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2007 Melbourne Cup Thread
- Thread starter starz
- Start date
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There will be a lot of horses trying to win it...winner is exempt
Placing wont help him,I think he's around 32 in order atm with only a couple above looking likely to drop out.
A lot can happen in this last week though
seth
Placing wont help him,I think he's around 32 in order atm with only a couple above looking likely to drop out.
A lot can happen in this last week though
seth
How many horses actually make the final field?
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- Thread starter
- #180
Ok then, tell me this, why has Zipping been heavily backed for the Melbourne Cup after his Cox Plate run yesterday. You know same horse everyone is bagging Starz over? ... Just making friendly debate....
This is because his big race performances have actually been very good runs despite not winning. The only time Zipping raced alongside El Segundo he overtook him going away (both in the slow zone).
I would love to see a race on level terms again, he doesn't lose.
This is why he shortens and experts always pay him credit because they understand all this.
People carry on and on and in sethlad's case (on and on and on) telling porky pies as though he's had 20 starts this season with horses running passed him, the reality is he's only had 3 runs including a first up strong finishing third where he thrashed Maldivian going away. It's only circumstances that bring him undone including injury and drawing the far rail in his 3 premier group 1 starts Cox Plate, Melb cup & CC.
haywood jablome
Cancelled
Why do you continue to say he will win when you know that he drew a shit barrier? Then after he runs 8th you bring up the barrier and talk about how well he came home... You seem very delusional.
- Thread starter
- #182
I did just answer this question in the True Odds thread
"Fair question, and i realised my mistake 10 yards after they came out of the gates where Marasco & Zippings races were over.
I was anticipating a sprint early to get position as they did in the Turnbull, it would have taken some energy away but there were no slow zones so i wasn't worried.
However the jockey just came out fairly which upon reflection was the wrong move. My only failing is that I can't foresee circumstances."
- Banned
- #183
Ok then, tell me this, why has Zipping been heavily backed for the Melbourne Cup after his Cox Plate run yesterday. You know same horse everyone is bagging Starz over? ... Just making friendly debate....
Haradasun was very heavily backed yesterday, despite the fact that it had no chance.
A fool and his money are soon parted, and the fools are betting on Zipping.
You just never run out of excuses Starz.
He hasnt won in 12 months for a reason....because his connections believe,like you do that he's a better horse than he is.
He won 6 races in a row & the boom on him began.He was beating slow horses but the buzz kept growing.
Cox Plate.....he ran 8th....thats where he is at WFA
C Cup was his race.....he's a WFA B grader & yesterday proved it.....again.
He's a good stayer who can run 1 sectional off a pace.
His record is what matters,it doesnt matter what happens from now.
He'll never be a WFA horse....ever
How many times does he have to fail at WFA before you admit it?
15 or 20X
He doesnt even get close to winning,even when everything goes right.
seth
He hasnt won in 12 months for a reason....because his connections believe,like you do that he's a better horse than he is.
He won 6 races in a row & the boom on him began.He was beating slow horses but the buzz kept growing.
Cox Plate.....he ran 8th....thats where he is at WFA
C Cup was his race.....he's a WFA B grader & yesterday proved it.....again.
He's a good stayer who can run 1 sectional off a pace.
His record is what matters,it doesnt matter what happens from now.
He'll never be a WFA horse....ever
How many times does he have to fail at WFA before you admit it?
15 or 20X
He doesnt even get close to winning,even when everything goes right.
seth
LukeParkerno1
Post-Human
Guys how did Miss Finland and Effecient run in the Cox Plate, I missed the thing as I had a wedding all day.
hey all, not much of a horse punter, but like many i get the bug this time of year.
just wondering if someone can let me know which horse's in the cup have solid 2 mile form? i always find it pretty hard to back something if i can't even be sure it will run that far, let alone be competitive at the finish.
i know On a Jeune has run a place in the cup, Gallic has won over 2 miles and i assume some of the europeans have got some form as well.
any comments appreciated.
just wondering if someone can let me know which horse's in the cup have solid 2 mile form? i always find it pretty hard to back something if i can't even be sure it will run that far, let alone be competitive at the finish.
i know On a Jeune has run a place in the cup, Gallic has won over 2 miles and i assume some of the europeans have got some form as well.
any comments appreciated.
