups with a possible overseas campaign early in the spring for the rescheduled Japan Cup in September. The race is after weights are released so Heat Seeker won't receive a penalty. He may run in the Turnbull along the way.
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