Nugent and Interpretation win the Cup again

The Interpretation will carry 50kg and will be ridden again by Theo Nugent in the Melbourne Cup on Tuesday, but don’t expect the $41 offered last year.

The Ozzie Hair-owned player returned to form in Group 3 Bart Cummings earlier this month and improved again to finish second from last in the Geelong Cup.

Nugent, who has regained the lead in Interpretation’s last two starts, was delighted with the gelding’s efforts on both occasions and is keen to take him over 3200m again.

Interpretation was eliminated from the Cup in 2022 (the same year Nugent came aboard High Emocean) but was much better when sixth in 2023 and is an $11 chance for this year’s draw.

“He races very well, he got back into shape in the Bart Cummings coming off the ride and he did it,” Nugent said.

“It was a super run at the Geelong Cup. He dropped his bridle on the descent and hit the flat, but once we straightened out his best work was in the last 50 meters and across the line.

“I felt like we pulled away late on Craig Williams (aboard Onesmoothoperator)…he’s just an avid two-mile runner this time, I can’t wait to get him out of this trip.

“He has the same form as last year, winning the Bendigo Cup before the Melbourne Cup and this year he was runner-up in the Geelong Cup.

“So hopefully he’s third time lucky. If we can draw the first half by a hurdle and get a comfortable early kick, he should come very late.”

WATCH: Interpretation Geelong Cup Run

Nugent doesn’t ride the 50kg weight class often, but has done so once this spring aboard Valiant King in the Caulfield Cup.

It’s naturally lightweight and the process isn’t as tedious as many other hoops, which is a nice benefit ahead of Tuesday’s grueling ordeal.

“I’m very lucky, I’ve ridden it before and I only have to do it a couple of times a year,” he said.

“I made it very easy on Valiant King instead of Chris Waller in the Caulfield Cup, so I’m looking forward to it this time.

“It’s a beautiful time of year and I’m lucky to be walking light.”