The Subzero Handicap (1400m), a race solely for registered grey thoroughbreds, has proven to be a fan favourite at Flemington on Melbourne Cup Day, and this year, Kiwis will have their own grey to barrack for.
Popular grey gelding Chattahoochee (NZ) (Reliable Man) has developed a cult following back in New Zealand where he has won six races and was runner-up in the Gr.3 Easter Handicap (1600m) earlier this year for Te Awamutu trainer Debbie Sweeney.
The son of Reliable Man was building towards a trip across the Tasman this preparation, and the decision was made to book his ticket following his placing behind Group One winner Mustang Valley at Tauranga last month.
He has subsequently entered the care of Cranbourne trainer Cindy Alderson, and Sweeney said she has received positive reports since his arrival.
“He is with Cindy Alderson and she is very happy with him. I have kept in touch and have seen videos, and he has been working well,” Sweeney said.
“He looks nice and happy and has settled in well to the different environment. Last year I went over to Cindy’s and her place is similar to ours, she has got a paddock there for him and he likes to be out in a paddock. She is a really nice lady and has got a really nice set-up.”
Sweeney said the race shapes nicely for Chattahoochee, who was given the tick of approval by Melbourne Cup-winning jockey Craig Williams following a trial last week.
“Craig Williams rode him in a trial last Monday and he was really happy with him,” she said. “He was really complimentary of him and said what a lovely horse he was.
“He is dropping back to 1400m, which will be interesting, but he has been freshened-up for that.
“It is a rating 90 race, and he is the second highest rated horse in the race, so he is quite well off in that race.”
Chattahoochee has already started to accrue a following in Australia and has proven to be a coveted ride for Tuesday’s race named after 1992 Melbourne Cup hero Subzero.
“It sounds like he has got a few fans over there as well now too,” Sweeney said. “Everyone seems to fall in love with him wherever he goes. There were quite a lot of people chasing the ride on him.”
Sweeney is particularly excited for his owners Lisa Anderson and Bryan Black, and is hoping their charge can get the chocolates for them on Tuesday.
“It is great for the owners,” she said. “Mr (Bryan) Black is a big supporter of the industry and so is Lisa, so it is great for them to have a horse in on Melbourne Cup Day, you don’t get that opportunity very often. It is exciting that it is a grey race too, which makes it a bit more interesting as well.”
Tuesday’s race could be a hit-and-run mission for Chattahoochee, however, Sweeney said he may have another run before heading home.
“It will be up to the owners and what they want to do, but I know Cindy possibly has one race planned for him after Tuesday, so we will just see,” she said.