Cup trio goes into lockdown

THREE of the best-credentialed raiders to target spring carnival majors will enter quarantine on Thursday as preparations towards the first shipment of horses to Melbourne ramps up.

Confirmed Cups double contender Spanish Mission will arrive in Melbourne on September 25 with Cox Plate challengers Gold Trip and “Xfactor” State Of Rest.

Uncertainty swirled on Tuesday about the Caulfield component of Spanish Mission’s Melbourne Cup raid as trainer Andrew Balding was unable to secure a flight for yard manager Maddy O’Meara.

But Racing Victoria international manager Paul Bloodworth has confirmed Balding, resigned to O’Meara not being able to travel, is now making alternative arrangements.

“It’s 99 per cent sure that he’s (Spanish Mission) coming,” Bloodworth said.

“We’d been trying to get (O’Meara) on a flight to Melbourne … it got to a point last night where there was still uncertainty and Andrew wanted to make a decision.

Bloodworth was inundated with people putting their hand up to ride and look after Spanish Mission.