Dermot Weld was delighted to hear his Tooheys New Melbourne Cup contenders, Vinnie Roe and Media Puzzle, have each landed a plum draw for Tuesday's big race at Flemington.
When the barriers were drawn Weld was the big winner with both horses set to race from inside gate 10. Media Puzzle has barrier three while Vinnie Roe will come out of stall seven in the 24-runner field. Mark Weld rang his father, who had left Flemington racecourse after watching Helenus win the Victoria Derby and returned to his hotel. 'That's fine. Perfect,' the Curragh trainer told his son.
Weld junior said that neither horse would be too far away from the pace. A decision on riding tactics will be made on the day but Pat Smullen said he would expect to ride Vinnie Roe as he has throughout his career, on the pace. Weld junior said the Europeans would club together to make the pace work for them if the locals did not run the race truly.
He added that the track was perfect and that it is very similar going to that which Vinnie Roe won the Irish St Leger on in September.
Filed by James McMahon
