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Racing

Birdman flies to Blamey success

Birdman has bounced back from an unlucky first-up performance to claim the Blamey Stakes at Flemington.

BIRDMAN winning the TAB Blamey Stakes at Flemington in Australia.
BIRDMAN winning the TAB Blamey Stakes at Flemington in Australia. Picture: Racing Photos

The Australian Cup looms as a target for Birdman after an impressive victory in a Stakes race at Flemington. 

The Group 2 Blamey Stakes (1600m) on Saturday was the Chris Waller-trained galloper's second outing following a spell and showed the former UK galloper is in for a good autumn. 

With Ben Melham  riding the $3.50 favourite, Birdman strode clear over the final 100m to score by 1-¾ lengths from Enxuto ($7) with Mark Twain ($101) a half-head away third. 

Birdman resumed in the Listed Elms Handicap (1400m) at Flemington on February 14 where from an inside draw the gelding was held up for a run. 

To avoid similar circumstances on Saturday, Melham was issued explicit instructions to give Birdman room. 

Darren Beadman, representing the Waller stable, said Melham followed instructions to the letter. 

"Last start it didn't work out from the inside draw, but today he held his line out of the gates," Beadman said. 

"He wasn't the best to step away, but he kept that three wide line and dictated to a few runners around him. 

"He let them know he wasn't going to go over to the fence. He was seven lengths off the lead, and it was a pretty easy watch." 

Beadman said Birdman arrived from the UK highly credentialled with the owners having dreams of winning the Melbourne Cup. 

"He arrived in Australia about a year-and-a-half or two years ago with good credentials and a couple of wins, including the Queen's Vase," Beadman said. 

"The owners were hoping to aim for the Melbourne Cup. He's been very consistent and his was a great run in the Caulfield Cup last year. 

"I guess, without speaking to Chris, the Australian Cup will probably be the ideal type of race for him." 

The Group 1 Australian Cup (2000m) will be run at Flemington on March 28. 

Melham said Birdman probably should have won first-up and took a lot of confidence out of that run into Saturday's outing. 

"I feel that he will go to a new level this preparation," Melham said. 

"I love the feeling when he let down today. 

"He's a master, Chris Waller .This horse has really come into his own this preparation and he's a gentleman to deal with and he's got a motor to boot. 

"That will hold him in good stead moving forward." 


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