Mick Unlikely To Tackle Melbourne

Young Mick is unlikely to travel to Australia for the Emirates Melbourne Cup, despite taking his winning tally for the year to 10 at Ascot last Sunday.

Although a decision about the Flemington showpiece on November 7 will not be made until the weekend, it is doubtful that the four-year-old will be asked to travel halfway round the world after being on the go all year.

Rated 54 when beaten in a maiden at Wolverhampton in January, Young Mick won the Group Three Cumberland Lodge Stakes at his beloved Ascot where he is unbeaten in four races this year, in what was his 19th race of 2006.

'I won't make my mind up about Melbourne until the weekend but the chances are he won't go,' said trainer George Margarson.

'He's done us proud and he's so tough. I don't know where it's going to end.

'He's had a long year and we think the travelling over will probably drain him and we don't have to finish him off on a low.

'If I was going to do anything I may send him to Dubai in December to have a month of sun, give him a couple of runs March time, then bring him back here for a summer campaign.

'There are a couple of little options for him, but there's not much over here for him.

'He won't run on Friday at Newmarket, but there's a Group Two at Longchamp on October 15 over a mile and a half that could be suitable if the ground was right.

'There's also a 0-105 handicap at Ascot in a couple of weeks, but I think the handicapper might pop him up a bit above that.'

(C) PA Sport