A boilover from a master trainer couldn't dampen the excitement of Princess Coup's New Zealand owners after a top Melbourne Cup trial at Flemington yesterday.
The New Zealand Oaks-Kelt Capital Stakes winner followed through from her Caulfield Cup third placing with a solid second to the Bart Cummings-trainedSirmione in the Group One weight-for-age Mackinnon Stakes (2000m).
It earned her owners Ray Coupland and John Bromley A$135,000 ($164,315) and ensured she was a live chance in Tuesday's Cup.
"She missed four lengths at the start against the name horses of Australia. We're thrilled," Coupland told NZPA. "She's a special mare. The Australians now know she's up to them."
Australia's TAB Sportsbet reacted by shortening her Melbourne Cup odds from $21 to $11, but the big shortener was the Graeme Rogerson-trained Zipping. who came into $6 second favouritism after storming home for third.
Kerrin McEvoy, who relinquishes the ride on Princess Coup to veteran New Zealander Noel Harris on Tuesday said: "After that run, if she stays the trip (3200m) she's definitely a top four or five chance."
Princess Coup missed the start but recovered to settle just behind midfield in a fast race. Devil Moon shot clear halfway down the straight before Princess Coup unleashed her run down the outside, then Sirmione swamped the pair to win by 1 1/2 lengths.
Zipping was a half-length further back, delighting her transtasman trainer Rogerson, who labelled it a "super run" from a Cup point of view.
