The honours in the 2010 Melbourne Cup rested squarely on the shoulders of French galloper Americain, however, the future certainly looks bright for runner-up Maluckyday.

Maluckyday (NZ) was probably starting in the race a year earlier than expected owing to his win in the G3 Lexus Stakes on Saturday.  He looks every bit a star on the rise for owner Nick Moraitis who also raced Zabeel’s Horse of the Year Might And Power.

Maluckyday (4g Zabeel – Natalie Wood by Yachtie) is best described as a raw talent.  He produced a brilliant Melbourne Cup effort at only his ninth race day appearance.  He will be an excellent prospect for the staying races in Sydney next year and the 2011 Melbourne Cup.

Maluckyday was bred by The Oaks Stud and stud manager Rick Williams said it was a fantastic result for such a young horse.  “He was fairly beaten by the winner but he did pass the best horse I’ve ever seen in So You Think.  I imagine he will have a good break now and then it will be all about next year.”

The Zabeel gelding has more than justified his purchase price of $625,000 from the 2008 Karaka Premier Yearling Sale.  “He was a stunning yearling, you could not fault him,” Williams said.  “I would rate him alongside Pure Theatre as the best yearling we have taken to a sale.

“He might have been paraded 200 times and he never jacked up.  John Hawkes told me he was looking for a top staying horse for Nick Moraitis, and it looks like he’s got one.”

Maluckyday’s half-brother by Darci Brahma is bound for Karaka in 2011 and he is also shaping up nicely according to Williams.  “He is certainly one of the better colts in the draft and is a really nice individual.”

Looking ahead, their dam Natalie Wood is due to foal to Darci Brahma again and the current thought is that she may then have one attempt at getting in-foal to Zabeel at the end of the season.

Natalie Wood (NZ) was a talented filly winning the G2 Eight Carat Classic before breaking down in the G1 New Zealand Oaks.