| Early
Melbourne Cup favourite Vinnie Roe is on track for Australia's richest race despite being
beaten overnight. The four-year-old son of Definite
Article found last year's winner, the Mark Johnston trained Royal Rebel a touch too good.
The margin between the two was a neck.
Vinnie Roe's trainer Dermot Weld, the only international
trainer to win a Cup thanks to Vintage Crop, said the Melbourne Cup was definitely still
the aim.
"He's run a cracking race," Weld told reporters
after the Ascot Gold Cup was run.
"He'll have a little break then will be back for his
prep race before going for the Irish St Leger and then the Melbourne Cup," Weld
added. "That has always been the plan and I don't see any need to change it."
Meanwhile, there was better luck for Weld on the same card
when the Danehill filly Irresistable Jewel proved too strong in the Group Two Ribbesdale
Stakes.
It was the second straight win for Irresistable Jewel. She
easily won a maiden at Naas a little over two weeks earlier. |
