Super Septimus Has Melbourne Option

A crack at the Melbourne Cup on the first Tuesday in November is among the options for Septimus after he conclusively proved he is a stayer of the highest order with an effortless success in the GNER Doncaster Cup.

The Lonsdale Cup winner was a warm order on Town Moor after proving his stamina at York, and he cruised to the front just over two furlongs from home in the two-and-a-quarter-mile contest.

Aidan O'Brien's 11-10 favourite then kept on impressively to account for Geordieland by a yawning five lengths, taking just less than two seconds off the course best in the process.

The Johnny Murtagh-ridden son of Sadler's Wells has now won three of his four starts since returning from an injury picked up in last year's Derby.

Owner Derrick Smith said of the 2006 Dante winner: 'We always thought he was good and he was nearly favourite for the Derby, but he wasn't quite right on Derby day. He appears to have come back to his Dante form.

'We really do leave plans to Aidan. The Melbourne Cup would be a possibility but we always thought the ground would be a problem, and with the (equine) flu it would be a long way to go if the ground comes up wrong.

'There is always the race (Prix du Cadran) in France on Arc weekend, too.'

Murtagh had been aboard the winner in the Lonsdale Cup last month and he could barely conceal his admiration for O'Brien's charge.

He said: 'I think he is getting more mature and tightening up, and Aidan said he would handle the ground a bit better as he got older.

'He really strode out well and they went a good pace. After a mile and a quarter they really stepped on the pace, so I gave him a breather and let him fill his lungs, and when I asked him to quicken at the two he really strode out well.

'He is a very, very good stayer, and he has class too. He is not one of these plodders and over a trip he has a turn of foot.

'He showed he has no problem with the trip. I've never ridden his stablemate Yeats so I don't know how good he is, but this one is a very good stayer and it will take some horse to beat him.'

Geordieland again flattered to deceive and after cruising up hard on the steel, he weakened into second when push came to shove.

His trainer Jamie Osborne said: 'He always runs well in these big races, but he keeps running into exceptional stayers.

'I may look at taking him to Canada for the Canadian International, or go to France for the Cadran on Arc weekend, but I wouldn't be keen on running him on soft.'

Sir Michael Stoute, responsible for the third home, Goodwood Cup winner Allegretto, said: 'She always runs her heart out every time and she is effective over a mile and a half up to this trip.'

(C) PA Sport