Scorpion favourite for Melbourne
By J A McGrath
Last Updated: 1:28am BST 18/09/2007
Scorpion is likely to be the Ballydoyle runner in the Melbourne Cup in November, with stablemates Yeats and Septimus remaining in Europe for targets at Longchamp, on Arc weekend.
Speaking from Coolmore yesterday, John Magnier said: "At this stage, Aidan [O'Brien] thinks that Scorpion could be the one going to Australia. He would like to train Yeats for another attempt at the Ascot Gold Cup next year, and there are also a couple of options for Septimus as well."
Yeats produced a strong finish to overhaul long-time leader Scorpion in the closing stages of Saturday's Irish St Leger to land the Classic at the third attempt. He won by half-a-length – running almost to the pound as the Australian Handicapper had assessed them for the Melbourne Cup.
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Racing Victoria's Greg Carpenter announced yesterday that neither Yeats nor Doncaster Cup winner Septimus had incurred a penalty for the Cup. Yeats is topweight on 9st 4lb (same as last year, when 7th), Scorpion 9st 3lb and Septimus 9st.
Magnier pointed out that all plans were subject to last-minute alteration.
It was announced yesterday that Prince Khalid Abdullah will be represented by Zambezi Sun in the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe, with Passage Of Time now expected to head for the Breeders' Cup, where she is likely to contest the Filly and Mare Turf race.
Pascal Bary, trainer of Zambezi Sun, reckoned his colt needed the race more than he had presumed after finishing third to Soldier Of Fortune in Sunday's Prix Niel.
Connections of Manduro have confirmed the five-year-old will not race again after sustaining a leg injury in the Prix Foy at Longchamp on Sunday.
http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/main.j ... elb118.xml
I actually woke up that morning to watch the Epson Oaks and the race before hand that Scorpion won on HRTV. She's veryyyy good. if she actually comes, that's my pick in the F&M Turf, as I'm not enthralled with anything on this side of the ocean.