More Melbourne Cup news Alain de Royer-Dupre has no qualms about running Verema in Tuesday's Emirates Melbourne Cup on what will be the filly's first start since the middle of August. It will be a maiden appearance for the Aga Khan's famous green and red colours in the Australian highlight and Verema has been backed steadily in recent days to around 12-1. The four-year-old daughter of Barathea was third in the Dubai Gold Cup in March and has been successful in her last two starts, the Prix Maurice de Nieuil and the Prix Kergorlay. On the latter occasion, she defeated subsequent Canadian International winner Joshua Tree. Royer-Dupre has earned the respect of Victorian natives for his exploits with Americain, who three years ago became France's first winner at Flemington. Arriving on the back of a win in the Kergorlay, Americain was given a sighter in the Geelong Cup, and also won an event at Moonee Valley prior to his fourth place in a follow-up visit 12 months later. "Compared to Americain, we don't do prep races because it would be too much for the filly," the trainer said. "Her best performances have always been after a month or so out, and she doesn't need too much work. She looks much better than in Newmarket (quarantine) and I'm very pleased with her. When I proposed to come (the Aga Khan) was very happy to accept." Irish St Leger winner Voleuse De Coeurs will now be representing Australia as she has moved from Dermot Weld to Mike Moroney. Weld, twice a Cup winner, had elected not to send her to Australia but she was the subject of a big-money transfer and his hands were tied. Not seen since her six-length triumph at the Curragh, Voleuse De Coeurs is to be partnered on Tuesday by James McDonald, who impressed on a working holiday in Britain in the summer. The New Zealand jockey gave her a reasonably serious piece of work at the Werribee quarantine centre on Friday morning. "I'm really happy with her, I'm amazed, as in all my years travelling with horses, I've never had one that's come in so well from day one," said Moroney. "Its a bit of surprise as she has come a long way, but she hasn't put a foot wrong. Moroney won the Cup in 2000 with Brew, who rather endearingly appeared in a bar for a photocall with his old rider Kerrin McEvoy this week. The trainer is prepared to take the risk of running for connections to boost her breeding credentials and David O'Callaghan of Eliza Park International, who bought the mare for a syndicate of owners, said: "She will probably go to stud in the northern hemisphere being a Group One winner in Ireland. "Her stamina will be very attractive to that part of the world but after running in this year's Melbourne Cup and hopefully next year's as well, she will certainly add to her value."
