Horse Racing: Melbourne Cup - Diamond can Shine Through

The magnificent Irish trainer Dermot Weld has succeeded where many trainers based outside of the southern hemisphere have failed, in making a successful raid on Australia's most prestigious race in the calendar, the Melbourne Cup, which takes place at Flemington Park on Tuesday 1st November.Indeed, the Count Kildare-based handler sent out Vintage Crop to score in 1993 and Media Puzzle in 2002, while Vinnie Roe ran an absolute cracker in last year's renewal, failing by just over a length to repel the mare Makybe Diva, who was winning the race for the second year in succession.Weld's globetrotting seven-year-old is bound to give it a good shot again this year, but he seems to be vulnerable at this finish of races over two miles - he's at his best over 14 furlongs - and I reckon that he'll be playing for a place at best, while Makybe Diva is now eight, and I'd be surprised if she wasn't thwarted in her bid to complete an historic hat-trick of victories in this valuable contest, despite being a clear favourite to do so with just about every bookmaker.Consequently, I'm going to suggest an each-way investment in the lightly-raced Carte Diamond, who looks good value at 16-1 with Blue Square and Sporting Odds.Admittedly, Brian Ellison's charge faces a tough task, as UK-trained horses don't have a great record in this event, but the four-year-old might just buck the trend. He ran an outstanding trial for this race when finishing one length second to Sergeant Cecil in the Ebor at York in August. Considering that that was his first run for five months - and that he was attempting to concede 9lb to that smart rival - it's hard not to be mightily impressed with that performance, especially after Sergeant Cecil franked the form by giving Millenary a real race in the Group Two Doncaster Cup next time out.Crucially, Carte Diamond stays two miles well - he was a winner over that trip over hurdles earlier this year - and goes on any ground. Furthermore, he has a good cruising speed, which is all-important in this contest, as many horses find it hard to hold a position and end up being shuffled back through the field, ending up with a task tantamount to getting a bat on the end of one of Shane Warne's spinning bowls.So while it's hard to be dogmatic in this sort of race, Carte Diamond should hit the frame and reward each way punters.The Sir Michael Stoute-trained Distinction ran a fine race to be sixth in this last year and, on his best form, could reach the frame. However, he was desperately disappointing last time out when well-beaten in the Doncaster Cup and, all in all, I don't think he's good enough.Victoria Derby winner Plastered will be popular with the locals and has to be respected, but three-year-olds have a poor record in this, while Xcellent and Demerger are both leading contenders that look sure to make their presence felt for the home team. Betting verdict: 1pt e/w Carte Diamond @ 16/1