The trainers of three of the four English Melbourne Cup raiders admit they have no idea how their horses have adapted to conditions in Australia.
They know they have the class to win - that is no problem - but the records show that settling in well to the Australian conditions is a greater guide to Melbourne Cup chances than sheer ability.
By international standards, Arctic Owl, Far Cry and Enzeli are lengths better than the 20 Australasian horses they meet in today's Cup.
Even the Godolphin-trained Lightning Arrow, considered slightly inferior to the other trio, has form to which few Cup runners could hope to aspire.
And in Lightning Arrow's favour is the fact that he has done so well since coming out of quarantine he has been able to be worked considerbly harder than almost any previous European Cup challenger.
He moved from Sandown to Caulfield recently and at Caulfield on Saturday, galloped 1600m in 1.37.
That is a remarkable time for any 3200m horse, but even more stunning for an English galloper, very few of whom gallop at anything like that speed.
He will be ridden by champion rider Frankie Dettori, who flew in to Melbourne yesterday after riding at the Breeders' Cup meeting in the United States over the weekend.
Martin Pipe says he is only hoping Far Cry is in the shape he is hoping for after a tough trip from the UK.
Pipe is a champion trainer and will have a not-so-secret weapon today in the form of blinkers, which will be worn by Far Cry for the first time.
"He is a very good stayer and the blinkers might just wake him up a bit for the race," said Pipe.
John Oxx admits he is unsure about Enzeli after the tough trip and only James Fanshawe seems reasonably happy with the shape of his runner, Arctic Owl.
Encouraging Fanshawe is the knowledge that Arctic Owl is a length better horse than Travelmate, who finished fifth in last year's Cup.
Racing: Trainers in the dark over hopes
AdvertisementAdvertise with NZME.