Training legend Bart Cummings said tongue in cheek last week that it was a case of "spot the Aussie" with seven runners from Europe now bidding for glory in the Emirates Melbourne Cup. Hopes must be high after Luca Cumani's heartbreaking near miss with Purple Moon 12 months ago and as a result it is the visitors who dominate the betting. So much so that they have the top three in the market and five out of the top 10. Cumani has two strings to his bow this time around with Mad Rush's recent fourth in the Caulfield Cup and Bauer landing the Geelong Cup showing each has acclimatised well after their gruelling trip half way around the world. Aidan O'Brien has a trio of hopefuls headed by topweight Septimus, who is a class apart considering this is a return back to handicap company. He romped home in the Irish St Leger on testing ground by 13 lengths but O'Brien is concerned that Flemington's surface may be on the lively side - a late decision will be taken after the trainer has assessed the conditions. Honolulu and Alessandro Volto also fly the flag for Ballydoyle but it is compatriot PROFOUND BEAUTY who can give her trainer Dermot Weld another win in the race. Weld has virtually been accepted as one of their own by the Australians after wins with Vintage Crop and Media Puzzle. Although he does not consider Profound Beauty quite in that league currently, she gets into the event with a low weight and he seems to feel she very much comes into the race in terms of handicapping. Weld is upbeat about her getting the two miles and his quote that "we are not here for a day out" suggests she is ready to run the race of her life. Weld has secured the services of jockey Glen Boss (of Makybe Diva fame) so she will not lack for an efficient service from up top. She gets the vote in what could be a watershed race for the Euro raiders, who genuinely look to have a distinct edge in class compared to the home contingent. Look for them to dominate the finish.
Septimus (IRE) (9-11) Tracked leaders in moderate 3rd, took closer order from 4f out, led early straight, soon ridden clear, stayed on strongly from 2f out, very easily, won at Curragh 1m 6f Grp 1 sft in Sept beating New Zealand (9-0) by 13l, 9 ran.
Master O'Reilly (AUS) (9-4) 10th of 12, 5l behind Maldivian (9-4) at Moonee Valley 1m 2f Grp 1 (1) gd in Oct.
Honolulu (IRE) (9-1) Tracked leaders, headway 4f out, 2nd 3f out, ridden to lead 1f out, driven clear final furlong, comfortably, won at Doncaster 2m 2f Grp 2 (1) sft in Sept beating Balkan Knight (9-1) by 4l, 9 ran.
C'est La Guerre (NZ) (9-1) 6th of 12, 3 1/2l behind Maldivian (9-4) at Moonee Valley 1m 2f Grp 1 (1) gd in Oct.
Nom Du Jeu (NZ) (8-10) 2nd of 17, 3/4l behind All The Good (8-8) at Caulfield 1m 4f Grp 1 (1) gd in Oct.
Zipping (AUS) (9-4) 2nd of 12, 1l behind Maldivian (9-4) at Moonee Valley 1m 2f Grp 1 (1) gd in Oct.
Mad Rush (USA) (8-9) 4th of 17, 2l behind All The Good (8-8) at Caulfield 1m 4f Grp 1 (1) gd in Oct.
Ice Chariot (AUS) (9-4) 5th of 11, 5l behind Theseo (9-4) at Flemington 1m 2f Grp 1 (1) gd.
Viewed (AUS) (9-4) last of 11, 7l behind Theseo (9-4) at Flemington 1m 2f Grp 1 (1) gd.
Littorio (AUS) (9-3) 8th of 11, 6l behind Theseo (9-4) at Flemington 1m 2f Grp 1 (1) gd.
Bauer (IRE) (8-10) won at Geelong 1m 4f Grp 3 (1) gd in Oct beating Moatize (8-5) by 1l, 16 ran.
Boundless (NZ) (8-6) 11th of 17, 6l behind All The Good (8-8) at Caulfield 1m 4f Grp 1 (1) gd in Oct.
Gallopin (NZ) (8-11) won at Moonee Valley 1m 4f Grp 2 (1) gd in Oct beating Baughurst (8-13) by a hd, 14 ran.
Guyno (NZ) (8-10) 5th of 16, 3l behind Bauer (8-10) at Geelong 1m 4f Grp 3 (1) gd in Oct.
Newport (AUS) (9-2) 5th of 14, 2 1/2l behind Gallopin (8-11) at Moonee Valley 1m 4f Grp 2 (1) gd in Oct.
Profound Beauty (IRE) (9-4) Tracked leaders, ridden in 3rd 2 1/2f out, moderate 2nd over 1f out, soon no extra, lost 2nd close home, 3rd of 9, 4l behind Mores Wells (9-10) at Leopardstown 1m 4f Grp 3 sft in Aug.
Red Lord (AUS) (8-11) 6th of 14, 2 1/2l behind Gallopin (8-11) at Moonee Valley 1m 4f Grp 2 (1) gd in Oct.
Varevees (9-1) 8th of 10, 16l behind Ponte Tresa (9-1) at Deauville 1m 7f Grp 2 (1) gs in Aug.
Prize Lady (NZ) (8-4) 10th of 12, 8l behind Ginga Dude (8-7) at Tauranga 1m 2f stk gd in Oct.
Alessandro Volta (9-0) Held up mid-division, ridden over 3f out, never dangerous, 10th of 14, 35l behind Conduit (9-0) at Doncaster 1m 7f Grp 1 (1) sft in Sept.
Barbaricus (AUS) (9-3) 2nd of 11, shd behind Theseo (9-4) at Flemington 1m 2f Grp 1 (1) gd.
Moatize (AUS) (8-5) won at Flemington 1m 4f hcp Grp 3 (1) gd beating Light Vision (9-0) by a shd, 10 ran.
Yellowstone (IRE) (9-11) Chased leaders in moderate 4th, ridden 5f out, soon weakened, trailing straight, 8th of 9, well behind Septimus (9-11) at Curragh 1m 6f Grp 1 sft in Sept.
Zarita (NZ) (8-10) 4th of 12, 2l behind Maldivian (9-4) at Moonee Valley 1m 2f Grp 1 (1) gd in Oct.
