Tawqeet will run in Melbourne Cup 2006

Despite a late injury scare leading Melbourne Cup hopeful Tawqeet is expected to run in Tuesday's race .
The Caulfield Cup winner, formerly trained in England but now with Australia's David Hayes, twisted a shoe on the eve of the contest.
Tawqeet was vying for favouritism with bookmakers alongside Irish challenger Yeats, the mount of Kieren Fallon.
A maximum field of 24 runners is set to line up for the event, which is known as 'the race that stops a nation.'



Tawqeet, owned by Sheikh Hamdan Al Maktoum, was formerly trained by John Dunlop and finished third behind Scorpion in the 2005 St Leger.

"He was just messing around and twisted a shoe," said Sheikh Hamdan's racing manager Angus Gold.

"Normally it happens every day and you wouldn't be concerned about it but obviously a day before the Melbourne Cup you have to be careful and take every precaution. All being well he'll be sound in the morning."

Hayes hopes Tawqeet can become the fourth Australian winner in a row, following the famous treble of Makybe Diva.

Glen Boss, who rode Makybe Diva to all three victories, will try to make it four in a row personally aboard Zipping.

Tuesday is an official holiday in the state of Victoria, and many workers all over Australia will take time out to watch the 146th running of the contest at 3pm local time (0400 GMT).


Fallon faces a criminal trial in 2007 - but denies wrongdoing
A crowd topping 100,000 is expected at Flemington racecourse, with millions more watching on television, plunging about A$140 million (£57m) in bets on the outcome.

Yeats, winner of the Ascot Gold Cup and Goodwood Cup, is bidding to become only the third European horse to triumph in the famous two-mile (3200m) handicap race.

His Irish trainer Aidan O'Brien hopes the top-weight can follow the exploits of compatriot Dermot Weld, who won the 1993 event with Vintage Crop, and followed up nine years later thanks to Media Puzzle.

Fallon, who is banned from racing in the UK while he awaits trial on race-fixing allegations, was granted a special licence to ride in Australia.

He is contesting the criminal charges, and has threatened to retire if the case is not dealt with in the near future.

"If I don't get it resolved before the start of the next Flat season (March) that's me finished - I'll have to retire," he said.

Four English horses are among the Melbourne field - Geordieland, Imperial Stride, Land 'n Stars and Glistening.

Frankie Dettori rides Goodwood Cup runner-up Geordieland for trainer Jamie Osborne.

Other leading contenders include the Japanese stayers Pop Rock, ridden by Australian Damien Oliver, and Delta Blues.

So what are the latest odds??????

Melbourne Cup betting

7-2 Yeats 9-2 Tawqeet 13-2 Efficient 15-2 Pop Rock
10 Maybe Better 12 Geordieland, Delta Blues 16 Activation, Zipping 18 On A Jeune 20 Dizelle 25 Mandela
28 Glistening 33 Kerry O'Reilly 40 Railings 50 Art Success, Headturner 66 Land 'n Stars 100 Demerger, Dolphin Jo, Mahtoum 150 Ice Chariot, Zabeat 200 Short Pause
(William Hill)