Not sure with the MC quality improving over the last 20 yrs that the 2 mile form is as important but FYI:
Apart from the horses you mentioned,Maybe Better was 3rd last yr,Zipping 4th
Tungsten Strike has 3 wins @ 3200
Black Tom has a 3200 Perth Cup win
Mahler has won at 3200
Tacit Agreement has won at 2miles in the US
Theres probably others that have run & failed like Tawqeet & Mandela
seth
Apart from the horses you mentioned,Maybe Better was 3rd last yr,Zipping 4th
Tungsten Strike has 3 wins @ 3200
Black Tom has a 3200 Perth Cup win
Mahler has won at 3200
Tacit Agreement has won at 2miles in the US
Theres probably others that have run & failed like Tawqeet & Mandela
seth
- Thread starter
- #189
This is completely untrue.
He's only had 4 WFA starts and was as good as the winner in all of them.
If he doesn't give away 8 lengths from the far rail in the Cox Plate he's right there.
He is the fastest horse in the country and proved it by carving out the quickest 600m sectional, leaving Marasco for dead and also ran the fastest closing sectional. Surprising because he never got into space until just 100m from the line after being pocketed last.
His WFA failings are 0, from just 4 starts (according to you 1+1+1+1 = 10 or 20), and only 3 true races this year, all of them were good.
Why do you think people snapped up his odds if he ran so bad?
Because they saw what happened and how hard he hit the line.
Don't forget when he did meet El Segundo on level terms and they raced side by side Zipping won going away, just 3 weeks ago.
Let's just hope El Segundo fronts in the Mackinnon, they draw together so we can settle this once and for all on a fairer track.
Anyway, let's get this back on track and talk about the other 30 horses still in contention.
- Thread starter
- #190
Watch out for a bolt from Blu
Pick of the crop … Blutigeroo, left, and El Segundo enjoy the grass at Colin Little's Caulfield stable yesterday.
You may remember Blutigeroo from Golden Slipper day at Rosehill in the autumn. The gelding become the first to take out the Hobart Cup-The BMW Stakes double. Yes, Blutigeroo won the second leg at big odds because the galloper wasn't supposed to be suited at weight-for-age.
Yet Little had Blutigeroo primed to just about peak, and it will be the same tomorrow week in the Melbourne Cup. The only problem being El Segundo's jockey Luke Nolen, on appeal, needs to shave a day off the suspension he received when the winner drifted in as it sizzled past Cox Plate runner-up Wonderful World.
Nolen secured the Melbourne Cup ride on Blutigeroo after Damien Oliver switched mounts.
Oliver won The BMW on Blutigeroo but parted company after its seventh behind Master O'Reilly in the Caulfield Cup. That's the race from which Blutigeroo was almost scratched. The horse was off its tucker leading up to the race, and Little informed stewards.
Considering the concerns, its effort was more than useful, although Oliver secured the ride on the UK raider Purple Moon, which was considered the unlucky Caulfield Cup runner. All very interesting.
It should be an interesting week surrounding the Melbourne Cup raiders. While Purple Moon's form is exposed, not so Tungsten Strike's, which arrived in Victoria at the same time. Little has been heard about this supposed pacemaker.
Pick of the crop … Blutigeroo, left, and El Segundo enjoy the grass at Colin Little's Caulfield stable yesterday.
You may remember Blutigeroo from Golden Slipper day at Rosehill in the autumn. The gelding become the first to take out the Hobart Cup-The BMW Stakes double. Yes, Blutigeroo won the second leg at big odds because the galloper wasn't supposed to be suited at weight-for-age.
Yet Little had Blutigeroo primed to just about peak, and it will be the same tomorrow week in the Melbourne Cup. The only problem being El Segundo's jockey Luke Nolen, on appeal, needs to shave a day off the suspension he received when the winner drifted in as it sizzled past Cox Plate runner-up Wonderful World.
Nolen secured the Melbourne Cup ride on Blutigeroo after Damien Oliver switched mounts.
Oliver won The BMW on Blutigeroo but parted company after its seventh behind Master O'Reilly in the Caulfield Cup. That's the race from which Blutigeroo was almost scratched. The horse was off its tucker leading up to the race, and Little informed stewards.
