International: Melbourne Cup | Horse Racing

Really fancy Mourayan all the 20s now gone...

 

Track details
The track was re-constructed in 2007 to remove the draw bias but there may still be some advantages, as described here.

 

he was found to be slightly lame after todays race where he finished 2nd but still in the line up.

 

Didn't kno that... Just readin stewards report nw... Shud b ok for the cup but don't like any setbacks before big races...

 

While on the subject, Lucas Cranach has been carrying a cracked rear hoof for a while now, in fact he carried it in his Caulfield Cup run. He too has been passed fit.

 

Cyc: Good day to you! Well, the MC is as tough a race to call as ever but I will go along with Fox Hunt. The Ebor (U.K.'s oldest handicap, I believe) is usually a decent guide on European stayers' formlines (e.g. Purple Moon) and I believe he should get the trip OK. He carried 9-10 in the Ebor, so there is a bit of a turnaround in the weights in Fox Hunt's favour, vis-à-vis other MC competitors who also ran in this year's Ebor, including the winner Moyenne Corniche. Poorly drawn for the MC, but what the heck, one can't have everything! Very nicely bred and ridden by a really good jockey from Brazil . What more could one ask?

So, it's Fox Hunt e/w for me (curently 25/1 generally ante-post, at time of writing), and the best of luck to one and all if you're having a bet on the big race!

(Now watch Jukebox Jury go on and win it!)...........

 

The race seems wide open this year Swanny. The visitors have given the race a nice flavour. A lot of the locals are up in arms about the number of European horses in the race, but I love it.

 

Yes, Cyc, the locals may have a point, but the Melbourne Cup has truly grown into an international event, so when a locally-trained horse wins it it surely makes the victory that much sweeter? I mean, why let Dubai and the U.S. Breeders' Cup events have all the major international races? These important and valuable races must be spread around the globe? It is a pity that the United States, in particular, seem to have forgotten that there are international races for high-class stayers too. For many years they have concentrated on races up to and including a mile-and-a-quarter (they often call the 1-1/2 mile Belmont a marathon!). Shame really, there's much more to horseracing than sprinting and slightly further?

 

1. 101 AMERICAIN. USA (15) Gerald Mosse 58kg.
Alain de Royer Dupre. 7yo H. Dynaformer-America. French raider who seems to grow another leg as soon as he steps off the plane. Cracking win here last year but goes up 3.5 kgs for that effort. His European form since then pretty ordinary, winning three. Jukebox Jury, Dunaden, Manighar and Red Cadeaux have at one point beaten him home. But he toweled up So You Think last year, and that horse has been tested in the best company of late. Had a stonking win in Moonee Valley Cup, will take some beating. Loves the track and the Melbourne Spring. The alley will not help though. 4-1.

2. 311 JUKEBOX JURY. IRE (6) Neil Callan 57kg.
Mark Johnston. 6yo H. Montjeu-Mare Aux Fees. Has been in wonderful form in the Northern Hemisphere, winning the Irish St Leger beating Duncan and Red Cadeaux, and the Kergorlay at Deauville. Before that finished third to Drunken Sailor at Goodwood. Has the tactical speed to take advantage of 6 gate. Should be going forward from the off, so should be close as they swing out of the straight the first time. Has class, but this is a huge ask. Is half owned by the connections of Americain. Value. 13-1.

3. 291 DUNADEN. (13) FR ? 54.5kg.
Mikel Delzangles. 6yoH. Nicobar-La Marlia. French horse who's blossomed in Melbourne. 2nd at Longchamp behind Brigantin over 3100m then beaten in Kergolay behind Jukebox Jury. Then at first run here, had scintillating win in Geelong Cup 2400m. Came from well back, circling the field, to bolt in. So impressive was the run, he was instantly promoted to second favourite. Should make his presence felt at some stage when the whips are cracking. 11-2.

4. 137 DRUNKEN SAILOR. IRE IRE (8) Dwayne Dunn. 54kg.
Luca Cumani. 7yoG. Tendulkar-Ronni Pancake. Nice Run in the Caulfield Cup. Bad barrier forced him well back, was held up when full of steam near the home corner. Once clear ran on well. A better alley here and an assured pace, should suit him down to the ground. His track work has been terrible though, but Cumani said that’s par for the course. Has had a wonderful year winning Meydan, Newbury and a couple of times at Goodwood. 50-1.

