It's a fair cop, guvnor! UK trainer Ed Dunlop says Red Cadeaux's increased 2012 Melbourne Cup weight is "fair" ahead of the stayer's second bid to land the Melbourne Cup. He missed out by that famous 'nose' to Dunaden last year and now has a 2kgs weight rise to 55.5kgs. Dunlop says: 'Of course you never want to carry 4lb (2kg) more in a race where you got beaten by three pixels but he's an improved horse and I'm sure it's a fair assessment of what he's achieved...'In more UK Cup news,
It's a fair cop, guvnor! UK trainer Ed Dunlop says Red Cadeaux's increased 2012 Melbourne Cup weight is "fair" ahead of the stayer's second bid to land the Melbourne Cup. He missed out by that famous 'nose' to Dunaden last year and now has a 2kgs weight rise to 55.5kgs. Dunlop says: 'Of course you never want to carry 4lb (2kg) more in a race where you got beaten by three pixels but he's an improved horse and I'm sure it's a fair assessment of what he's achieved...'
In more UK Cup news, Luca Cumani seems to be trying to talk down his team's Melbourne Cup chances even though he has the current favorite Mount Athos. It's received a 54kgs weight rating from Racing Victoria's chief handicapper Greg Carpenter. Cumani also has the well-fancied Quest For Peace in the Melbourne Cup. The pair went into quarantine in England last week. Cumani says: 'I think the team is pretty good but we've had strong teams in the past and we've managed to be second at best...It's a very tough race and a very tough journey so we know it will not be easy...I'm happy with the horses, they've been in quarantine since last Thursday and everything is going swimmingly.'
Early news for Saturday...Shoot Out ($4.60 to $4.40) has attracted some early interest to win Saturday's George Main Stakes (1600m) at Randwick, according to TAB.com.au. The Chris Waller-trained galloper attempts the mile first-up, but has the benefit of three trials. Currently. he is $9 equal second fav behind Fat Al ($7) to win the Epsom Handicap. Other betting news: Manighar opens $3.40 favorite in the Underwood Stakes and has attracted most of the early support. Rain Affair ($3.50)opens fav despite a disappointing fourth last start as an odds-on chance.
Warning from the master...The Melb Herald-Sun reports: 'Peter Moody says new stable star Manighar has improved out of sight...The import will now ignore the Caulfield Cup and concentrate on the Cox Plate. "He has stepped up again - frightening, hopefully, for the opposition," Moody says.'