'I want to see what weight he gets' - Dermot Weld eyeing up Melbourne Cup mission for Harbour Wind

Dermot Weld is on another Melbourne Cup mission, this time with three-year-old Harbour Wind who featured among the 132 entries released for Australia's most prestigious race on Tuesday.

It is the 30th anniversary of Weld's famous triumph with Vintage Crop and he could mark the occasion by having a runner in the 2023 Lexus Melbourne Cup, although the trainer wants to see what weight Harbour Wind is allocated before making a final decision on his participation. 

The trainer has huge respect for fellow Irish contender and ante-post favourite Vauban, who he feels will be hard to beat at Flemington. 

Weld, who also sent out Media Puzzle to win the race in 2002, said: "Harbour Wind has been entered in the Melbourne Cup and we'll see what weight he is allocated before we make a decision on whether we will send him or not. It's a possibility he could run this weekend at Leopardstown, but I haven't made up my mind yet. I'd say it's 50-50.

"The key thing with regard to Melbourne is to see what weight he gets, because I have the highest regard for Willie Mullins' horse Vauban. He's a high-class stayer who is going to be very hard to beat for any horse who runs in the race."

Weld added: "I would like to have another runner in the Melbourne Cup at some stage but, as always, you have to wait for the right horse to come along. It may be a year too soon for this horse, but he's entered and I want to see what weight he gets."

Harbour Wind has won three of his four starts and was last seen winning a Listed race at Leopardstown by three and a half lengths under Chris Hayes. That performance saw his rating rise to 106 and he is entered in the Group 3 Paddy Power Stakes over 1m4f this weekend, as well as the Petingo Handicap over a furlong further. 

Paul Bloodworth, general manager international and racing operations at Racing Victoria, said there was a strong possibility Weld could saddle his first Melbourne Cup runner since Galileo's Choice finished 20th in 2012 if he increases his rating. 

He said: "He won the Vinnie Roe very impressively, but he probably needs to get his rating up a little higher. He might be a little too low to be confident of securing a start."

Harbour Wind: Melbourne Cup hopefulCredit: CAROLINE NORRIS

Bloodworth added that Harbour Wind's owners Moyglare Stud are tempted by the trip to Melbourne.

He added: “The owners have brought horses to Australia before and I met a representative of theirs while I was there and they are very keen to come back. Hopefully the stars are aligning and Dermot will come back."

Of the 132 entries, 15 of them are international runners with William Haggas, Willie Mullins, Aidan O’Brien and his son Joseph among the trainers who could be involved.

Desert Hero, who followed up his Royal Ascot success with Group 3 victory in the Gordon Stakes at Goodwood, holds an entry, while Melbourne Cup ante-post favourite Vauban and Absurde are both on course to represent Mullins.

Ballydoyle trainer O’Brien has five entries for the race, while son Joseph has three. Leading Australian trainers Gai Waterhouse, Chris Waller, Danny O'Brien and Ciaron Maher and David Eustace are also strongly represented.

4.00 Flemington, Melbourne Cup (November 7)

Coral: 5 Vauban, 10 Soulcombe, Tower Of London, 12 Desert Hero, 14 Francesco Guardi, Lunar Flare, 16 Absurde, Breakup, Goldman, Valiant King, West End Blows, Without A Fight, 20 Bar

Read these next:

Vauban still value for Melbourne Cup after one heck of a form boost 

William Haggas reveals royal St Leger fancy Desert Hero will have unexpected Melbourne Cup entry 

Racing Post Members' Club: subscribe for just £9.99 this summer 

Sign up to receive On The Nose, our essential daily newsletter, from the Racing Post. Your unmissable morning feed, direct to your email inbox every morning.