Diamond Cup Bid In The Balance

Brian Ellison rates Carte Diamond's chances of running in the Melbourne Cup as '50-50'.

The Malton-based handler arrived in Australia last week with the intention of running his talented five-year-old twice ? one race being the valuable Caulfield Cup ? before the November 7 highlight at Flemington.

However, Carte Diamond's preparations hit a major snag after the Ashley Carr-owned stayer last month sustained a tendon injury galloping in the care of Australian handler Alex Macpherson at Denistoun Park on the Mornington Peninsula.

Speaking from Melbourne, Ellison acknowledged the son of Theatrical, who has been allotted with 8st 4lb (52.5kg) for the Emirates-sponsored contest, would now have to go straight for the Cup without a prep run ? if he proves his fitness in time.

Ellison said: 'We've been swimming with him and have been in the sea since I've been here, and that's gone well.

'We are just taking everyday as it comes.

'I would say it's 50-50 at the moment. He's got a bang on the leg ? he's not lame, he's sound.

'He'd done loads of work before that so if it (his leg) stands up to work again, he'll go to the Melbourne Cup without another run, at the moment.

'He's certainly got a nice weight if he does run.'

Connections of Carte Diamond were denied the opportunity of competing in last year's renewal after he impaled his hind-leg on a metal stake when crashing through a running rail in a workout at Flemington just seven days before the race.

? PA Sport