Martin Pipe arrived in Melbourne yesterday to take over the preparations for his Foster`s Melbourne Cup hope Far Cry, bringing some British weather with him.
Today Pipe was at the Sandown track where Far Cry and the majority of his fellow international raiders are stabled for an early-morning visit to his charge and had to drive through the heavy rain which has threatened to soften the ground for the Spring Carnival which gets underway at Flemington on Saturday.
But the Nicolashayne trainer was satisfied with what he saw five days ahead of Far Cry`s tilt at the big race.
'Things are going well and it`s just a case of keeping him ticking over,' said Pipe.
Far Cry is 9-1 co-second favourite with local bookmakers and he also has his supporters in other areas with leading local trainer Tony Noonan waxing lyrical about the chances of the gelding.
'I think Far Cry is a good thing,' said Noonan, who suggested Far Cry may be the best horse to come to Australia since Vintage Crop who won the race in 1993.
'I saw him run second behind Kayf Tara in the Ascot Gold Cup and his run was enormous.
'He`s been trained for the race and it makes a big difference. Far Cry has all the right ingredients.
'I don`t think we have anything good enough to beat him.'
Jockey Greg Hall, who spent part of this season in Britain, also thinks Far Cry warrants a second look.
'I rate him a very good chance,' said Hall.
'His run in the Ascot Gold Cup was outstanding.
'He only just went down to Kayf Tara, he fought very hard and he`s a genuine stayer.'
Newmarket trainer James Fanshawe is also happy with Irish St Leger winner Arctic Owl who he is hoping will improve on the performance of the last year`s stable representative Travelmaite, who finished fourth behind Rogan Josh.
'Touch wood all is well,' said Fanshawe, whose charge is available at 10-1 down under.
'He was a bit laid-back just after he arrived but I`m happy with him now and, hopefully, things will continue to go well.'
As in Great Britain, all eyes were on the sky in Melbourne as heavy rain hit the city.
Around 12mm fell overnight on the Flemington track causing concerns that the going could be heavy for Saturday`s Victoria Derby meeting which could have a knock-on effect upon Tuesday`s card.
The rain has had an affect on the local betting for the big race with mud-lover Streak the subject of some sizeable bets down under which have seen him elevated to 8-1 co-favourite with Caulfield Cup first and second Diatribe and Kaapstad Way.
The forecasters are predicting no more than showers from Saturday onwards although tomorrow may see storms in the area.
