By Adrian Ceddia
A DISTINCT international flavour will hit the track for the running of the 2006 Werribee Cup tomorrow (Wednesday).
Six horses from New Zealand have been entered for the $150,000 feature race, which will be run over 2000 metres at 4.20pm.
Among them is top weight Delvecchio who, if successful, would have to carry the second-highest weight in the history of the cup.
Thoughts of a surprise entry from 2005 winner Roman Arch were dismissed when the full field was finalised on Monday morning.
Sixteen runners were finalised from an initial list of 34 nominations, with none of last year’s entrants returning for another try.
Ken Keys-trained Blue Collar Jack is looming as the one to beat after his recent win in the Cranbourne Cup and 13 placings in his 23 starts.
Delvecchio is also rated a solid chance in the race after drawing a favourable inside barrier and being a highly rated emergency for Saturday’s Moonee Valley Cup.
David Hayes, one of the year’s leading trainers, has two chances in the race, Ulysses and Very Sydney.
Both have drawn tough outside barriers, with Ulysses considered the better of the two chances with Craig Williams on board.
Another of the New Zealand runners, veteran Satinspin, is tipped to be in the market when they jump from the barriers.
A number of quality jockeys have also committed to the cup, led by Steven King, who will take the mount on Jukebox Johnny.
The Werribee Cup is considered one of the form guides for the Melbourne Cup, and includes winners the calibre of Makybe Diva.
Prizemoney includes $90,000 for the winner, $27,000 for second and $13,500 for third.
The cup is the eighth race on the card for tomorrow’s meeting, with race one scheduled for 12.05pm.
