Oliver backs Bauer for Cup double

Jockey Damien Oliver believes that Bauer has what it takes to win the Melbourne Cup after partnering the English stayer to victory in the group three Geelong Cup on Wednesday.

Oliver is eminently qualified to assess whether or not Bauer is capable of converting success in the Geelong Cup into a Melbourne Cup victory, having partnered the lasted Geelong Cup/Melbourne Cup double winner, Media Puzzle, in 2002.

Bauer’s success in the Geelong Cup handed trainer Luca Cumani his first ever win in Australia, and provides him with another strong entry to the Melbourne Cup after Mad Rush qualified for the race with an impressive 4th place in the Caulfield Cup on the weekend.

“The last three years we have learned a lot and this being a first winner is a good reward for all the work by everyone in the team,” Cumani said after the race. “He (Bauer) ran such a good race and to win means it guarantees a start in the Melbourne Cup we hope.”

“I think after Mad Rush’s great run we thought both horses were on the right road,” Cumani concluded.