Before the European influx, New Zealand stayers were the ones to fear in Australia’s feature staying races.

Saturday’s The Bart Cummings (2500m) at Flemington offers a ‘win and you’re in’ ticket to the Melbourne Cup (3200m), and five of the 17 runners hail from New Zealand.

Among them is Auckland Cup winner Trav, prepared by former amateur jumps jockey Raymond Connors.
“We’ve come a long way and it’s great to be here, but we’ll see how we go on Saturday,” Connors said.
“This horse might not be up to it, but we might not get another chance. He seems to stay the distance.”

Trav has won six of 28 starts and is being aimed at the Geelong Cup if he misses automatic entry.

Fellow Kiwi Mark Twain also resumes his Cup journey after injury derailed his campaign last year. Trainer Robert Wellwood said the gelding is “very sound and healthy” as connections chase another chance at the famous race.