5. 201 GLASS HARMONIUM. IRE (23) Lisa Cropp. 54kg.
Michael Moroney. 6yoH. Verglas-Spring Symphony. Bold going grey who lead all the way in Mackinnon, to earn a start here. Put in a shocker in the Cox plate when a big effort was expected. Bad barrier manners put an end to his chances. Questions are being asked about his ability to get the trip, and as he’ll probably be hunted up to get across, he might struggle in the straight. 30-1.

6. 844 MANIGHAR. FR (21) Damien Oliver. 54kg.
Luca Cumani. 6yoG. Linamix-Mintly Fresh. Another who ran a nice race in the Caulfield Cup. Settled mid field and ran on. Seems a very honest type, but lacks that little bit of speed needed to take out a big one. His bad alley won’t help either. But has a rider who knows every blade of grass on this track, and is in fine form. 40-1.

7. 406 UNUSUAL PROSPECT. USA (7) ? 54kg.
Michael Kent. 8yoH. Unusual Heat-Penpont. Galloped on and injured in the Cranbourne Cup when finishing 10 of 12. Put in a nice effort in the Caulfield Cup. 16th to the bend, came hard at the end. Produced the best final sectionals of the race to finish 6th, 3.5L away. Getting a bit long in the tooth, but so too are a host of the better chances. 25-1.

8. 461 FOX HUNT. IRE (19) Silvestre De Sousa. 53.5kg.
Mark Johnston. 5yoG. Dubwai-Kiltubber. Has had a fair season so far, winning 3 of 8. Ran a close 4th in the G2 Goodwood Cup this trip then won a G3 at Dortmund. Has the tactical speed to overcome the draw. Likes the pace on and the trip, but didn't travel well and missed some work. 30-1.

9. 155 LUCAS CRANACH. GER (11) Cory Brown 53.5kg.
Anthony Freedman. 5yoH. Mamool-Lots Of Love. German import who has been bought by Aust interests. Backed off the map when as much as 150-1 was secured. Went into his only Aust race with a cracked heel, but ran a blinder. Sweeping wide, he came hard on the run to the post. Three runs back, came with a wet sail to win G2 at Hamburg. A live chance. 9-1.

10. 312 MOURAYAN. (14) IRE Hugh Bowman. 53.5kg.
Robert Hickmott. 6yoH. Alhaarth-Mouramara. Irish horse now resident of Aust. Been going ok in Sydney open company but seems to be doing better in Melbourne. Won a Listed event here beating Niwot, before a big 2nd in the Mackinnon on Saturday. Was going his best work in the straight. Well in on weights. Chance. 13-1.

11. 009 PRECEDENCE. (2) NZ Darren Beadman. 53.5kg.
Bart Cummings. 6yoG Zabeel-Kowtow. Just can’t seem to find form this season. Has a heap of ability, but can’t put it on the track. Was close enough on the bend in the Caulfield Cup, but gave nothing. In the hands of a man who’s won this race a dozen times, so anything can happen. 40-1.

12. 053 RED CADEAUX. GB (16) Michael Rodd 53.3 kg.
Ed Dunlop. 6yoG. Cadeaux Genereux-Artisia. Has a points win over Ebor winner Moyenne Corniche, winning the Listed Braveheart Stakes at Hamilton. Won G3 Curragh Cup. Last start, 3rd to Duncan and Jukebox Jury in G1 Irish St Leger. Meets Jukebox Jury 4kg better. Gets same advantage for 4L defeat in Kergolay. Another who has to be taken on trust due to no local form. 30-1.

13. 220 HAWK ISLAND. IRE (18) Glyn Schofield. 53kg.
Chris Waller. 7yoG Hawk Wing-Crimphill. Has been battling away in Sydney for some time now. Two runs back, ran on well in G1 over 2400m to finish 2nd behind The Verminator. Was a nice run, but never in the hunt against winner. 80-1.

14. 213 ILLO. GER (1) Jim Cassidy. 53kg.
Bart Cummings. 6yoH. Tertullian-Iora. Raced well in German Listed and G3 events before the trip here, winning two of them and second in another. At his only run here, finished 3rd in the Moonee Valley Cup well up in the first half dozen most of the race, but no match for Americain. Will get a lovely run from the one slot and will be for a long way. Has the services of J.B. Cummings and 100 time G1 winner Jim Cassidy, but has he the class? 18-1.

