Racing: Key may make Melbourne splash

KEY TO MY HEART, often to be found paddling in the sea at Grange over Sands in Cumbria, was yesterday revealed as one of 13 British entries for the Melbourne Cup. The race, worth pounds 917,431, is run over two miles at Flemington on 1 November.

Foreign entries accounted for 23 of the 309 nominations received. Of the British contingent, John Gosden, David Elsworth and Paul Cole all have two entries, whilst Toby Balding has paid the pounds 46 entry fee for his Champion Hurdle winner, Morley Street. Ireland's Dermot Weld has nominated last year's winner, Vintage Crop, as well as Fortune And Fame, Blazing Spectacle and Cliveden Gail.

Cartmel-based Dudley Moffatt, who trains Key To My Heart, explained yesterday that a deal was currently being negotiated to sell this year's Yorkshire Cup winner. 'Part of the deal is that the colt is entered for the Melbourne Cup. I'm afraid I can't say much more than that at present,' Moffatt said.

The full list of British entries is: Bob's Return (M Tompkins), Brier Creek, Sonus (both J Gosden), Edbaysaan (H Cecil), Key To My Heart (D Moffatt), Morley Street (G Balding), My Patriarch (J Dunlop), Oh So Risky, Roll A Dollar (both D Elsworth), Quick Ransom (M Johnston), Snurge, Tioman Island (P Cole), White Muzzle (P Chapple-Hyam).