The Melbourne Cup, a handicap run over 3.2km (2 miles) takes place on Tuesday at Flemington, Australia. There is a strong Irish interest in the race with Dermot Weld bidding to emulate the 1993 success of his Vintage Crop with double Irish St. Leger winner and top European distance horse, Vinnie Roe. Weld's star will face stiff competition and the latest betting from Australia indicates that one of Pugin, Beekeeper or Weld second string Media Puzzle is likely to start favourite.
VINNIE ROE
Irish trainer Dermot Weld bids to emulate his success with Vintage Crop in 1993 -- the only time a European-based horse has won the Cup. Vinnie Roe has lifted the last two Irish St Legers and went down by only a head in a thrilling Ascot Gold Cup in June. In prime form but top weight of 59kg is a big ask and trainer has indicated that some of the shine has gone from the horse's coat.
MEDIA PUZZLE
Weld's second string, to be partnered by top local jockey Damien Oliver, still grieving over the death of his brother Jason in a riding accident last Tuesday. Oliver will be riding in his brother's gear. Media Puzzle won the Group Three Geelong Cup in a track-record-time last weekend with Oliver on board and has thrived since arriving in Australia.
PUGIN
Chief hope of the powerful Godolphin stable, who finished second last year with Give The Slip, and the first choice of leading jockey Frankie Dettori. Fourth in last year's Irish Derby and a good second to Vinnie Roe in the Irish St Leger last month. Game front-runner. Well handicapped.
BEEKEEPER
Second Godolphin runner. Met with training problems earlier in 2002 but winner of a small race at Doncaster in September then an unlucky sixth in the Caulfield Cup behind Northerly, beaten by just one-and-three-quarter lengths. Yet to win at two miles but in fine form. Ridden by Kerrin McEvoy, who won the Cup with Brew two years ago.
HATHA ANNA
Improving sort but viewed as the third string of the Godolphin runners. Won a smaller event at Flemington last year after skipping the Cup. Good fourth in the Ascot Gold Cup but disappointing at Doncaster and Goodwood since. Jockey Richard Hills took a lot of criticism when runner-up last year on Give The Slip after sticking to the rails when the going was much better wider out.
JARDINE'S LOOKOUT
English trainer Alan Jarvis is having his first runner in Australia. Horse won the Goodwood Gold Cup this season but disappointed in two subsequent races. Melbourne Cup bid dropped after those two defeats but connections had a change of heart and decided to let the five-year-old take his chance off what they think is a fair handicap mark. Better on good ground.
DALIAPOUR
Experienced globe-trotting campaigner, now aged six. Runner-up in the 1999 Epsom Derby and twice a Group One winner. Trainer Michael Stoute has targeted the race for some time but would prefer some give in the ground. Jockey Michael Kinane, who won the race in 1993 on Vintage Crop, will be keen to put behind him last Saturday's poor performance on Rock of Gibraltar, who was beaten into second place when hot favourite for the Breeders' Cup Mile in Chicago.
HELENE VITALITY
Six-year-old to be ridden by France-based jockey Gerald Mosse and prepared by Hong Kong-based Australian David Hayes, who won the 1994 Melbourne Cup with Jeune. Three wins from 27 starts and has not won since November 2000. On trial at the 3,200 metres distance and ran 12th in the 2,400m Caulfield Cup on October 19 in Melbourne.
RAIN GAUGE
Five-year-old regarded as one of the main local chances. Unplaced in last year's Melbourne Cup and prepared by George Hanlon, an 85-year-old Australian who has trained three Cup winners. Jockey Greg Childs is well known in Australia and New Zealand for his long-time association with Sunline, a dual winner of the Cox Plate, Australia's leg of the World Series of Racing Championship.
PENTASTIC
Four-year-old gelding that was seventh over the 3,200m distance in the Sydney Cup in April. Trained by Australia's David Hall and was third in the AJC Derby at Sydney's Randwick track in March over 2,400m. Well-placed at the weights with 52kg.
PRIZED GEM
Promising mare trained in Cambridge, New Zealand, by Murray Baker. Won the Brisbane Cup in Queensland, Australia over 3,200m in June. Has not raced at Flemington before and was 15th over 2,400m in last month's Caulfield Cup.
DISTINCTLY SECRET
Four-year-old gelding trained in Matamata, New Zealand and ridden by Australia's Steven King, a Melbourne Cup winner on Let's Elope in 1991. Ran fourth in the Caulfield Cup and third in Saturday's Mackinnon Stakes over 2,000m at Flemington. Weighted well at 51.5kg but has eased in the betting after drawing stall 18.
REQUIEM
Second behind Media Puzzle in last month's Geelong Cup over 2,400m and won on Saturday at Flemington in the Saab Quality over 2,500m, ridden by Greg Childs. Trained by Australia's Tony McEvoy and ridden by Australia's Craig Williams at the low weight of 49kg.
Latest betting for the Melbourne Cup:
5-1 Pugin, Beekeeper, Media Puzzle, 7-1 Vinnie Roe, 14-1 Rain Gauge, Distinctly Secret, 15-1 Pentastic, 33-1 Requiem, 40-1 Jardines Lookout, Daliapour, Helene Vitality, Hatha Anna, Prized Gem, 50-1 County Tyrone, Grey Song, Thong Classic 66-1 Hail, Victory Smile, Miss Meliss, 80-1 Freemason, Maguire, Mr. Prudent, 100-1 Cyclades, 125-1 Sandmason
Filed by Brendan Cole
