O'Brien concern over ground

Ballydoyle maestro hoping rain arrives in Melbourne

Last updated: 29th October 2008   Subscribe to RSS Feed

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Aidan O'Brien is hoping conditions are suitable for his three Melbourne Cup runners, particularly favourite Septimus.

The master of Ballydoyle has called upon the Victorian Racing Club to present safe ground for next Tuesday's feature with Melbourne enduring one of its driest Octobers on record.

And while rain is forecast in the days leading up to the race, O'Brien wants the authorities to take every precaution that conditions are perfect for the 'race that stops the nation'.

"We want safe ground. It gives every horse a chance and no-one wants hard ground where horses are going to get injured," he said.

"All we want is ground where the horses will come back safe and I think everybody, including the Australian trainers, would agree with that."

Meanwhile, connections of defending champion Efficient have scratched the gelding after he suffered a fetlock injury, leaving Septimus and the Luca Cumani-trained Mad Rush as clear market leaders.