Considering the concerns, its effort was more than useful, although Oliver secured the ride on the UK raider Purple Moon, which was considered the unlucky Caulfield Cup runner. All very interesting.
It should be an interesting week surrounding the Melbourne Cup raiders. While Purple Moon's form is exposed, not so Tungsten Strike's, which arrived in Victoria at the same time. Little has been heard about this supposed pacemaker.
- Thread starter
- #191
Trainer of Melbourne Cup favourite not worried
TRAINER Danny O'Brien watched the Cox Plate meeting from a hospital bed and saw nothing to shake his Melbourne Cup confidence.
O'Brien who underwent emergency surgery to remove his appendix on Friday night remains confident his pair Master O'Reilly and Douro Valley, first and second in the Caulfield Cup, will be right in Cup reckoning.
"The Moonee Valley Cup winner Gallic is a proven two miler and he will run well. But I would rate the Caulfield Cup a much stronger form race," O'Brien said.
"I very much doubt if any Cox Plate runner can win the Melbourne Cup.
"You look at the recent horses Saintly and Makybe Diva to win the Cup out of the Cox Plate and their is a huge difference in their credentials.
"Saintly had the miles in his legs because he ran in The Metropolitan in Sydney before he arrived in Melbourne.
"And Makybe Diva was Makybe Diva, a freak. They both won the Cox Plate not well beaten as horses like Miss Finland, Zipping and Efficient.
"The ones I'm worried about are the European horses like Purple Moon who ran well in the Caulfield Cup and the Aidan O'Brien pair Scorpion and Mahler."
TRAINER Danny O'Brien watched the Cox Plate meeting from a hospital bed and saw nothing to shake his Melbourne Cup confidence.
O'Brien who underwent emergency surgery to remove his appendix on Friday night remains confident his pair Master O'Reilly and Douro Valley, first and second in the Caulfield Cup, will be right in Cup reckoning.
"The Moonee Valley Cup winner Gallic is a proven two miler and he will run well. But I would rate the Caulfield Cup a much stronger form race," O'Brien said.
"I very much doubt if any Cox Plate runner can win the Melbourne Cup.
"You look at the recent horses Saintly and Makybe Diva to win the Cup out of the Cox Plate and their is a huge difference in their credentials.
"Saintly had the miles in his legs because he ran in The Metropolitan in Sydney before he arrived in Melbourne.
"And Makybe Diva was Makybe Diva, a freak. They both won the Cox Plate not well beaten as horses like Miss Finland, Zipping and Efficient.
"The ones I'm worried about are the European horses like Purple Moon who ran well in the Caulfield Cup and the Aidan O'Brien pair Scorpion and Mahler."
- Thread starter
- #192
Mahler something like a Dane
MAHLER, still a three-year-old by northern hemisphere time, is striving to become the most inexperienced winner of a Melbourne Cup in 75 years.
And Scorpion is being hailed as one of the best overseas-trained horses ever to run in Australia's greatest race.
These are the two stayers Irish trainer Aidan O'Brien hopes can achieve what his champion stayer Yeats could not and win the $5.1 million at Flemington on November 6.
O'Brien has learned from Yeats' failed Melbourne Cup attempt last year - Yeats finished eighth behind Delta Blues - and sent two horses he believes are better suited for the Flemington "two-miler".
His assistant trainer, Andrew Murphy, said Scorpion and Mahler were better equipped to adapt to the tempo of Australian racing. "We believe these are the right horses for the Melbourne Cup," Murphy said.
He revealed both horses had settled in well since arriving in Melbourne last week and regained most of the weight they had lost on the trip from Ireland to Australia.
"Scorpion lost 5kg and Mahler 6kg but already, they have put most of that back on," Murphy said. "Scorpion's best racing weight is 482-483kg and Mahler is 479-480kg, which they are close to now."
Mahler, who doesn't turn four by birth date until April 14 next year, has had only seven career starts.
In the modern era, the only horse to contest the Melbourne Cup of comparable career experience was Nothin' Leica Dane.
He also had raced just seven times before he lined up in the 1995 Melbourne Cup, finishing an outstanding second to Doriemus.
