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By Jess de Lautour, LOVERACING.NZ News Desk

Mark Twain took the first step in a long road leading to the Gr.1 Melbourne Cup (3200m) with an exhibition gallop between races at Tauranga on Wednesday.

Mark Twain during his exhibition gallop at Tauranga on Wednesday.
Photo: Kenton Wright (Race Images)

The son of Shocking earned his place in the iconic November feature with victory in the Listed Roy Higgins (2600m) in March, with his first public appearance off a spell pleasing co-trainer Roger James.

“I was very happy with the way he worked and the way he pulled up,” said James, who trains in partnership with Robert Wellwood.

“With the weather conditions, we’ve been very careful with him at home, and I wanted what we did today to bring him forward, not knock him. They are often pretty vulnerable when they’re three-quarters ready, so we have to be pretty careful.

“Masa Hashizume rode him and he couldn’t have ridden him better for what we were wanting. He went 1200m going 15 seconds through the first three furlongs, then worked home in 38.4. He was still picking up and working through the line, he went right around past the gates at the 1400m.

“He trotted him all the way back around, and by the time he got back to me, he was only just having a healthy blow and nothing that would indicate he had been over-extended.

“That should bring him on greatly.”

James said Mark Twain would be Melbourne-bound at short notice, with nominations for the Gr.1 Arrowfield Stud Plate (1600m) and Gr.1 Livamol Classic (2050m) a back-up plan for the gelding.

“Hastings is a back-up, you never know with horses what is around the corner tomorrow but it’s not our first intention,” he said.

“At this stage, he will most likely run first-up in Melbourne on the 24th of August over 1500 metres after a trial (in New Zealand).” – LOVERACING.NZ News Desk