Morrison: Marmelo has the potential to be best I've ever trained

Britain remains poverty-stricken when it comes to the world's richest handicap as, despite the best efforts of Red Cadeaux, they're yet to win the Melbourne Cup.

Ed Dunlop's globetrotter finished second in the race three times between 2011 and 2014, losing out by just a nose to Dunaden in the tightest finish of all time in 2011. It is the closest Britain has come to earning bragging rights but Marmelo might be able to change that.

"I think he has the potential to be the best I've ever had," Hughie Morrison, his trainer, said. "Christophe Soumillon said after he won the Kergolay that this horse will win a big one. I'm not quite sure what he meant but I imagine he was thinking a Group 1 over two miles back home.

"Whether he stays the Ascot Gold Cup trip I'm not sure but he certainly has the potential to win a Prix Royal Oak or a Goodwood Cup in the coming years. It's all very exciting."

Marmelo shot to the summit of the Melbourne Cup market following a staying-on sixth in the Caulfield Cup.

"Hugh Bowman hopped off the horse at Caulfield and said just four words to Tom Pirie, who looks after the horse – 'we are in business'. That was very encouraging. He's moving great, he looks great and I'm really looking forward to the race," Morrison said.

Marmelo: reported to be none the worse for his Caulfield Cup effort by travelling head lad Tom Pirie

Fire ready to turn into inferno

Hugo Palmer departed from Del Mar on Friday to finalise Wall Of Fire's final preparations and was greeted by a horse in rude health and ready to do himself justice.

Palmer said: "I'm really happy with how he looked when I got here. I obviously haven't seen a great deal of him because I've been other places around the world but he looks tremendous and he really loves going to the beach everyday. That really freshens him up. He has put on a lot of muscle from walking in the sea.

"He is bang on his normal racing weight and he is moving great. This horse's preparation for this started in December and he arrived here a very fresh horse."

Few races at the Spring Carnival have worked out better than the Group 2 Herbert Power Stakes at Caulfield last month. Boom Time, who was only fourth, won the Caulfield Cup on his next start and Palmer was really pleased to see Wall Of Fire, who finished runner-up to Lord Fandango, cope with quick ground so well.

"His last two wins were on a soft surface so there was always a question in the back of my mind as to whether he would handle much quicker ground. He ran really well at Caulfield on a fast surface so those doubts have been banished," Palmer stressed.

Wall Of Fire: stretching his legs at Werribee racecourse on Sunday morningCredit: John Grossick Racing Photography

Ebor hero can make Scotland proud

The Tartan Army is ready for battle. Iain Jardine is not a name the locals are too familiar with but he's built a big reputation in Scotland following Nakeeta's Ebor success and is bidding to go one better than last year's Ebor winner Heartbreak City did in the race 12 months ago.

"The decision to come here was strongly based on how well Heartbreak City ran in the race last year. He won the Ebor too, so we are hoping it's a good Melbourne Cup trial," Jardine said.

He added: "Nakeeta has needed time to strengthen up and grow and you are seeing the best of him only now. He's got a lot of confidence from winning one or two races as well. He's improved with age and is a very decent little horse.

"He's got a bit of speed, he's tough so he can hold his position and he stays well so I think they are some important attributes that he will need during the race."

Nakeeta and Iain Jardine: could this be the team to end the British hoodoo in the Melbourne Cup?Credit: Edward Whitaker

BRITISH RECORD THIS DECADE

2016
Qewy (4th)
Beautiful Romance (7th)
Big Orange (10th)
Oceanographer (12th)
Secret Number (21st)

2015
Trip To Paris (4th)
Big Orange (5th)
Quest For More (9th)
Sky Hunter (22nd)
Snow Sky (23rd)
Red Cadeaux (pulled-up)

2014
Red Cadeaux (2nd)
Willing Foe (5th)
Seismos (9th)
Gatewood (12th)
Ambivalent (17th)

2013
Red Cadeaux (2nd)
Mount Athos (3rd)
Dandino (5th)
Brown Panther (8th)
Royal Empire (14th)
Ruscello (23rd)

2012
Jakkalberry (3rd)
Mount Athos (5th)
Red Cadeaux (8th)
Quest For Peace (10th)
Cavalryman (12th)

2011
Red Cadeaux (2nd)
Manighar (5th)
Lost In The Moon (6th)
Fox Hunt (7th)
Drunken Sailor (12th)
Moyenne Corniche (15th)
Saptapadi (16th)
Jukebox Jury (20th)
Modun (23rd)

2010
Holberg (6th)
Manighar (7th)
Illustrious Blue (9th)
Campanologist (16th)

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