The Geelong Cup effect

WHAT DOES THE GEELONG CUP MEAN FOR THE MELBOURNE CUP?

* English horse Qewy has moved closer to joining past overseas-trained Geelong Cup winners to claim the Melbourne Cup after passing the ballot clause with his win on Wednesday.

* His Godolphin stablemate Oceanographer has also passed the distance clause by running third while another internationally trained horse, Grey Lion, ran second in the 2400m-race.

* Three overseas-trained horses – Media Puzzle (2002), Americain (2010) and Dunaden (2011) – have won the Geelong Cup-Melbourne Cup double in the same year.

* A couple more Geelong Cup winners went close in the Melbourne Cup – Bauer (2008) was edged out by a nose by Viewed while On A Jeune (2005) was beaten in the Melbourne Cup by Makybe Diva.

* Zazzman won the Geelong Cup in 2003 before finishing third behind Makybe Diva and She’s Archie in the Melbourne Cup the following year.