Bowman backs raiders

Hoop says foreign horse best chance at glory

CHAMPION jockey Hugh Bowman has warned the only way to compete and win the Melbourne Cup is on an international horse.

Bowman has retained the ride on 2018 Cup runner-up Marmelo, a $15 chance with TAB, for next Tuesday’s $8 million race. Foreign raiders have won the past two Cups, and Bowman said they again held the key to victory.

Of the 152 horses nominated for the Cup in August, only 42 remain in the hunt to make up the final field of 24 runners. There are 17 internationals in the top 38 in the order of entry, including 11 guaranteed starters.

Coolmore-owned Lindsay Park-trained import Constantinople is the $7 Cup favourite ahead of Caulfield Cup winner Mer De Glace ($9).

If successful, Mer De Glace would cap a landmark Japanese sweep of Melbourne’s spring majors, following Lys Gracieux’s emphatic Cox Plate romp.

Only 11 horses in history have won the Caulfield-Melbourne Cup double and none since Kiwi mare Ethereal’s 2001 double.

Surprise Baby, Vow And Declare and Finche, now with Chris Waller but contested last year’s Cup as an international, are the only “locals” in the betting top 10 for the 3200m feature. “If you want to compete you’ve got to be on one,” Bowman said.

“I’d like to see the local industry a bit stronger at those distances but it’s not the case so a lot of Australian owners have bought into these international horses. The reality is, if you want to win it, that’s what you got to do.”

Marmelo was one of four Cup hopefuls inspected yesterday after showing signs of soreness.

The results of testing will be canvassed with trainer Hughie Morrison today.

Bowman is booked to ride Marmelo at 56kg — the same as last year, coincidentally when the hoop sensationally weighed in 1kg over the allotted 55kg.

“As we all know, I weighed in heavy last year so essentially he’s going to have the same weight as last year and meets Cross Counter (57.5kg) a lot better,” Bowman said. “The race sets up well for him… he’ll make his presence felt.”

Godolphin faces a nervous wait, with Charlie Applebytrained galloper Ispolini in doubt for the Cup.

Appleby ordered a second round of testing yesterday.