Dermot Weld has started the old 'maybe I will, maybe I won't' tactic over his mare Profound Beauty's likely Melbourne Cup bid. She made it three wins on end in the Grp 3 Ballyroan Stakes at Leopardstown in Ireland on Friday morning. Weld says the Cup remains a 'possible target' but says a final decision will be made when the handicapper releases the weights. 'A lot will depend on what handicap mark she'll get,' says the wily trainer. Profound Beauty (9/2 into 6/4) was always within striking dis
Dermot Weld has started the old 'maybe I will, maybe I won't' tactic over his mare Profound Beauty's likely Melbourne Cup bid. She made it three wins on end in the Grp 3 Ballyroan Stakes at Leopardstown in Ireland on Friday morning. Weld says the Cup remains a 'possible target' but says a final decision will be made when the handicapper releases the weights. 'A lot will depend on what handicap mark she'll get,' says the wily trainer. Profound Beauty (9/2 into 6/4) was always within striking distance before jockey Pat Smullen launched his attack in the final stages. The mare proved too strong in the run to the line to win by 1.5 lens.
Profound Beauty will have her next start in the Grp 1 Irish St Leger. It's a race Weld has used in the past to prepare the likes of Vintage Crop, Media Puzzle and Vinnie Roe before heading to Australia for the Melbourne Cup.
Three Melbourne Cup nominated horses are set to contest races in Britain at the weekend. At Newbury on Saturday, Godolphin's Age Of Reason and the Luca Cumani-trained Basaltico will tackle the Grp 3 Geoffrey Freer Stakes over 2600m. On Sunday, Coolmore's Rockhampton is down to contest the Grp 2 Royal Whip Stakes over 2000m at The Curragh.