Still no word on Diva cup start
The ongoing will she won't she saga continues in the lead up to next Tuesday's $5 million Melbourne Cup at Flemington. Two time Melbourne Cup winning mare and reigning Australian Horse of the Year, Makybe Diva worked over 2000m at Mornington on Saturday morning with trainer Lee Freedman only prepared to say, "We were pleased with her work," Freedman, owner Tony Santic and jockey Glen Boss have no doubt already made their decision to start the great mare on Tueday to chase an unprecedented third...
Franklin Gardens in doubt for Melbourne Cup
Yet another English stayer has gone amiss in the lead up to Tuesday's $5 million Melbourne Cup at Flemington with Franklins Gardens now in serious doubt of taking his place in the Melbourne Cup field after sustaining a tendon injury at trackwork. The Mark Tompkins trained six year old strained a tendon in his right hind leg. A final decision on whether the horse lines up in the Melbourne Cup will be made this morning. Franklins Gardens will be the fifth withdrawal of the European raiders should...
Gonski Sold
The Tim Martin trained Danehill colt Gonski has been sold to Darley Australia. Gonski was a $400,000 purchase at the 2004 Magic Millions Gold Coast Sale. The three-year-old is a winner of two of his five starts for stakes of $166,630. The colt will race in Darley's colours in Saturday's Gr 1 Salinger Stakes (1200m) at Flemington.
A Sixth Derby looms for Bart
The Cups king Bart Cummings will be chasing a sixth VRC Derby success when he saddles up pre-post favourite Pendragon in Saturday's $1.5 million Group I, AAMI Victoria Derby. Unfortunately for Bart the barrier draw wasn't kind to his charge with Part-owner Dato Chin Nam drawing barrier 15 at the public barrier draw at Federation Square on Wednesday. Cummings said, "It won't make a world of difference. They can win from anywhere. It just means he'll (jockey Glen Boss) have to put in a better ride."...
Vouvray to run before Melbourne Cup
The Peter Moody trained Zabeel mare Vouvray will run in either the MacKinnon Stakes or the SAAB Quality on Saturday to round off her Melbourne Cup preparations. Moody confirmed today that the mare was in need of a run after dropping right out of the Caulfield Cup. Vouvray had been hitting the line strongly in each of her lead up races prior to the Caulfield Cup running fifth in the JJ Liston Stakes over 1400m. Fifth in the Feehan Stakes over 1600m at Moonee Valley and a ninth in the Turnbull Stakes...
Plastered scratched from Melbourne Cup
The VRC Derby winner Plastered is officially out of the 2005 Melbourne Cup with the four-year-old heading home to Perth at lunchtime today. The West Australian star will remain in the care of original trainer Lindsey Smith after a deal to purchase the horse by a syndicate formed by champion trainer Lee Freedman fell through at the 11th hour. Smith said yesterday, "I would like to personally apologise to anyone who backed the horse to win the Melbourne Cup. I came here to win the race and I'm sorry...
Diamond out from 2005 Melbourne Cup
English stayer Carte Diamond has been ruled out of Tuesday's $5 million Melbourne Cup after a training accident today. Working this morning on the course proper, the Brian Ellison trained English raider was being ridden by Weichong Marwing when the stirrup iron came lose as the pair were about to enter the straight. Marwing was dislodged from Carte Diamond who then proceeded to run into the false rail. Carte Diamond suffered a severe cut to his hind leg that has brought his Melbourne Cup campaign...
Plastered sale off
The pending sale of VRC Derby winner Plastered is off again after the horse failed a veterinary test yesterday. The deal was called off at the eleventh hour with the prospective buyers unwilling to part with the $1.6 million purchase price after the four-year-old failed a thorough veterinary examination at the Werribee Equine Centre. However, the West Australian stayer will remain with new trainer Lee Freedman under the ownership of Elio Galante and Janelle Harvey. Freedman yesterday paid up for...
Prebble picks up Diamond Cup mount
Hong Kong based Australian jockey Brett Prebble has picked up the ride on English stayer Carte Diamond in next Tuesday's $5 million G1 Melbourne Cup at Flemington. Prebble will take over from Weichong Marwing who has already been booked to ride Greys Inn in the Melbourne Cup. Trainer Brian Ellison said, "Brett comes highly recommended. The horse is in brilliant form. He's really doing well and I can't wait to get him to Flemington. He has picked up two gears since last week's Caulfield Cup." Prebble...
Freedman pays up for Makybe and Plastered
Champion trainer Lee Freedman today paid up for two time Melbourne Cup winner Makybe Diva and her new stablemate Plastered to run in Tuesday's $5 million G1 Melbourne Cup. Only 37 horses were paid up at today's third declaration. The Melbourne Cup Order Of Entry is listed below with final declarations for the Melbourne Cup to be declared at 5.00pm on Saturday. Melbourne Cup Order Of Entry as at October 24: HORSE, AGE, SEX & TRAINER 1 MAKYBE DIVA (GB) 7M Lee Freedman 2 VINNIE ROE (IRE) 8H Dermot...