To find a Melbourne Cup winner with such limited race exposure you need to go back to 1932 when champion Peter Pan won after racing just six times previously.
None of this seems to matter to the Irish, who believe Mahler is a great lightweight chance in the Melbourne Cup.
"He ran second in the (English) St Leger and he's only got 7 stone 12 (50kg) - he's thrown in," Murphy said.
Scorpion is Melbourne Cup topweight with 57kg but deservedly so. He's already a three-time Group One winner, won the English St Leger last year (Tawqeet ran third) and in June took out the prestigious Coronation Cup.
"Scorpion is a serious horse and he can be ridden anywhere (in a race). He can make the running, he can be ridden off the pace," Murphy said.
"Mahler prefers pace, but you've got Amanda Perrett's horse (Tungsten Strike) and he makes the running. You can nearly be guaranteed there is going to be something to take him along.
MAHLER, still a three-year-old by northern hemisphere time, is striving to become the most inexperienced winner of a Melbourne Cup in 75 years.
And Scorpion is being hailed as one of the best overseas-trained horses ever to run in Australia's greatest race.
These are the two stayers Irish trainer Aidan O'Brien hopes can achieve what his champion stayer Yeats could not and win the $5.1 million at Flemington on November 6.
O'Brien has learned from Yeats' failed Melbourne Cup attempt last year - Yeats finished eighth behind Delta Blues - and sent two horses he believes are better suited for the Flemington "two-miler".
His assistant trainer, Andrew Murphy, said Scorpion and Mahler were better equipped to adapt to the tempo of Australian racing. "We believe these are the right horses for the Melbourne Cup," Murphy said.
He revealed both horses had settled in well since arriving in Melbourne last week and regained most of the weight they had lost on the trip from Ireland to Australia.
"Scorpion lost 5kg and Mahler 6kg but already, they have put most of that back on," Murphy said. "Scorpion's best racing weight is 482-483kg and Mahler is 479-480kg, which they are close to now."
Mahler, who doesn't turn four by birth date until April 14 next year, has had only seven career starts.
In the modern era, the only horse to contest the Melbourne Cup of comparable career experience was Nothin' Leica Dane.
He also had raced just seven times before he lined up in the 1995 Melbourne Cup, finishing an outstanding second to Doriemus.
To find a Melbourne Cup winner with such limited race exposure you need to go back to 1932 when champion Peter Pan won after racing just six times previously.
None of this seems to matter to the Irish, who believe Mahler is a great lightweight chance in the Melbourne Cup.
"He ran second in the (English) St Leger and he's only got 7 stone 12 (50kg) - he's thrown in," Murphy said.
Scorpion is Melbourne Cup topweight with 57kg but deservedly so. He's already a three-time Group One winner, won the English St Leger last year (Tawqeet ran third) and in June took out the prestigious Coronation Cup.
"Scorpion is a serious horse and he can be ridden anywhere (in a race). He can make the running, he can be ridden off the pace," Murphy said.
"Mahler prefers pace, but you've got Amanda Perrett's horse (Tungsten Strike) and he makes the running. You can nearly be guaranteed there is going to be something to take him along.
- Thread starter
- #193
Scorpion 'could be out of Cup'
CHAMPION Irish stayer Scorpion is showing signs of lameness after a track gallop at Sandown today and is in real doubt for the $5.1mililon Melbourne Cup tomorrow week.
Scorpion, who is the race top weight with 58.5kg, is one of Europe's best stayers and rated a $13 chance in the Melbourne Cup.
The star stayer and Mahler, who are trained by Irish genius Aidan O'Brien, worked together in an impressive 1400m workout this morning.
It was the first time the stayers had galloped against the clock since arriving in Melbourne a week ago.
Scorpion had slightly the better of the gallop but showed signs of a leg problem after he had cooled down.
Owner Coolmore Stud's spokesman James Bester told The Daily Telegraph Online exclusively that Scorpion has a leg problem and is in doubt for the Melbourne Cup.
"Tom Magnier (of Coolmore Stud) has spoken to Aidan O'Brien who is in Los Angeles and informed him of Scorpion's problems," Bester said.
