Trainer Robert Armstrong yesterday joined the row over international horses running in the Melbourne Cup by comparing the argument with what happens in other sports.

Armstrong has brought over Sheer Danzig to contest the Australian highlight at Flemington next Tuesday and on his arrival this week walked into the furore which has seen many leading Australian handlers attacking the Victoria Racing Club for making the race an event of worldwide interest.

But Armstrong was not fazed by the argument going on around him as he watched Sheer Danzig work under Damien Oliver at the nearby Sandown track yesterday morning.

"You don't just have one cricket team in Australia, you have several cricket teams come from all over the world to take on Australia. So what the hell is the matter in having eight horses in one of the greatest races in the world?" said the Newmarket trainer.

The row blew up after Taufan's Melody was allowed to take part in the Fosters Caulfield Cup despite not being fully qualified in terms of winning money.

The ruling VRC sanctioned the running of Lady Herries' charge despite him being around £400 short of the earnings limit.

And top Sydney trainer Bart Cummings has called on the Club not to allow special dispensation for the Paul Cole-trained Yorkshire to take part in the Melbourne Cup if he fails to qualify by right.

Yorkshire is 25th in the order of entry for Tuesday's event but with a field limit of 24 connections are hoping for a special ruling in their favour, in order for the Ebor fifth to take part.

"The VRC shouldn't do it," Cummings said.

With eight foreign raiders, five trained in Britain, in Australia's biggest race, Cummings feels it is time to put a halt to international participation in races like the Melbourne Cup.

"It's getting to the point where they might as well move the race to Royal Ascot," he said.

Cummings believes that international competition would be better served by the VRC introducing invitation only weight for age races.

Quoted in yesterday's morning's Melbourne Herald Sun, he went on to say: "I was the one who suggested to Shane Dye the VRC should put on a three million weight-for-age race over the Melbourne Cup carnival and invite the best overseas horses here. I've been saying it for 12 months."

Last week Dye hit out at the international raiders saying they were ruining the chances of local horses taking part in the major events.

Cummings continued: "The Japanese run the best race in the world at standard weight for age international competition. It is called Japan Cup."

His views were backed by fellow trainer Lee Freedman, who feels the number of foreign runners should be limited to allow locals to run.

"The local owners and trainers turn up hail, rain and shine and on Sundays to support our industry," he said.