WITH a stage full of Melbourne Cup-winning trainers, jockeys and owners on hand to help launch the $6 million 150th edition of the race at Flemington, there was much talk of Cups past yesterday, reports The Age.It says: The countdown clock that flashed up on the screen showed there were 273 days to go until the first Tuesday in November. But, with the likes of Ireland's dual Cup-winning trainer Dermot Weld and 2006 winning trainer Katsuhiko Sumii on hand, and even owner Lloyd Williams making a r

WITH a stage full of Melbourne Cup-winning trainers, jockeys and owners on hand to help launch the $6 million 150th edition of the race at Flemington, there was much talk of Cups past yesterday, reports The Age.

It says: The countdown clock that flashed up on the screen showed there were 273 days to go until the first Tuesday in November. But, with the likes of Ireland's dual Cup-winning trainer Dermot Weld and 2006 winning trainer Katsuhiko Sumii on hand, and even owner Lloyd Williams making a rare public appearance, the talk quickly turned to who might be lining up in this year's race.

Williams pointed out that the Cup was a long way away but said he hoped to have two or three runners including 2007 winner Efficient, who is in light work. He has won the race three times but made a concerted effort at yearlings sales in Australasia is 2006 and 2007 to buy yearlings who might be able to measure up to starting in this year's race.

As well, a recent buying spree in Europe netted a large contingent of tried stayers, headed by Irish St Leger winner Alandi. ''I've got no idea but I've got a lot of European horses at the moment as well as many locally bred,'' Williams said when asked how many horses he had aimed at the Cup.

''We've got a lot of Zabeels, and as you saw last year with Shocking, they can be a maiden [now] and then go on. You never know.''

Williams admitted he had bought tried horses previously from overseas with only limited success - they have included the likes of Caulfield Cup runner-up Nayrizi - but with the 150th Cup up for grabs, he had decided to try again.

''That's what happens in your old age. You get a bit senile and do some strange things,'' he joked.

Alandi, who was trained by John Oxx, has been ridden in all his eight starts by Michael Kinane.