O'Brien fears heavy weight for Yeats

/ Editor / 22 June 2007 / Leave a Comment

Ascot Gold Cup winner Yeats may once again head down under for the Melbourne Cup in November, but trainer Aidan O'Brien fears a big weight in the staying event.

The six-year-old ran out an impressive winner of the 2m 4f Ascot contest on Thursday, repeating his success in 2006, and looks likely to be a popular selection for traders in the November 6 feature at Flemington Park, a race in which he finished a creditable seventh last season.

However, O'Brien is wary of how the authority of his win may be viewed when the Melbourne Cup weights are published in a few months time.

"They'll pile as much weight as they can on him," he said. "He'll be weighted to his full ability. Going all that way, you want a bit up your sleeve."

Yeats currently heads a wide open Melbourne Cup market on 12, ahead of Efficient on 17 with Maybe Better, Pop Rock and Tuesday Joy all trading at 24.

Geordieland, beaten by Yeats in the Gold Cup and a disappointing runner in the Melbourne Cup last season, can be backed at 28.