By MIKE DILLON
Class stayer Desert Rain has been transferred to Australian trainer David Hall and money has poured in to back him in the $A3.38 million Melbourne Cup in November.
Desert Rain was flown to Melbourne this week, Auckland owner Bob Emery deciding the gigantic gelding was better placed in Australia than attempting a campaign there in the spring.
"He's always been a slow-maturing horse and I felt if he's ever going to have a peak period it's going to be this year," said Emery.
Desert Rain was one of the favourites for the 1997 New Zealand Derby but struck leg trouble on the eve of the race and was spelled for more than a year.
He dropped out as favourite in the closing stages of January's Wellington Cup, his Sydney rider Chris Munce declaring the horse still too immature for the big task.
Emery says he is not getting carried away with expectations.
"I'm not particularly expecting him to run in the Melbourne Cup, but if David Hall feels his form is right, then fine."
Melbourne bookmakers declared yesterday that someone likes Desert Rain's Melbourne Cup chances.
"We've been asked to lay him for a lot of money," said Brian Taylor, manager for Double Bet.
But the punt pales when compared to the avalanche of Melbourne Cup money that has arrived for Oxford Dollar, who finished third in a much easier Adelaide Cup, but came from last to do it.
Much of the money had been laid at odds of up to 200-1 before bookies realised Oxford Dollar had been transferred from a small stable to Cups king Bart Cummings, who will attempt to repeat the scenario he created with last year's winner Rogan Josh.
"Despite the fact his form is not yet up to Melbourne Cup standard, we've already laid him to win $4million," said Taylor.
"There has also been money for two other Cummings' horses, Beat The Fade and Master Touch."
Former New Zealand 3-year-old Citra's Prince, now trained in Melbourne by Cliff Brown, has been heavily backed in what appears to be a plunge inspired by his connections.
Kiwi mare Showella is high in the market for both the Caulfield and Melbourne Cups.
Racing: Desert Rain attracts big money
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