Profound Beauty, 5th in the 2008 Melbourne Cup and one of the early fancies for this year’s instalment, has improved her credentials after her third consecutive victory in the Listed Challenge Stakes (2800m) at Leopardstown overnight.
The Dermot Weld-trained mare was unstoppable as she powered home to win by almost six lengths eased up.
Her next target is unclear, with Weld looking at either the Group 1 Yorkshire Oaks (2400m) over the Ebor festival or the Group 1 Irish St Leger (2800m) on September 11.
However, it is possible that her next race will be her last in the United Kingdom or Ireland, with the Melbourne Cup touted as a potential swansong before she heads to the breeding barn.
Weld already has Ascot Gold Cup winner Rite of Passage down to resume in the Irish St Leger.
Racing Victoria’s international scout Leigh Jordan has said in an interview with Sport 927 that, in addition to Profound Beauty and Rite of Passage, Weld may bring a couple of other horses to Australia.
Jordan said that Majestic Concorde is a possible Melbourne Cup runner, while the owner of Famous Name is tossing up between the Cox Plate and the Breeders’ Cup Classic.
Written by Andrew Hawkins
