We are truly “the lucky country” regarding the Melbourne Cup – a race “that stops a nation”.
For Victorians it’s a public holiday for the rest of the country it may as well be.
Randwick has the $3 million Big Dance, Eagle Farm is in action while for most race clubs around the country, it’s their biggest on-course attendance/turnover.
To own a runner on Cup Day at Fabulous Flemington is a dream, for the Vic Husslers they’ve lived the dream for the past three years now with Team Captain who is out to regain the Macca’s Run Trophy he won in 2021.
Let’s check out the best chances from our TRL trainers for Cup day including an in-depth look at Team Captain.
MELBOURNE CUP PREVIEW
My best tip is, don’t let anyone talk you out of a horse you like in the Melbourne Cup.
You might like the name, the horse colours, the trainer or the jockey whatever you like have something small on it.
I’m willing to take on the favourite Vauban, not because of it’s form but simply because of the price.
While European horses now dominated the Cup, plenty of Europe’s best credentialled gallopers have failed to live up to the fanfare. So at $4.50 I’m leaving Vauban out.
My top 6:
WITHOUT A FIGHT $7
The Caulfield Cup is often the best reference for the Melbourne Cup and Without A Fight was a super impressive winner two weeks ago.
Reports are he’s come through the Caulfield Cup win well and with Flemington predicted to be a Good 4 maybe firming to a Good 3 surface Without A Fight will be suited when plenty won’t.
FUTURE HISTORY $26
My best roughie of the Cup.
He won the Bart Cummings at Flemington which allowed him to gain a start in the Cup. He drops 5 kgs for that win into the Cup and Ciaron Maher has him humming.
Future History was also good in the Moonee Valley Cup and has one of the best English jockeys onboard in the form of Hollie Doyle.
BREAKUP $18
The Japanese breed the best horses in the world and Breakup will be much better for his first-up run in the Caulfield Cup where he finished 8th.
His second-up record is superb, with 6 starts for 3 wins and 2 seconds and the firm track is another bonus.
FUTURE HISTORY $26
My best roughie of the Cup.
He won the Bart Cummings at Flemington which allowed him to gain a start in the Cup. He drops 5 kgs for that win into the Cup and Ciaron Maher has him humming.
Future History was also good in the Moonee Valley Cup and has one of the best English jockeys onboard in the form of Hollie Doyle.
GOLD TRIP $6.50
Last year’s winner of the Melbourne Cup who is arguably going better leading into this year’s Cup.
He hasn’t been penalised too badly for winning and carries only 1 kg more than last year.
Barrier 2, James McDonald with the ride, he could do with the rain to come to take the edge of the track.
SOULCOMBE $10
Has a habit of missing the start but if he breaks clean and takes a more forward position he can certainly make his mark over the concluding stages.
Trained by Chris Waller and to be ridden by the Magic Man Joe Moreira, Soulcombe can reel off some serious sectionals and has to be included.
ABSURDE $26
Is the travelling companion of the hot-favourite Vauban and trained by the crafty Willie Mullins.
Absurde finished a long way behind Vauban at Royal Ascot but is an Ebor winner which is Europe’s best handicap race.
He’s also been well supported and Mullins was keen on him after the barrier draw.
TEAM CAPTAIN TO REGAIN THE MACCA’S RUN
What a thrill to own a horse on Melbourne Cup day at Fabulous Flemington, well the Vic Husslers have lived that dream for three successive years.
Team Captain lines up in Race 5 The Macca’s Run, 2800m for the third successive year and trying to regain his trophy from 2021.
This would be some sort of training effort from Matt Cumani, getting Team Captain to win second up over 2800m, but in Matt we trust.
“It’s been a European-type preparation for Team Captain and we will inform the stewards that it’s our intention to lead if we break well from the barriers.
“I think the best chance Team Captain has is to try and lead the field and play a catch me if you can game.
“That will be the instructions to jockey Declan Bates and we saw how good he is at riding from the front with that win on Pride of Jenni on Saturday,” trainer Matt Cuman said.
I think the bookies are being generous with $20 for Team Captain but I’ll take the odds.
Mr Waterville, $3 looks to be the hardest to beat, he comes through the Metropolitan and was fourth in the Geelong Cup.
Supagirl, $3.60 has that Gai and Adrian bone and muscle and is coming off a win at Horsham.
Insulation, $6 was beaten last start at a short quote but flew home against the pattern and the one that goes in the quinella for me.
Go Husslers!
BET: Team Captain – Flemington Race 5 E/W
CIARON MAHER TO STRIKE EARLY
Just looking at some horses at attractive odds in the minor races at Flemington.
Ciaron Maher has Big Swan that has been specked from $20 into $14. It’s only had 1 start for 1 win – this is tougher but the 1800m suits.
BET: Big Swan – Flemington Race 3 – E/W
THE JEWEL OF THE HAYES TEAM
The Hayes boys are flying and Jewel Bay (Race 4) can continue their “purple patch”.
It’s coming off a win and dropping back to 1,000m won’t be an issue.
BET: Jewel Bay – Flemington Race 4 – E/W
LOVE TAP FOR THE FREEDMAN’S
The greys race is a real fun feature of Melbourne Cup day.
Love Tap $7 won this race last year, was only okay first-up but has an outstanding second-up record.
BET: Love Tap – Flemington Race 6 – E/W
BET: Major Artie – Flemington Race 9 Major Artie E/W
ROYAL RANDWICK – THE BIG DANCE
It’s Melbourne Cup day, but Royal Randwick will host the $3 million Big Dance for country gallopers – truly an amazing amount of money but it has rejuvenated what was an ailing day at Randwick.
Joe Pride has King Of The Castle $10 in the Big Dance (Race 5). He is coming off a win but will need a good ride from Kathy O’Hara after coming up with a bad marble.
Dragonstone $7 (Race 8) is another I’ll be having something on each-way, again it will need a good steer from Nash Rawilier from barrier 13.
BET: King of the Castle – Randwick Race 5 – E/W
BET: Dragonstone – Randwick Race 8 – E/W
GAI HAS SLY BOOTS
Just the one from the Gai and Adrian yard, Sly Boots (Race 4). Currently around $4 it came from last to win last start, is up in class but can win again.
BET: Sly Boots – Royal Randwick – Race 4 – E/W
STICK WITH THE EARLY MONEY AT EAGLE FARM
Two runners from the Chris Munce stable have been snapped up in early markets at Eagle Farm.
She’s A Rogue (Race 3) is $5 in from $7 and has a great first-up record.
Euromantic (Race 7) is $17 in from $20 is coming off two consecutive seconds.
BET: She’s A Rogue – Eagle Farm Race 3 – E/W
BET: Euromantic – Eagle Farm Race 7 – E/W
GOLLAN HAS HEARTS RACING
Tony Gollan has a nice 3yo filly called Hearts Are Racing (Race 5) at the Farm. She’s coming off a second at the Sunny Coast and can figure here at double-digit odds.
BET: Hearts Are Racing – Eagle Farm Race 5 – E/W
Good luck, Good Punting and Enjoy Cup Day, and please remember, always gamble responsibly and chance’s are you’re about to lose
TK