Melbourne Cup | News page 2 | Aussie Punter

Fortunes are won and lost in the time that it takes to run the most famous two miles in Australasia. Punters are always happy to back their judgment and 2006 is no different. The well documented plunge on the overseas raider Yeats hangs ominously over the heads of the big betting bookies. Yeats has been $13 to $5.50 and according to all reports has not done a thing wrong since his arrival in Australia. The Coolmore juggernaut know how to win the big races. Efficient was blistering in the Derby on...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

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...

The continuing saga surrounding Melbourne Cup hope Plastered took another twist yesterday with reports emanating from the west that part-owner Elio Galante had offered to buy out the 60 per cent share held by Janelle Harvey. Trainer Lindsey Smith said at Moonee Valley yesterday, "No sale has taken place. I know there has been a lot of talk, but Janelle Harvey and Elio Galante are still the owners," Chills sweeps the Valley Two-year-old filly I Got Chills gave her rivals windburn with an emphatic...

VRC Derby winner Plastered is likely to head home and be aimed at the Perth Cup after the four-year-old was found to have a hoof abscess. Trainer Lindsay Smith said Plastered was not lame but tender after shedding the frog, the soft part of the foot. This means that Plastered will now definately miss the 2005 Emirates Melbourne Cup at Flemington on Tuesday, November 1st. Smith said, "He's obviously stood on a rock or something at the beach and it's been there for a while. I'd say the Caulfield...

Having missed a start in last Saturday's Caulfield Cup with her up and coming galloper Mr Celebrity, Sydney's leading trainer Gai Waterhouse is now aiming the lightly raced five-year-old at next month's $5 million Melbourne Cup. Despite winning six of his nine starts including the Group One George Main Stakes over the Randwick mile, Mr Celebrity has not yet qualified for the Melbourne Cup. Waterhouse hopes a win today by the Peintre Celebre gelding will induce a penalty from Racing Victoria Chief...