The ground looks likely to be too firm for Profound Beauty at Flemington.(credit:
fastskybus)
Profound Beauty will not be tackling the Melbourne Cup at Flemington, because of the “hard ground” according to owners Moyglare Stud.
Dermot Weld’s five-year-old had been one of the antepost favourites for the big race, but connections fear that the filly could suffer from the same sort of soreness that she endured after she finished fifth in the race last year.
A spokesman for the stud said: "Profound Beauty returned very sore from Melbourne in 2008 due to the unfortunately hard ground. At the time it was thought that she might never race again. However following extensive rehabilitation, she performed admirably this year and everyone associated with the mare was excited to consider a return trip to Melbourne.
"Prepared magnificently for the race, she is in great order, but concerns remained as regards the damage done the previous year to her joints.
"With the statistical chances high that the ground would again be hard this year and following recent veterinary consultation, it was decided that to ask the mare to race again on ground that clearly does not suit hermight be a bridge too far and with regret the decision was made not to travel to Melbourne in 2009."
However, it remains a distinct possibility that the filly could be seen in the race next year, with the spokesman adding:
"That said, our team plan to return to Melbourne in the future and we plan to win the race, but this decision was made with the best interest of Profound Beauty at heart."
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