Grab a copy of tomorrow's New Zealand Herald for your Melbourne Cup sweepstake chart
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MELBOURNE - The New Zealand owners of Princess Coup hope to take on the world with their star mare in the next two years after her first crack at the 3200m in the Melbourne Cup here tomorrow.
The plans mean she may not be seen back in New Zealand for up to a year due to equine influenza (EI) travelling restrictions and a plan to tackle next year's Melbourne autumn carnival.
Excited owners John Bromley and Ray Coupland, who watched Princess Coup run second to Sirmione in Saturday's Mackinnon Stakes (2000m) at Flemington, plan to travel even further in 2009.
The Dubai World Cup meeting and possibly the Breeders' Cup meeting in the United States have been discussed.
"We've raised Dubai with (trainer) Mark (Walker) and he's very open minded about it," Bromley said.
"Who knows, this may be the only horse that Ray and I ever have that's going to be that good. You've got to make hay while the sun shines, go on the road."
The owners beamed in the Victoria Racing Club (VRC) committee room on Saturday night after Walker drew barrier nine for Princess Coup in the cup.
TAB Sportsbet in Australia shortened her cup odds from $21 to $11 after her solid finish in the Mackinnon after missing the start by several lengths.
No matter what she does tomorrow as a four-year-old mare, carrying just 51kg for veteran jockey Noel Harris, Bromley feels her best may be yet to come.
"I think about Sunline and Makybe Diva, their best years were five, six and seven," Bromley said.
"I've never been in this business for the money, I'm in it for the thrills and the adrenaline rushes.
"As long as we've got a horse that our trainer says can fit it with the best, we'll keep running her."
In her only two Australian starts, Princess Coup was third in the Caulfield Cup and second on Saturday.
The A$135,000 ($164,000) for second in the Mackinnon boosted her earnings to just over A$1.8 million from just 22 starts, which include nine wins.
Princess Coup, by top Australian sire Encosta De Lago, will spell in Australia after the cup, then resume in the group one Orr Stakes (1400m) in Melbourne in February.
Her main target will be the group one Australian Cup (2000m) at Flemington in March.
Princess Coup is the best New Zealand chance of cup success tomorrow but Levin-trained Sculptor also raced into contention on Saturday.
A strong win under rider Lisa Cropp in the Saab Quality (2500m) brought his odds into $31, along with more confidence from Saturday night's 19ml downpour which means a likely wet track.
"It was a wonderful ride by Lisa," owner-trainer Peter McKenzie said.
"She knows him well, knows what he can do so it's wonderful to have her confidence. `He'll improve several lengths with more rain."
Railings, trained by Roger James at Cambridge, is a $301 rank outsider after a lack-lustre 12th in the Mackinnon.
A reluctant James had to be persuaded by Auckland owner Gerard Peterson to run Railings in the cup.
New Zealand trans-Tasman trainers have a strong hand, Graeme Rogerson with three runners all owned by Melbourne identity Lloyd Williams, and Mike Moroney two.
Rogerson's best chance, Zipping, drifted to $8 after drawing barrier 22 while dual 3200m winner Gallic ($18) drew 24 and last year's Victoria Derby winner Efficient ($16) barrier 10.
Moroney's pair weren't fancied by bookmakers, Queensland Oaks winner Eskimo Queen at $26 and noted wet tracker Sarrera at $101.
- NZPA