"Scorpion is showing signs of lameness and Aidan has ordered X-rays be taken of the horse this evening.
"We do not expect the results until tomorrow morning.
"Aidan was specific that he wanted to let the racing and betting public know that Scorpion has suffered a setback.
"Aidan admitted there is now a possibility that Scorpion might not run in the Melbourne Cup."
CHAMPION Irish stayer Scorpion is showing signs of lameness after a track gallop at Sandown today and is in real doubt for the $5.1mililon Melbourne Cup tomorrow week.
Scorpion, who is the race top weight with 58.5kg, is one of Europe's best stayers and rated a $13 chance in the Melbourne Cup.
The star stayer and Mahler, who are trained by Irish genius Aidan O'Brien, worked together in an impressive 1400m workout this morning.
It was the first time the stayers had galloped against the clock since arriving in Melbourne a week ago.
Scorpion had slightly the better of the gallop but showed signs of a leg problem after he had cooled down.
Owner Coolmore Stud's spokesman James Bester told The Daily Telegraph Online exclusively that Scorpion has a leg problem and is in doubt for the Melbourne Cup.
"Tom Magnier (of Coolmore Stud) has spoken to Aidan O'Brien who is in Los Angeles and informed him of Scorpion's problems," Bester said.
"Scorpion is showing signs of lameness and Aidan has ordered X-rays be taken of the horse this evening.
"We do not expect the results until tomorrow morning.
"Aidan was specific that he wanted to let the racing and betting public know that Scorpion has suffered a setback.
"Aidan admitted there is now a possibility that Scorpion might not run in the Melbourne Cup."
- Thread starter
- #194
Quality time shifts Bay Story's focus
BRIAN Ellison will use Saturday's Group 3 Saab Quality as a bid to seal a Melbourne Cup start for forgotten international Bay Story.
Ellison planned to run Bay Story, currently No. 39 in the elimination order, in last week's Geelong Cup.
But part-owner Ashley Carr, who arrives this week from London, told him he wanted to see the horse run. Ellison said Bay Story, who finished seventh in the Bart Cummings (2500m) at Flemington on October 6, would back up in the Melbourne Cup.
He said the horse ran second in last year's Lavazza, then ran fourth in the Queen Elizabeth.
"That won't be a problem, but first we've got to win the Saab," Ellison said.
Bay Story trialled at Cranbourne on October 16 where he beat You Sexy Boy, subsequent runner-up in last week's Seymour Cup.
"He's come on well. I'm happy with him. I'm sure he'll run a big race," Ellison said.
With Anamato, Tacit Agreement and Leica Falcon the only confirmed non-runners in the top 24 of the elimination order, Ellison, like many others, will be sweating on today's fallout from third declarations.
It's expected New Kid In Town (No. 29), Dracs Back (30), Viz Vitae (32), Shuaily (33) and Lachlan River (35) will miss the Cup.
Bay Story will move up the elimination order, but he can control his own destiny if he wins the Saab, whereas the winner is exempt from the Cup ballot.
But there will be plenty of opposition in the Saab.
Michael Freedman said the stable would run King Of Ashford, and back him up, if he won, in the Cup.
New Zealander Sculptor (34th) will also try to force his way into the Cup field by winning the Saab.
Black Tom, Scenic Shot and Mandela are also likely to use the Saab as a guide to their Melbourne Cup plans.
Roger James will apply blinkers to Railings in the Mackinnon Stakes (2000m) and his response will decide if he goes on to the Melbourne Cup.
Trainer Mike Moroney reported his two likely Cup runners, Eskimo Queen and Sarrera, had pulled up well from their Moonee Valley runs but would not race on Saturday.
Moroney said Eskimo Queen would be a third declaration today, with a decision on her running to be made later in the week. "I wanted to see how she ate up and she's done that. I'm leaning towards running," he said.
Jockey Craig Newitt was adamant Eskimo Queen will run the 3200m of the Cup even though he has not raced beyond 2040m this preparation. Stablemate Sarrera was likely to go straight into the Cup after leading around the turn before running fourth in the Moonee Valley Cup.
BRIAN Ellison will use Saturday's Group 3 Saab Quality as a bid to seal a Melbourne Cup start for forgotten international Bay Story.