15. 274 LOST IN THE MOMENT. IRE (3) William Buick. 53kg.
Saeed Bin Suroor. 5yoH. Danehill Dancer-Streetcar. Seems to just below the top class in the UK. Ran a nice 2nd in the Goodwood Cup over this trip. Got a long way back but ran on well. Two runs back in the Ebor, was a little unlucky but was out gunned in the final furlong. Last start in the G3 Cumberland Lodge at Ascot, got dropped when they sprinted, but stayed on at finish. 22-1.

16. 241 MODUN. IRE (5) Kerrin McEvoy. 53kg.
Saeed Bin Suroor. 5yoG. King’s best-Olympienne. Mountain of a horse who will appreciate the open spaces of Flemington. 2nd of 19 in the Heritage at York where he beat Lost In The Moment. Two runs ago in Ebor, he ran 4th to Moyenne Corniche, beaten just under 3L. Meets the winner 1.5kg better. Seems to be the stable elect. 25-1.

17. 622 AT FIRST SIGHT. IRE (10) Steven King. 52.5kg.
Robert Hickmott. 5yoH. Galileo-Healing Music. Runner up to Workforce in the Derby after breaking clear at the top of the straight. A great run. Has since been bought by local interests. Seems to be coming into his own at the right time. Two runs back ran 2nd G3 2000m when flew home. Last run Bendigo Cup, again came late. Looks as though the trip will suit. 12-1.

18. 013 MOYENNE CORNICHE. GB (17) Brett Prebble. 52kg.
Brian Ellison. 7yoG. Selkirk-Miss Corniche. On paper, seems one of the better visiting chances. Had a going away win in the Ebor two runs ago after being 6th on the bend. Then at only run here, a very nice 3rd G2. Held up on corner then stormed to the post. Alley won’t help, but wouldn’t surprise to see him in the money. Gets in with a postage stamp on his back. 20-1.

19. 580 SAPTAPADI. IRE (22) Chris Symons. 52kg.
Brian Ellison. 6yoG. Indian Ridge-Olympienne. Really interesting prospect. Trainer is of the opinion that he’s better that Moyenne Corniche. On the face of it, his form looks poor. But ridden upside down in Ebor when 5th. Dropped further back than wanted in G2 here, but ran on well to mid field. Ridden against instructions in Caulfield Cup, when did nothing. 100-1.

20. 070 SHAMROCKER. NZ (24) Luke Nolan. 52kg.
Danny O’Brien. 4yoM. O’Reilly-Bohemian Blues. Multiple G1 winner last campaign. Beat the boys in VRC Derby, but done nothing this time in. Failed to finish in the first half of her last three runs, all at G1. If she can find form, she’ll figure in it. 40-1.

21. 510 THE VERMINATOR. AUS (4) Craig Newitt. 52kg.
Chris Waller. 5yoG. Juene-Fraar Side. Sydney-sider who is racing in fine form at home. Put in a poor effort behind Glass Harmonium in the Mackinnon. Cracked it for his first G1 win before that at home in the Metropolitan where he charged down the straight for an easy win. On that, he’s a chance, but on his last run, he’s no hope. 100-1.

22. 832 TULLAMORE. NZ (12) Chris Munce. 52kg.
Gai Waterhouse. 5yoG. Savabeel-Trocair. Looks to be the best of the Sydney chances. Two runs back in the Caulfield Cup, was 4th on bend, but out gunned by first two. Last start in Moonee Valley Cup, looked a big chance on bend, but hammered by Americain who gave him a cold when he flew past. In with a shout on the weights. 25-1.

23. 201 NIWOT. AUS (9) Dean Yendall. 51kg.
Michael, Wayne & John Hawkes. 7yoG Galileo-Too Darn Hot. Jumped over a host of better ranked horses to grab a start here, when he scored on Saturday. He’s a very lightly raced old bloke who is back from a serious knee injury: vets said he’ll never race again. Gets a stone off the top ones and looks a real chance. Flogged them in the Lexus, putting them to the sword in exciting fashion. 12-1.

24. 530 OLDER THAN TIME. AUS (20) Tim Clark. 51kg.
Gai Waterhouse. 5yoM. Don Eduardo-Up The Hill. Sydney mare who looks tested here. Her best run though, was before she left for Melbourne, when she finished 3rd of 16 in Listed company. Then did nothing in Lexus behind Niwot. Win would be a shock. 80-1.