Mourilyan - Bankable

HERALD SUN
Adrian Dunn
26 September 2009

CHECHEN despot Ramzan Kadyrov will have a Melbourne Cup runner . . . at this stage.

But the Victoria Racing Club has not ruled out the possibility that it will refuse to allow Mr Kadyrov's horse, Mourilyan, to contest the $5.5 million race.

Mr Kadyrov, President of the Chechnya and described by Greens leader Bob Brown as a "blood-soaked dictator", could also have a runner on Derby Day, the opening day of Spring Racing Carnival.

Dale Monteith, the VRC's chief executive officer, last night was coy about what action the club might take.

He said the VRC committee yesterday heard views on the issue from Racing Victoria Limited chiefs Michael Duffy and Rob Hines.

Mr Monteith said the pair had told him that RVL would not be doing anything to stop Mourilyan and another of Mr Kadyrov's horses, Bankable, coming to Melbourne.

Mourilyan, entered in the Melbourne Cup, and Bankable, scheduled to run in the $750,000 LKS Mackinnon Stakes, are both last-start winners in England. Tab Sportsbet rates Mourilyan a $31 Cup chance.

Both horses are in quarantine in the UK and are due to arrive here in three weeks.

Mr Monteith said: "That's where it stands at the moment. We don't have any further comment."

The Rules Of Racing state the VRC has the power to refuse the nomination of any horse for any race. It does not have to give a reason.

Second declarations, along with a $1450 payment, are due at noon on Tuesday.

Mr Monteith said the VRC was aware of the rule, but added that the club "at this stage had not considered it".

If the VRC does decide to reject Mr Kadyrov's horses, it must do so before October 8, the day they are due to leave England.