A little bit of action overseas for potential foreign raiders:

There were some qualifying races in Italy and the USA (the Premio Gran Premio Di Milano and the San Juan Capistrano Invitational Handicap, respectively) but it's unlikely any candidates were racing there.


A more likely source is Friday's Comer Group International Curragh Cup, a Group 2 2800m. Winners in past years have included Rekindling (2017) and Red Cadeaux (2011). There's currently a field of 19 though this includes several Dual Acceptors and it appears a max of 14 will make it to the gates. Twelve of the 19 horses are trained by O'Briens; 10 are sired by Galileo.

The "name horse" in the field is Latrobe who, of course, is owned by the Williams Team and was shipped to Australia to run in last year's Cup. They eventually elected not to run him there due to the horse's immaturity, instead contesting the McKinnon Stakes where Latrobe was a narrow 2nd.

Capri and Southern France have the highest ratings going into the race though there are plenty of challengers early on in their careers amongst the field. This includes Kangaroo Valley, who won a 2400m maiden by 8 lengths on Sunday (with a further 8 lengths back to third).

Barbados is back after his second placing in the Queen's Vase and Raa Atoll returns from his US trip hoping to get back on track for his owner (and sponsor of the race).


Back at Curragh on Saturday is the Dubai Duty Free Irish Derby, a 2400m Group 1 for 3yos. Latrobe won this race last year and Capri the year before. Anthony Van Dyck and Broome from Coolmore are at the top of betting currently, with Shadwell Racing's Madhmoon also under $4.

There have been a few stories of late regarding the penalisation of northern hemisphere 3 year olds in the Melbourne Cup this year (despite the information clearly appearing in the race conditions upon release over a month ago) so it will be interesting if any challengers come out of this race.


Also this weekend are the following qualifying races:

• Oslo Cup (2400m Group 3)
• Grand Prix De Saint-Cloud (2400m Group 1)
• Prix De Malleret (also at Saint-Cloud over 2400m but a Group 2 for 3yo fillies)
• Pferdewetten.De Grosser Hansa-Preis (2400m Group 2; Protectionist won in 2014 and 2016)

Looking at Melbourne Cup futures betting at Ladbrokes: Cross Counter is shortest at $15 with overseas winners Master of Reality ($16) and Amade ($21) next in line.

Raa Atoll is misspelt (Raa Atoli) at $34 and they're remarkably bullish regarding the chances of Libran ($201) given that he was sadly euthanised after a track accident earlier this month.