Richard Pegum sets sights on the Melbourne Cup

Richard Pegum, a prominent owner, has set his sights on the Melbourne Cup with the highly promising Scriptwriter, following the impressive performance of the son of Churchill in England over the weekend.

After racing predominantly over hurdles, Scriptwriter switched back to the flat for Royal Ascot, finishing seventh in the Copper Horse Handicap.

The Australian ownership group, The Ashes syndicate, purchased the gelding with the intention of running him at Royal Ascot for Paul Henry’s 50th birthday.

Pegum, leveraging his knowledge and connections in the English racing scene, saw immense potential in Scriptwriter and aims to bring him to Australia for the Melbourne Cup or other high-profile races.

Scriptwriter further showcased his Melbourne Cup aspirations with a strong showing in the Group 3 John Smith’s Silver Cup Stakes at York.

Under jockey Clifford Lee, he finished a close second, just a head behind Hamish, trained by William Haggas and ridden by Tom Marquand.

Pegum expressed excitement and confidence in the horse’s development, highlighting his ability to handle soft going and his continuous improvement.

The Ebor Handicap at York next month is the next target for Scriptwriter, which offers an automatic entry into the Melbourne Cup for the winner.

Pegum confirmed that Scriptwriter is booked on a plane to come to Australia in September, emphasizing the horse’s suitability for the Melbourne Cup due to his staying ability and previous success over longer distances.

The Australian ownership group has plans for Scriptwriter to remain in Australia, with several major race targets in mind, including the Sydney Cup and the possibility of the King Charles III race.

The horse has already attracted interest from Australian trainers, with offers coming in as his potential continues to capture attention.