Vinnie Roe set for Melbourne Cup go-ahead
Trainer Dermot Weld has been worried that the ground might be too quick for the six-year-old and wants to be satisfied it is “safe” after his staying star finished jarred up when fourth two years ago.
However, with showers expected later yesterday and today in the Melbourne area, Vinnie Roe is expected to take his chance.
“I’m not looking for anything like a slow track for Vinnie Roe. As I’ve said many times, all I want is a safe track,” Weld told www.theage.com.au.
“It was too firm when he ran fourth behind Media Puzzle two years ago and they both jarred up badly.”
Flemington’s racecourse manager Terry Watson has been carefully monitoring the ground situation and he is planning to put three millimetres of water on the track overnight in order to keep the going on the good side.
Weld still plans to walk the track on the morning of the race and he could take out his four-time Irish St Leger winner if the surface is too firm.
Should Vinnie Roe run, Weld will be double-handed as his 2002 race winner Media Puzzle also takes his chance.
The eight-year-old has had tendon problems in both front legs since his Melbourne Cup win and has run only twice in the last two years.
As to Media Puzzle’s chances this year, Weld added: “That’s the unknown question, but he improves when he comes out here.”
Vinnie Roe is a 5-1 chance with Ladbrokes for Australia’s biggest race, and they go 14-1 about Media uzzle’s chances.
Darren Beadman will be teaming up with Sir Michael Stoute’s Distinction for the first time in Tuesday’s race.
The rider will be looking for a third Melbourne Cup success after taking the race in 1990 on Kingston Rule and again in 1996 aboard Saintly.
Distinction has been targeted at this race all season and Stoute has given him just four runs, most recently when winning the Listed Troy Stakes at Doncaster last month.
The five-year-old missed his intended prep race in the Caulfield Cup due to an unsatisfactory blood test but Beadman believes it “may well turn out to have been a blessing” and is upbeat about his chances.
“Distinction was enormous last week when I was legged up on him for the first time. And nothing had changed on Saturday when the two of us lurched around Sandown,” Beadman told www.smh.com.au. “He is a gentleman. A real gentle giant.
“Those kinds of attributes in a stayer amount to a horse that will give it his all. Out of kindness comes a nice personality, a relaxed nature and a nonchalant demeanour. Nothing worries him.
“The horse gives you a nice feel and with it comes a sense of easiness, the kind of calm that enables the rider to do what is required.”
Distinction has been clipped to 10-1 from 12s with Ladbrokes yesterday, while last year’s winner Makybe Diva is the 11-4 market leader.
However, she will have to defy history if she is to record back-to-back wins as no mare has taken the race in successive years since its inception in 1861.
Emirates Melbourne Cup betting:
Ladbrokes: 11-4 Makybe Diva, 5-1 Vinnie Roe, 9-1 Elvstroem, Pacific Dancer, 10-1 Distinction, 12-1 She’s Archie, Hugs Dancer, 14-1 Media Puzzle, 16-1 Mamool, 20-1 Mummify, 25-1 Delzao, Grey Song, 33-1 bar.
