News

Last hurrah for Danehill in Melbourne Cup

29th Jun 2009

*AAP Racing - Monday, 29 June 2009

Few feature races evaded Danehill during his incomparable career shuttling to Coolmore's Australian base between 1990 and 2002.

The only silverware missing from his trophy cabinet has been a Melbourne Cup although legendary mare Makybe Diva is by Danehill sire Desert King. He also came close when Nothin' Leica Dane split Doriemus and Vintage Crop on the first Tuesday in November in 1995.

Vintage Crop had won the 1993 Melbourne Cup and his trainer Dermot Weld returned in 2002 to win the Cup for a second time with Media Puzzle.

Weld was back in Australia last year with Profound Beauty, an Irish mare from the last northern hemisphere crop sired by Danehill, and she did extra when fifth (beaten less than three lengths) by Viewed.

Profound Beauty (5m Danehill--Diamond Trim by Highest Honor) warmed up for another visit to Flemington with a G3 victory in the Curragh Cup on Saturday. She survived a stewards' inquiry after second-placed Alandi (Galileo) appeared to be blocked for room.

"She's in the Irish Leger, and that's going to be the obvious follow-on from here," Weld said yesterday. "The Melbourne Cup is again her end-of-year target. I think she's a stronger filly this time around."

Profound Beauty is currently quoted at $34 in pre-post markets for the 2009 Melbourne Cup.

• Thoroughbred Express