5 Nov 2012

Northern Hemisphere taking over Melbourne Cup - Hogan

2:40 pm on 5 November 2012

Sir Patrick Hogan says it is becoming increasingly difficult for Southern Hemisphere horses to win the Melbourne Cup.

French horses, Dunaden and Americain - Cup winners of the past two years - are favourites to win Tuesday's race.

Four New Zealand gallopers are in the field of 24, all sired by Zabeel, who is owned by Sir Patrick.

But Sir Patrick said on Monday the Cup is increasingly dominated by the influence of the Northern Hemisphere because of the sheer number of racehorses being produced there.

The four Zabeel horses are Maluckyday, Lights of Heaven, Precedence and Kelinni.