Profound Beauty

From Bloodstock.com.au 22/9/09

Trainer Dermot Weld won't decide for another week whether Profound Beauty is a definite Melbourne Cup contender at Flemington in November.

Profound Beauty was well beaten in fourth place on a soggy track behind Alandi in the Group One Irish Field St Leger last start.

Weld believes he made the wrong decision to start Profound Beauty in the St Leger.

"I possibly shouldn't have run her," Weld told Radio TAB.

"The ground was heavy and I didn't run her last year in the St Leger for the same reason."

Despite her failure when beaten more than 23 lengths in the St Leger, Profound Beauty is in quarantine preparing for a trip to Australia.

However, Well said he would not confirm a Melbourne Cup bid until after he watches Profound Beauty work.

"She's well and is in good form but we'll work her in a week's time and decide whether to bring her down," Weld said.

"I'll see how her blood picture is and discuss it all with her owners."

Ireland's champion jockey Pat Smullen has been booked to ride Profound Beauty in the Melbourne Cup.

Smullen is the mare's regular rider but was unable to make her lightweight of 51.5kg in the 2008 Melbourne Cup with Australian Glen Boss taking over the reins.

Profound Beauty finished fifth to Viewed in last year's Melbourne Cup.

Smullen has ridden in three Melbourne Cups, each time aboard Vinnie Roe whose best effort was a second to champion mare Makybe Diva in 2004.

Profound Beauty is a $15 chance for the Cup with TAB Sportsbet following her Irish St Leger failure.