Godolphin's Hatha Anna and Pugin pleased in their work this morning as part of their continuing build-up to the Tooheys New Melbourne Cup. They galloped over seven furlongs on turf at Sandown Racecourse, while stable companion and fellow Melbourne Cup hope Beekeeper jogged for the first time since his promising sixth in the Carlton Draught Caulfield Cup on Saturday.
Irish stayer Media Puzzle is joint-favourite in the local betting to win Wednesday's Geelong Cup over 12 furlongs. Trainer Dermot Weld has booked Damien Oliver to ride the former in the race, a Melbourne Cup qualifier for Media Puzzle after he failed to make the field Saturday's Caulfield Cup.
Media Puzzle has 8st in the Melbourne Cup at Flemington on November 5. He is currently 40th on the ballot plan and a win could inspire the handicapper to penalise Media Puzzle, which would almost certainly ensure him a spot in the big-race field.
Filed by Laura Reynolds
