Czech champ may have a crack at the Melbourne Cup

8 months ago

Another chapter may be added to one of the feel-good stories from Royal Ascot, with Hardwicke Stakes runner-up Nagano Gold a chance to head Down Under for a tilt at the Melbourne Cup.

Nagano Gold, which finished a close second to Defoe in the Hardwicke Stakes, was purchased by Vaclav Luka of the Czech Republic for just 3,500gns at the Tattersalls December Foal Sale in 2014.

Bloodstock agent Tomas Janda, who was representing Luka, told the Racing Post: "He's definitely now the best horse in central Europe. He's not popular just in the Czech Republic, I think also people from the likes of Poland, Hungary, Slovakia are watching him.

"Of course there are many more successful horses every year than him, Classic winners from Ireland, England and other places, but it's a bit special.

"He was a little bit unlucky in the race, and after this he could be able to even win a Group 1, so he’s a very good advert for English horses and the sales now."

"There are some offers to run in Melbourne, for the Melbourne Cup; we were invited to Hong Kong. The original plan was to target the Arc but we can consider more options now."

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