Europeans satisfied with Cup draw

Connections of the British horses contesting Tuesday`s Tooheys New Melbourne Cup declared themselves satisfied with their stalls positions after the barrier draw was made.

The Godolphin pair of Marienbard and Give The Slip will be berthed in stalls seven and 15 respectively, while the David Elsworth-trained Persian Punch who runs in the colours of Jeff Smith, will come out of gate 11.

Germany`s Caitano, who will be ridden by Johnny Murtagh, is set to start alongside Marienbard in stall 8.

'I`m happy with the draw,' said Saeed bin Suroor, who supervised his two charges in a strong piece of work.

The Godolphin trainer confirmed Frankie Dettori will ride Marienbard with Richard Hills set to be in the plate on board Give The Slip.

The jockeys left Englandafter completing their commitments at Newmarket and are set to arrive in Melbourne in time to attend a breakfast press conference with the remainder of the international connections.

Marienbard worked alongside travelling companion Hatha Anna, the pair covering the last five furlongs of their spin in a time of around a minute, while Give The Slip followed on two furlongs behind.

The latter has been mainly used as a pacemaker for Godolphin`s superstars this season but will be running on his own merits on Tuesday according to bin Suroor.

'I will talk to Richard and give instructions,' he said. 'I don`t expect him to lead but I would want him to get a good position behind the leaders.'

Referring to Marienbard, the trainer said: 'The horse is very well and I am happy with him.'

Elsworth had no complaints with the draw for Persian Punch who worked with big-race jockey Richard Quinn at their Sandown base.

Working with a local horse, Quinn cantered his mount for a circuit of the track before taking him round again, this time increasing the speed at around the seven-furlong marker.

'I said I wanted to be between four and 12 so I have no complaints,' smiled Elsworth, whose charge came out of gate 15 when he finished a three-quarter length third to Jezabeel and Champagne in his last attempt at wresting the big prize from the home team three years ago.

Backers of Universal Prince received a huge blow when the big-race favourite ran a shocking prep-race and finished down the field in the Group One Mackinnon Stakes on the opening day of the Cup meeting at a sunny and warm Flemington.

Universal Prince was more than 20 lengths adrift of eventual all-the-way winner La Bella Dama - originally due to be ridden by Dettori - and, despite attempting a strong late run, could not get in a blow on the leaders in the 10-furlong event.

Connections have kept Universal Prince - now a 10-1 chance locally - in the field for Tuesday despite vets having reported that he finished sore following today`s exertions and officials discussed the tactics used by jockey Justin Sheehan.

Bookmaker reaction to the draw saw Grosby Gold Cup third Big Pat installed as the 6-1 favourite with Caulfield Cup winner Ethereal a point longer.

Rain gauge, Kaapstad Way and Sky Heights join Universal Prince on the 10-1 mark.

The best-priced British runner is Marienbard at 12-1, while Persian Punch can be backed at 14-1.

Give The Slip and Caitano are both 25-1 chances with the local layers.