Look out Melbourne The Fuzz is coming

Andrew Mathieson
GEELONG Cup winner The Fuzz should have the goods to continue a recent trend of producing Melbourne Cup contenders, the boss of Geelong’s racing club said yesterday.
The Fuzz has already shortened dramatically in Melbourne Cup odds even before the field is announced after capturing the $200,000 PETstock Geelong Cup on Wednesday.
While David Hayes trained his first Geelong Cup winner, jockey Craig Williams went back to back and captured his third after riding Mandela to victory at Geelong last year.
The racing club’s Paul Carroll believed that punters could no longer ignore Geelong Cup results.
“The Fuzz raced like a horse who would really enjoy getting to 3200 metres and he’s only trained by the best trainer in Australia,” Carroll said.
“There’s no doubt now that he’s a real chance in the Melbourne Cup.”
Media Puzzle was the most recent horse to win both races in 2002.
Media Puzzle’s win started a roll for cup winners after Jeune was second past the post at Flemington a fortnight after his 2005 Geelong triumph.
In 2003, Zazzman and She’s Archie both ran Melbourne Cup places after a quadrella finish at Geelong.
Carroll also extended the tip to Geelong Cup favourite Zavite, which finished a close second to The Fuzz.
“The form line around the first and second horses bodes well for them to race strongly on in the Melbourne Cup and also the other spring races.”
Geelong racing organisers finally breathed a sigh of relief on Wednesday.
After battling track troubles resulting from the drought this year, the industry was then hit with the devastating equine influenza virus in August, casting doubt over the 2007 spring racing carnival.
“The (cup) day was always going to be impacted by the virus, especially, with no interstate horses and very little international representation,” Carroll said.
“All country cups and even the spring carnival at Moonee Valley, Caulfield and Flemington will also have that it’s just the state of play at the moment.”