keywords: jockey smullen weld dermot scooted
text: Weld jumps to hoop #39;s defence DERMOT Weld has staunchly defended the ride of stable jockey Pat Smullen on Melbourne Cup runner-up Vinnie Roe. Weld said he could not fault the ride by Smullen, who scooted three deep for most of the race before forging deeper around the home turn.