Dermot Weld's Melbourne Cup hope Profound Beauty has made a winning start to her season with victory at Leopardstown.The mare, who finished fifth in the 2008 Melbourne Cup won by Viewed, was having her first start since running fourth in the Irish St Leger last September.Sent out a 4-1 chance at Leopardstown, Profound Beauty strode past odds-on favourite Age Of Aquarius to win a 2800m Listed race by half a length."Profound Beauty is a very good racemare and she may finish her career in the Melbo

Dermot Weld's Melbourne Cup hope Profound Beauty has made a winning start to her season with victory at Leopardstown.

The mare, who finished fifth in the 2008 Melbourne Cup won by Viewed, was having her first start since running fourth in the Irish St Leger last September.

Sent out a 4-1 chance at Leopardstown, Profound Beauty strode past odds-on favourite Age Of Aquarius to win a 2800m Listed race by half a length.

"Profound Beauty is a very good racemare and she may finish her career in the Melbourne Cup in November," Weld said.

"The ground today was beautiful and she loved the surface."

Profound Beauty missed last year's Melbourne Cup when her owner, Moyglare Stud, opted to keep her at home fearing the ground would be too hard.

Weld said the mare would head to the Curragh Cup and the Irish St Leger on her way to the Melbourne Cup for which she was quoted at 14-1 by William Hill after the race.

The trainer is the only European to win the Melbourne Cup, a feat he has achieved twice with Vintage Crop in 1993 and Media Puzzle in 2002.

Jockey Pat Smullen said he thought Profound Beauty was better than she had ever been.

"She quickened up very well but got a little bit tired," he said.

"I may have got there too soon on her as she got tired in the last 100 yards after I let her go, but class always tells and she got me home.

"I think all those staying races are open to her now. I think she's even better now than she was last year and if anything she's probably getting a shade quicker.

"She's a great advertisement for keeping older horses in training."

Age Of Aquarius, who is trained by Aidan O'Brien, will press on to the Ascot Gold Cup.