Godolphin rallies team

STAND by for the annual invasion of the Blue Army.

Still seeking his first Melbourne Cup triumph, Sheik Mohammed will send two English-based Godolphin teams with up to eight spring carnival contenders.

Trainers Saeed bin Suroor and Charlie Appleby will link with James Cummings’ Australian operation, bidding to fill the one glaring hole in the sheik’s impressive career.

Godolphin has had 26 runners in 18 Cups since 1998 for a best of three seconds: Central Park (1999), Give The Slip (2001) and Crime Scene (’09).

The world’s largest racing organisation last year had five Cup runners. Hartnell (third), Qewy (fourth) and Secret Romance (seventh) were the best finishers.

Hopefuls this year include Prize Money, Natural Scenery, Winning Story, Red Galileo, Francis Of Assisi and Qewy.