Melbourne trip is top of the list for Ed Dunlop's globetrotting head groom

Ed Dunlop's travelling head groom Robin Trevor-Jones has travelled with 30 top-level winners across seven countries and ranks the Spring Carnival trip to Melbourne as his favourite.

Trevor-Jones has fond memories of Group 1 winners in the US, France and Japan among other countries, including with great mares Ouija Board and Snow Fairy, and hopes to add Australia to his impressive tally with Caulfield Cup and Melbourne Cup hope Red Verdon.

The Dunlop team and owner Ronnie Arculli went so close to landing Australia's most prestigious race with three-time runner-up Red Cadeaux, making them all the more determined to go one better this year.

Trevor-Jones said: "I've travelled with 30 Group 1 winners in seven different countries but I've never had one in Australia, albeit lots of seconds. I’d love this to be the year.

"This trip is number one for me. The Melbourne Cup just grabs you, particularly after going so close with Red Cadeaux three times, and it's easy to understand why people love the race.

On celebrations should Red Verdon be successful, Trevor-Jones added: "I would definitely need someone to drive me to Werribee to take me to Red Verdon the next day because I'm sure I wouldn’t pass the breath test!"

Red Verdon: contests the Stella Artois Caulfield Cup on SaturdayCredit: Alan Crowhurst

There are horses from 12 different British or Irish-based yards at the Werribee training centre and Trevor-Jones's vast experience has already come in handy for many of the fellow stable staff on site.

Trevor-Jones said: "Wherever you go there will be horses that have issues, just like they do at home. I try and help everybody with whatever they need.

"I've got three massive hampers of racing gear that I bring to Australia and everybody in the barn has used some of it already. I'd love it to run smoothly for everyone, but we're dealing with racehorses so that will never be the case.”

Returning the favour

A Diamond Jubilee winner could play a part in Melbourne Cup success next month if Southern France strikes for Ciaron Maher and James Eustace's son David.

Maher sent Merchant Navy to Coolmore last year, during a six-month suspension period for the trainer after a Group 1 winner in his yard was found to be owned by conman Peter Foster, with the star sprinter leaving stand-in trainer Aaron Purcell and winning at Group 2 and Group 1 level for Aidan O’Brien prior to being retired to stud.

Maher has subsequently visited Ballydoyle twice, once during Royal Ascot and again to watch Southern France finish third in the Irish St Leger at the Curragh.

Maher said: "I told Aidan when we visited that I sent him a good one in Merchant Navy so it’s about time he returned the favour!

"Ballydoyle is an amazing place. You’ve got everything you would want in a racing stable there and an incredible team to back it up."

Southern France finished three-quarters of a length behind the all-conquering Stradivarius in the Yorkshire Cup in May, and will head straight to the Lexus-sponsored Melbourne Cup at Flemington on November 5.

There is plenty of confidence behind the general 20-1 chance, and Maher added: "He looks really well and seems in a really good spot since travelling over last weekend.

"Aidan gave a good word for him and felt he improved into the Irish St Leger. He's quite a big horse but has come into his own as a four-year-old. I've seen enough from him to think he’s got a genuine chance."

Cox Plate logjam rolls on

Last year connections were quite rightly running scared of Winx in the Ladbrokes Cox Plate as just seven runners, including the Saeed bin Suroor-trained second Benbatl, took her on.

It's quite a different story without the wondermare this time.

Such is the demand to run in the A$5,050,000 (£2.67m/€3.09m) at Moonee Valley on Saturday week, that the Moonee Valley Racing Club will review the 'win and you're in' races for the weight-for-age championship contest going forward.

Winx: a four-time winner of the Ladbrokes Cox PlateCredit: Vince Caligiuri (Getty Images)

The race conditions allow the MVRC to select the field with the assistance of an advisory panel, including the chief handicapper, without being bound to the race exemptions should there be more intended runners than the field limit of 14 plus four reserves.

Japanese hopes rest with 4-1 favourite Lys Gracieux and Kluger, who are invited runners along with the David Menuisier-trained Danceteria. Magic Wand, trained by Aidan O'Brien, is almost certainly guaranteed a run, while stablemate Hunting Horn and Dream Castle are two other Irish and British-trained contenders hoping to get in.

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