Weld has Melbourne Cup in mind for one horse

Tom Walter - Tuesday July 25

Legendary Irish trainer Dermot Weld could have his first Melbourne Cup runner since 2012 when the first Tuesday of November rolls around.

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Dermot Weld.

Speaking on Radio TAB on Tuesday, Weld was coy about which horse is in contention for Australia's biggest race but confirmed interest in the race nonetheless.

"There's a few possibilities, we've got one horse in particular but I don't want to say anything for another few weeks," Weld said.

"Basically, I don't have any standout horses sadly but we've got one in mind put it that way.

"We've got to see him win a certain race in a few weeks' time. All will be revealed."

Weld's last Melbourne Cup contestant was Galileo Gold, which finished 20th behind Green Moon five years ago.

Weld is said to have pioneered the globalisation of Flemington's 3200-metre event after winning with Vintage Crop in 1993 before returning nine years later to win with Media Puzzle – famous for providing jockey Damien Oliver with some consolation in the week of the death of his brother Jason.

Meanwhile, another UK galloper, Big Orange, will forego the opportunity to run in a third consecutive Melbourne Cup according to trainer Michael Bell.

Bell told Radio TAB that Big Orange's rating would be too high for the handicap conditions of the Melbourne Cup after winning the Ascot Gold Cup during the Royal Ascot carnival last month.

The son of Duke Of Marmalade finished fifth in the 2015 edition of the Melbourne Cup before a 10th place finish last year.

Bell is currently preparing Big Orange for a record-equalling third Group I Goodwood Cup (2m) next week.

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