Jostling for positions in the Melbourne Cup took on a new twist on Thursday with three contenders undergoing veterinary checks and another two needing to prove themselves before the final field is declared.Dariana and Faint Perfume from the Bart Cummings stable were subjected to examination by Racing Victoria vets along with the John O'Shea-trained Jessicabeel.Adding to the drama, Cummings was hospitalised on Wednesday evening with the recurrence of a respiratory ailment requiring treatment.Both

Jostling for positions in the Melbourne Cup took on a new twist on Thursday with three contenders undergoing veterinary checks and another two needing to prove themselves before the final field is declared.

Dariana and Faint Perfume from the Bart Cummings stable were subjected to examination by Racing Victoria vets along with the John O'Shea-trained Jessicabeel.

Adding to the drama, Cummings was hospitalised on Wednesday evening with the recurrence of a respiratory ailment requiring treatment.

Both the Cummings mares have been out of form this spring but are fully qualified for the Cup and expected to take their places in the field after being passed fit.

Last year's VRC Oaks winner Faint Perfume is scheduled to run in Saturday's Mackinnon Stakes while Dariana will not run again before Tuesday's Cup.

Jessicabeel showed signs of lameness when she straggled in more than 20 lengths from the winner Precedence in the Moonee Valley Cup.

She will take her place in Saturday's Lexus Stakes but will be vetted again after that race.

O'Shea has expressed his anger over the process, fearing Jessicabeel is being targeted.

As the winner of the Australian Stayers' Challenge comprising points throughout the season, the Sydney Cup winner cannot be balloted out of the Cup.

Connections of last year's fourth and fifth Cup placegetters, Master O'Reilly and Harris Tweed, are required to supply vet certificates by Friday after both have suffered bouts of colic in the past two weeks.

Over at the international compound at Werribee, things have been accident and illness-free.

The Dermot Weld-trained Profound Beauty, who finished fifth to the Cummings-trained Viewed in 2008, was put through her paces on Thursday under the watchful of the trainer's son Mark.

Dermot Weld is expected in Australia on Sunday but has been in constant contact with his team and although pleased with the reports, he told Melbourne radio Sport 927 the Australians held the aces.

"I think it's a very competitive race this year," he said.

"I think you've got a very strong Australian team defending the Cup.

"I think it will be pretty tough for any of the international horses to win this year.

"You've seen Americain already win the Geelong Cup. But I still honestly believe the bookmakers have it right - the Australian horses are going to be hard to beat this year."

Last year's winner Shocking is the $4.50 favourite ahead of dual Cox Plate winner So You Think ($5.50) with Americain at $10.