Melbourne Cup favourite 'So You Think' is causing debate, with various trainers disagreeing over whether or not he can stay the longer distance at Flemington next week.
So You Think won his second consecutive Cox Plate at Moonee Valley on Saturday and has already claimed nearly $5 million in prize money from just 10 starts.
Bart Cumnings, So You Thinks' master trainer is set to run him at the Mackinnon Stakes on Saturday before a tilt at the Cup on Tuesday.
But the four-year-old has never run beyond 2,040 metres and several trainers believe he will be tested over 3,200m.
"(But) the way he's so good at 2,000 makes you think that it might be a little bit difficult for him to be as good over 3,200."
"He's a very good horse for sure but whether he can stay the Melbourne Cup distance, I have my reservations," retired international jockey Mick Kinnane said.
The Melbourne Cup carnival was officially launched yesterday with previous winners and the Cup itself showcased at Flemington.
The traditional Melbourne Cup parade will be held next Monday in the CBD, making this the 150th running of the race.
Although many of us do not agree with the gambling culture that surrounds these events, the horse racing industry employs thousands of people in Australia, and the Melbourne Cup has become just as important culturally to Australians as it has financially to punters.
So while some of us enjoy the fashion, the racing and putting a couple of dollars on our favourite horse, let us remember to keep in our prayers many of the Christians working behind the scenes in this industry.
Australian Racing Christian Chaplaincy (ARCC) is an inter-church body that was established in Sydney in 1996 by Rev Paul Bayliss. The ARCCs main role is to recruit and coordinate the provision of chaplains to the horse racing industry.
The racetrack chaplains offer holistic program of service to all people employed in the racing industry, especially those who work in the stable area, helping with both spiritual and social needs and support.
For more information on the ARCC go to http://arcc.com.au