European horses dominate the weights published today for the Foster`s Melbourne Cup at Flemington on November 7th.
Godolphin`s Fantastic Light, runner-up to the brilliant Montjeu in the King George VI And Queen Elizabeth Diamond Stakes at Ascot last time, tops the handicap on 61kg (approximately 9st 8lb) with two-time Australian Horse of the Year Might And Power, who only returned from serious injury last Saturday, and last year`s St Leger winner Mutafaweq next on 59.5 (approx 9st 5lb).
As well as Fantastic Light and Mutafaweq, Godolphin have 11 other entries including the 1998 Prix de l`Arc de Triomphe winner Sagamix (approx 9st).
The Dubai team`s Central Park finished second under Frankie Dettori to Rogan Josh in last year`s Melbourne Cup.
There are a total of 39 British and Irish entries including 1999 Gold Cup winner Enzeli (approx 9st) from John Oxx`s Curragh yard.
Oxx also has Katiykha in the race, and the Duke Of Edinburgh Stakes winner is more likely to represent the trainer at Flemington.
'We`ve got a couple of entries but we haven`t made any plans,' Oxx said today.
'We run Katiykha in the Irish Leger and if we were to have a runner she`d be the more likely of the two.
'Enzeli runs in the Doncaster Cup on Thursday and then hopefully the Prix du Cadran.
'We haven`t really discussed it yet and we`ll have to see how Katiykha runs.'
Dermot Weld, who made history in 1993 when he saddled Vintage Crop to become the first European-trained winner of the Australian two-mile Group One contest, has Quality Team (approx 8st 3lb) and Media Puzzle (approx 8st) in this time.
Martin Pipe`s Far Cry, second in both the Gold Cup and Goodwood Cup this season, has been given 9st.
The David Elsworth-trained Persian Punch, winner of the Prix Kergorlay last time out and third in the 1998 Melbourne Cup, has been allotted 8st 10lb.
Greg Nicholls, general manager of Racing Victoria, commented: 'I`m delighted with the quality and depth of the international entry with top British and Irish stayers figuring prominently in the handicap.
'We are keen to see Persian Punch come back to Melbourne - `Elsie` likes to travel.
'But I`m a bit disappointed that not many Australian horses figure near the top of the weights.'
When asked what took his eye in the race Nicholls added: 'Tie The Knot (approx 9st 2lb) hasn`t run well in Melbourne in the past but is still a good horse and Sky Heights, who had his comeback race after his dismal showing in last year`s Melbourne Cup over a mile last Saturday, could go well.
'But you have to look around the 51 to 54 1/2 mark for horses like Streak and Freemason (approx 8st 5lb).
'Freemason is a son of Grand Lodge and is a very promising staying horse. He won the Queensland Derby and is favourite for the Melbourne Cup with the local bookmaking firms.
'There are a couple of good mares in the race. Showella from New Zealand and Hill Of Grace, winner of a 10-furlong Group One contest in Sydney.
'Mutafaweq at 10-1 is the shortest price of the British entries.'
Other interesting entries are Luca Cumani`s duo Vicious Circle (approx 8st 7lb) and Boreas (approx 7st 10lb).
Vicious Circle won the 1999 Tote Ebor and Boreas finished second to Give The Slip in this year`s York feature.
The Melbourne Cup, which has a safety limit of 24, has attracted a total of 301 entries.
