Godolphin swoop for Cup hope Pugin

PUGIN, who has been bought by Godolphin, should be favourite for the Melbourne Cup, according to Dermot Weld.

The four-year-old was purchased out of the John Oxx yard prior to finishing a length and a half second to Weld’s Vinnie Roe in Saturday’s Irish Leger at the Curragh.

Vinnie Roe, of course, is the current market leader for the November 5 contest, which brings the whole of Australia to a standstill.

Pugin will be able to reoppose Vinnie Roe in Melbourne on 12lbs better terms, compared to Saturday.

Speaking at the Curragh yesterday, Weld said: “I think Pugin should be favourite, 12lbs is a lot for a length and a half and there is nothing between the pair on running last year as well.

“I believe it was a very shrewed move by Sheikh Mohammed.’’ Weld, however, confirmed that Vinnie Roe is a definite traveller to the southern hemisphere. “He goes into quarantine at 6.00 this evening’’, said Weld. “He was ever so slightly stiff after Saturday’s race, but is sound.

“When you have a horse as good as Vinnie Roe you take on all-comers.’’

Meanwhile Weld’s Jazz Beat, just touched off on his last visit to America, returns stateside this Sunday for a Grade two at Belmont Park in New York.