GAI UNFAZED BY FOREIGN INVADERS
GAI Waterhouse has defended the internationalisation of the Melbourne Cup, with almost a dozen Werribee-based raiders laying siege to Australia’s most famous race after second acceptances.
From an original pool of more than 180 horses, 47 remain in contention for next week’s $7.3 million race — with 14 internationals occupying the top 29 places.
Of those, 11 internationals are guaranteed starts — and there are eight raiders, including $4.50 favourite Yucatan, in the top 10 in betting.
Waterhouse, who trained import Fiorente to victory in 2013, is unfazed.
“It’s thrown Australian racing into the forefront of attention in the world stage of horses,” she said.
“Back almost 30 years ago, it was an Australian race. It’s not an Australian race, it’s an international race.
“It’s one of the few handicaps in the world that is recognised as a serious race.”
Waterhouse and co-trainer Adrian Bott could have three runners in the Cup — Geelong Cup winner Runaway, Northwest Passage and VRC Derby contender Thinkin’ Big.
Saturday’s Lexus Handicap offers ballot-free status to the winner into the Cup ahead of final acceptances.
Caulfield Cup winner Best Solution and Herbert Power Stakes victor Yucatan highlight the international contingent as Linday Park’s Ventura Storm escaped a penalty for Moonee Valley Gold Cup victory.
Included in the 11 internationals inside the top 24 is the Andrew Balding-trained Duretto who will be examined at the University of Melbourne Equine Centre to determine his suitability to be a final acceptor.
Aidan O’Brien has also accepted with Caulfield Cup placegetter The Cliffsofmoher and northern-hemisphere three-year-old Rostropovich, who debuted in the Cox Plate on Saturday, but has elected to withdraw Our Idaho.
Other notable withdrawals were Cox Plate placegetter Humidor, Caulfield Cup runnerup Homesman, injured Kings Will Dream and a trio of horses unplaced in the Moonee Valley Gold Cup — The Taj Mahal, Egg Tart and Big Duke. With the withdrawals, Runaway is close to a guaranteed start, moving to 23rd in the order of entry, while Vengeur Masque (17th) is assured of his place next Tuesday after narrowly missing a berth in the past two years.