Racing: Media Puzzle eyes Cup bid

Media Puzzle took what may turn out to be the first step towards his second Melbourne Cup when he won in Ireland on Wednesday.

The 2002 Cup winner at Flemington won the £40,000 ($118,000) Seamus McGrath Memorial Saval Beg Stakes over one mile six furlongs at Leapardstown.

Cagey trainer Dermot Weld has suggested there could be a second Melbourne Cup attempt and Auckland bookmakers are on the alert already.

"I suppose Dermot will now aim him at the Ascot Gold Cup then head to Australia," said Brian Taylor of DoubleBet.

Media Puzzle started third favourite at 13/2 ($7.50) and beat the four horses assessed higher in the ratings. The 3/1 favourite Helena Molony finished fifth.

* Kieren Fallon, bidding for his fourth English Derby win in eight years, will ride Horatio Nelson in Saturday's (Sunday morning NZT) race at Epsom.

Fallon had the choice between Aidan O'Brien's Horatio Nelson or Michael Stoute's Papal Bull in the 227th running of the biggest race of the British racing season.

- REUTERS