KEY POINTS:
Levin trainer Peter McKenzie put it nicely when summing up the task of a Kiwi crossing the Tasman to chase a Melbourne Cup.
"Optimism reigns," he said after meeting his Cup hope Sculptor off the plane on Wednesday.
Optimism, a fair amount of luck - and money.
Connections of 24 gallopers from Australia, New Zealand, Britain and Ireland will front up with the final acceptance fee of A$41,250 ($50,000) tomorrow night for the privilege of starting in Tuesday's great race.
McKenzie awoke yesterday knowing last year's Brisbane Cup placegetter Sculptor was still just 27th in order of entry, although with trainer David Hayes' pair of Lazer Sharp and Miss Finland unlikely to start, that elevates him to 25th.
With some attrition expected from today's racing it means McKenzie should achieve his dream of having a Cup runner, although Sculptor can erase all doubt by winning today's Saab Quality (2500m) and gaining automatic Cup entry.
And forecast rain in coming days will also please McKenzie, whose horse will handle wet ground better than most in the field.
"I was hoping he'd trot off the plane and do his own rain dance," McKenzie said.
"I can't see the trip [across the Tasman] stressing him too much and we're confident he'll run well."
Mandela's Auckland owners, David and Elizabeth Olsen, are back again after their horse earned his expenses for running ninth a year ago.
But trainer Richard Yuill has said Mandela needs to produce a big improvement on his Caulfield Cup 11th in the Saab to prove his worthiness to line up on Tuesday.
Should Sculptor qualify, he'll join fellow Kiwi-trained runners Mandela, Railings and Princess Coup.
Transtasman trainers Graeme Rogerson (Gallic, Efficient and Zipping) and Mike Moroney (Eskimo Queen and Sarrera) will also have runners. Moroney is looking to repeat his 2000 win with Brew.
It's six years since the last New Zealand winner of the Cup, Sheila Laxon's mare Ethereal in 2001.
Princess Coup is easily the best-backed of the four Kiwi raiders, $21 on TAB Sportsbet yesterday.
- NZPA
