Carlton and West Coast great Chris Judd will chase Melbourne Cup glory next Tuesday with small shares in two contenders, Geelong Cup winner Point Of Law and Joseph O’Brien’s James J Braddock, just days after going within three-quarters of a length of winning the Cox Plate with Birdman.
Judd is part of the Baggers Naggers syndicate that races Birdman, alongside fellow Carlton identities Marc Murphy, John Barker, Sam Docherty and Patrick Cripps, Racenet reported.
Birdman was run down late by Perth galloper Cosmic Crusader in Saturday’s Cox Plate at Flemington, and Judd joked the near miss might have been his fault.
“I thought we were almost home. I might have gone the early crow,” Judd told Racenet.
“It was a great ride from Benny (Melham) and a great effort. He saved plenty of ground on the way through and might have lost a little bit of momentum in the straight. But to run second in a Cox Plate, it’s amazing.”
Read more: Cosmic Crusader Wins Cox Plate for Andrea Leek and William Pike
Mixed loyalties in the Cup
Judd bought into Point Of Law as part of a syndicate alongside Melbourne businessman Damian Degenhardt, while James J Braddock carries the blue and gold colours of prominent owner and lifelong Carlton supporter Ozzie Kheir, according to Racenet.
“It was a very small purchase in the syndicate so it will be great fun,” Judd said.
Point Of Law, trained by Ciaron Maher, is the Melbourne Cup favourite after winning the Geelong Cup. Racing.com reported James J Braddock is one of five O’Brien runners, and will be ridden by Craig Williams.
Birdman won’t join them. The Chris Waller-trained galloper was among the horses not paid up at Monday’s third acceptances, races.com.au reported, with Waller leaning towards a spell, although a Champions Stakes run remains under consideration.
Read more: Melbourne Cup Third Acceptances: 39 Remain as Half Yours Drops Out
Racing bug runs deep
Judd also raced the mare Tycoon Bec, named after his wife Bec, in a syndicate that included actor Gary Sweet. Trained by Matt Cumani, she won her first three starts and seven of her 28 runs before a foot issue ended her career, and she has just had her first foal.
“I’m in for a pretty small margin so we don’t want to oversell that, but it’s very different,” Judd said.
The Melbourne Cup will be run at Flemington on Tuesday 3 November, with the final field of 24 confirmed on Saturday after the Victoria Derby.
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