Aidan O'Brien's G1 Emirates Melbourne Cup challenger Bondi Beach (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}) has arrived in Australia in good shape ahead of the race at Flemington Nov. 1. The 4-year-old has aimed for this target all year and he ran a promising trial when a close third in the G3 KPMG Enterprise S. over 12 furlongs at Leopardstown in September. He arrived in Werribee on Saturday along with fellow European challengers Heartbreak City (Fr) (Lando {Ger}) and Big Orange (GB) (Duke Of Marmalade {Ire}).
Speaking to racing.com, his part owner Nick Williams commented, “He looked terrific. He was bucking his brands off there. He looks like he's travelled really well and let's hope he can get through the next two weeks well and acquit himself in the Melbourne Cup as well as he possibly can.” Also a co-owner of Bondi Beach is Lloyd Williams, who has won the Melbourne Cup four times in the past and his son continued, “He only lost a kilo and that's a great sign. He just trotted around a lap to stretch his legs. He obviously had a long trip on the plane and he seems very fresh and Emmet McNamara, who looks after him and looks after him over there in Ireland as well, seems very happy with him.”
Bondi Beach certainly has the class to take a hand in the race. He was just beaten by Simple Verse (Ire) (Duke Of Marmalade {Ire}) in the G1 Ladbrokes St Leger last year, but will have to improve on his effort in last year's Melbourne Cup, in which he finished 16th, albeit only beaten 6 1/4 lengths.
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