Vinnie presents Weld with weighty problem

VINNIE ROE is being nursed into next Tuesday’s Melbourne Cup after failing to fully recover from the long flight to Australia, his trainer Dermot Weld said here yesterday.

Vinnie Roe, the 9-2 favourite for Australia’s biggest race at Flemington, has forced Weld to change training plans to get him into the right shape to tackle the 3,200 meter (two mile) race.

“Vinnie Roe has taken a bit of stress from the trip ... it has probably left its mark on him,” said Weld, who arrived here on Thursday. “I was a bit disappointed when I saw him yesterday.”