Meanwhile, following the suspension of Lonhro's regular rider Darren Beadman, Melbourne's Darren Gauci has secured the ride in Saturday's St George Stakes at Caulfield.

British newspaper reports had suggested an imminent resolution to the increasingly bitter legal dispute between Sir Alex Ferguson and John Magnier over Rock Of Gibraltar, but there was no evidence of it over the weekend.

At Magnier's Coolmore Stud in County Tipperary, a spokesman for Magnier denied any knowledge of an imminent end to the conflict.

Weekend newspaper coverage of the story suggested that, in the face of continued pressure, Ferguson had agreed to back down by accepting payment equivalent to two stud fees per year to Rock Of Gibraltar, far less than his original 50 per cent claim.

Pat Glennon, one of Australia's most successful international jockeys and winner of some of the world's great races, has died in Adelaide at the age of 76 after a short illness.

Glennon's career highlights included wins in the English Derby, the Prix de l'Arc de Triomphe and two Melbourne Cups. Glennon won his second Melbourne Cup on Macdougal in 1959 before heading to Ireland to ride for legendary trainer Vincent O'Brien for two years.

The popular rider won the champion jockeys' title in Ireland before moving to France where he rode for Etienne Pollet, trainer of champion Sea Bird, regarded by the Timeform organisation as one of the greatest European gallopers of all time. In his latter years, Glennon was widely respected for the advice and counsel he gave young riders.

Oppressive heat on Saturday at Flemington, where the mercury hit 40 degrees Celsius, played havoc with several horses, none more so than promising three-year-old Bushido, who collapsed after the Australian Guineas (Gr 1).

Bushido finished eighth of the 10 runners and then collapsed when being led back to the birdcage. It took six people to lift the horse on to his feet.

Another horse affected by the heat was Victoria Derby winner Elvstroem, who finished fifth in the Guineas and pulled up distressed. Brian Mayfield-Smith-trained Bird Dancer, a leading fancy in the A$150,000 Chester Manifold Stakes, was a late scratching because of the conditions.

Leading trainer Lee Freedman said he believed horses should not have to race in such extremes. 'Personally I think it's too hot for racing horses,' Freedman said.

The Godolphin organisation has swooped to capture one of the most impressive performers at the Dubai International Racing Carnival, with South African mare Crimson Palace being bought by Rashid bin Mohammed Al Maktoum.

Rashid, son of Dubai visionary Sheikh Mohammed, has sent Crimson Palace to Saeed bin Suroor, providing the trainer with an obvious contender for the Dubai Duty Free on World Cup night before a potential European campaign.

A Group 1 winner in her native country for trainer Mick de Kock, Crimson Palace made a huge impression when winning a nine-furlong conditions race at Nad Al Sheba two weeks ago.

'I think they've got a real nice mare on their hands and nobody would be more pleased than me to see her cross the line in the blue colours,' de Kock said. 'In fact, I'm proud that I've had one good enough to go to Godolphin.'