Mikel Delzangles admits weight is biggest obstacle for Dunaden

WEIGHT, not history or age, is Dunaden's greatest Melbourne Cup enemy today, according to trainer Mikel Delzangles.

Dunaden works with Alexis Achard in the saddle at Werribee.

WEIGHT, not history or age, is Dunaden's greatest Melbourne Cup enemy today, according to trainer Mikel Delzangles.

Dunaden will try to become the first original Cup topweight to win since Comic Court in 1950.

And, at eight, he will also bid to become the oldest winner - along with Catalogue in 1938 and Toryboy in 1865.

Adding further dimension to the remarkable French galloper's challenge is that he would join one of racing's most exclusive clubs with a second Cup triumph.

Only five horses have won the Cup more than once: Archer (1861-62). Peter Pan (1932, '34), Rain Lover (1968-69), Think Big (1974-75) and triple winner Makybe Diva (2003-05).

Despite being confronted by a mountain of statistical negatives, Delzangles was unfazed yesterday.

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"If there is a problem tomorrow, might be the weight, not the age," the Frenchman said.

"I think he's in very good form, like he was two years ago. He could be even stronger but he's carrying more weight, too.

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"He's well, he's fresh and happy. Hope he's not too fresh because it won't be good to be fresh in a two-mile race, but it's better after such a big travel to be keen and working."

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Dunaden, carrying 54.5kg, edged out Red Cadeaux in 2011 before suffering severe interference last season when 14th with 59kg.

He will carry 58.5kg today.

Dunaden works with Alexis Achard in the saddle at Werribee.

Makybe Diva lumped 58kg in the last of her three wins in 2005.

Delzangles hoped jockey Jamie Spencer could capitalise on barrier one.

Fellow French trainer Alain de Royer-Dupre raised concerns about Verema's condition.

"I have no regrets, she looks calm (but) the only question we are not used to training on the grass and we don't know exactly the condition of the filly," he said yesterday.

"I'm a little bit afraid she's too fresh.

"In Europe, we train every day on the sand and one day a week on the grass.

"In this race, the ability of your horse to relax is very important.

"That's the risk, that's why I do more yesterday (with Verema) because I was thinking when I arrived she was a little bit fresh."

Dunaden, ridden by French jockey Christophe Lemaire (yellow), wins by the smallest margin of all time from Red Cadeaux and Michael Rodd (left). Picture: Craig Borrow

Royer-Dupre, who has snared most of European racing's jewels and the 2010 Melbourne Cup with Americain, rated Tres Blue among the best of the invaders.

"I think the horse with the strong quality in the race is Tres Blue," he said.

"Tres Blue beat Cirrus Des Aigles in the Grand Prix Deauville and Cirrus Des Aigles is a serious horse.

"Verema is a Group 2 in Europe, she is not a Group 1.

"For example, if she raced the Grand Prix Deauville against Tres Blue, I'm not sure she is able to beat him.

"The question is he is only three years old.

"I like the horse (Simenon) of Willie Mullins; he looks beautiful. Red Cadeaux looks great."