KEY POINTS:
Question marks over Princess Coup's ability to run 3200m in a Melbourne Cup extend to most of her rivals, trainer Mark Walker said yesterday.
Walker pronounced himself 100 per cent happy with Princess Coup's build-up for Tuesday's big race ahead of her final shakedown in Saturday's weight-for-age A$750,000 ($915,000) Mackinnon Stakes at Flemington.
The New Zealand Oaks and Kelt Capital Stakes winner has drifted a few points in betting this week to $21 with Australia's TAB Sportsbet, on the seventh line of betting behind $4.50 favourite Master O'Reilly.
Ever since she slayed the 2400m Wellington Oaks field by 4-1/2 lengths in March, Walker has eyed the Melbourne Cup, confident of her ability over the ultimate distance.
"She relaxes so nicely in her races and that's why I still think she might go two miles (3200m)," he said.
"On pedigree she's not meant to but the majority of the field is in that boat too," he said.
El Segundo will seek to repeat last week's Cox plate win in the Mackinnon Stakes.
- NZPA
