The Age
Andrew Eddy
October 8, 2009
RACING Victoria Ltd officials were still expecting as many as six international horses to face the starter in the November 3 Melbourne Cup despite the shock withdrawal yesterday of Irish mare Profound Beauty.
The chances of an international win in next month's Cup plummeted immediately on the announcement that the Dermot Weld-trained mare would remain at home in Ireland to be prepared for another European racing season instead.
RVL's racing operations manager Leigh Jordon said he spoke to Weld late on Tuesday night and was deflated with the news that the Cup's best credentialled overseas contender would not arrive as had been expected on Saturday. ''It is a blow because she is a very talented mare and Dermot is a great drawcard as he was aiming for a third Cup win,'' Jordon said. ''But there are some quality horses already here and due to arrive that I'm sure will be most competitive.''
Profound Beauty's owners paid $1450 at the second declaration stage for the Melbourne Cup on Tuesday, but by Wednesday had decided against a second tilt at the race. ''Moyglare Stud made the decision not to send Profound Beauty to Melbourne, so she'll be staying at home. The plan is to keep her in training next year,'' Weld's son Mark said.
Already in Melbourne are Godolphin's pair of Kirklees and Crime Scene and Luca Cumani's two, Cima De Triomphe and Basaltico.
They will be joined on Saturday morning by English-based Mourilyan and Munsef, who are certain to run in the Melbourne Cup.
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