Pierce Brosnan tipped for Melbourne Cup jockey role

Simon Wincer, the Australian film maker, has spent the past couple of weeks filming atmospheric scenes at The Curragh, well in advance of his latest production, The Cup, a story based on the Melbourne Cup - reports the Telegraph

The plot centres on jockey Damien Oliver, whose brother Jason, also a jockey, died from injuries sustained in a track fall only days before Damien was due to ride Media Puzzle in Australia's biggest race in 2002.

"It is a highly-emotional story that will interest not just racing people," Wincer told me. "It is something that everybody can identify with. In Australia, the jockeys have their names printed down the side of their riding breeches, and Damien came into the mounting yard before the Cup in Jason's gear," he recalled.

They will be tear-jerking moments when the cameras focus on 'J Oliver' emblazoned down Damien's leg, and when crossing the line, the jockey looks skyward, blows a kiss, and says 'That's for you my boy.'

Wincer, who also produced the movies Phar Lap and Free Willy, has been filming at The Curragh early by necessity. The grandstand is to be replaced, and for authenticity, he needed shots of the old stand.

The producer reported that one of the most frequently-asked questions was who would be cast in the role of Dermot Weld. The great trainer himself is curious to learn the identity of the lucky actor, though a couple of his fellow trainers suggested he possesses the acting skills to play himself.

The Telegraph can exclusively reveal that Pierce Brosnan is favourite to play Weld, giving the actor the chance to complete an unlikely double. Brosnan played trainer Edward O'Grady in the classic racing movie Murphy's Stroke.

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