Ellison planned to run Bay Story, currently No. 39 in the elimination order, in last week's Geelong Cup.
But part-owner Ashley Carr, who arrives this week from London, told him he wanted to see the horse run. Ellison said Bay Story, who finished seventh in the Bart Cummings (2500m) at Flemington on October 6, would back up in the Melbourne Cup.
He said the horse ran second in last year's Lavazza, then ran fourth in the Queen Elizabeth.
"That won't be a problem, but first we've got to win the Saab," Ellison said.
Bay Story trialled at Cranbourne on October 16 where he beat You Sexy Boy, subsequent runner-up in last week's Seymour Cup.
"He's come on well. I'm happy with him. I'm sure he'll run a big race," Ellison said.
With Anamato, Tacit Agreement and Leica Falcon the only confirmed non-runners in the top 24 of the elimination order, Ellison, like many others, will be sweating on today's fallout from third declarations.
It's expected New Kid In Town (No. 29), Dracs Back (30), Viz Vitae (32), Shuaily (33) and Lachlan River (35) will miss the Cup.
Bay Story will move up the elimination order, but he can control his own destiny if he wins the Saab, whereas the winner is exempt from the Cup ballot.
But there will be plenty of opposition in the Saab.
Michael Freedman said the stable would run King Of Ashford, and back him up, if he won, in the Cup.
New Zealander Sculptor (34th) will also try to force his way into the Cup field by winning the Saab.
Black Tom, Scenic Shot and Mandela are also likely to use the Saab as a guide to their Melbourne Cup plans.
Roger James will apply blinkers to Railings in the Mackinnon Stakes (2000m) and his response will decide if he goes on to the Melbourne Cup.
Trainer Mike Moroney reported his two likely Cup runners, Eskimo Queen and Sarrera, had pulled up well from their Moonee Valley runs but would not race on Saturday.
Moroney said Eskimo Queen would be a third declaration today, with a decision on her running to be made later in the week. "I wanted to see how she ate up and she's done that. I'm leaning towards running," he said.
Jockey Craig Newitt was adamant Eskimo Queen will run the 3200m of the Cup even though he has not raced beyond 2040m this preparation. Stablemate Sarrera was likely to go straight into the Cup after leading around the turn before running fourth in the Moonee Valley Cup.
- Thread starter
- #195
Cumani's expresses cup satisfaction
English trainer Luca Cumani put the seal of approval on the work of his wife and daughter today after watching the Melbourne Cup second favourite Purple Moon exercise at Sandown.
At the same time, he also revealed an ulterior motive for his raid on the world's richest handicap race next week.
Cumani arrived in Melbourne last night and was suitably impressed when he inspected his horse.
So happy was he with the condition of Purple Moon that he is unlikely to require any more serious work before next Tuesday's race.
Purple Moon has been in the care of Cumani's daughter Francesca, who rides him in all his exercise, and his wife Sarah, who returned to England as her husband was leaving to come to Melbourne.
The gelding finished an unlucky sixth in the Caulfield Cup after being blocked for a run in the straight.
"I don't think he needs another gallop but I need to see a bit more of him." Cumani said. Cumani will do that at Flemington tomorrow morning when Purple Moon makes the trip across town for a special training session on the course proper.
Purple Moon has raced only four times for Cumani after a promising three-year-old season when trained by Sir Michael Stoute and then a brief hurdling career during which he won a 3200m race in Scotland.
He has won two of his four starts under Cumani, including Europe's best handicap race, the Ebor (2800m) at York in which he landed a substantial plunge.
Cumani explained that he had sought out Purple Moon as an ideal Melbourne Cup horse.
English trainer Luca Cumani put the seal of approval on the work of his wife and daughter today after watching the Melbourne Cup second favourite Purple Moon exercise at Sandown.
At the same time, he also revealed an ulterior motive for his raid on the world's richest handicap race next week.
Cumani arrived in Melbourne last night and was suitably impressed when he inspected his horse.
So happy was he with the condition of Purple Moon that he is unlikely to require any more serious work before next Tuesday's race.
Purple Moon has been in the care of Cumani's daughter Francesca, who rides him in all his exercise, and his wife Sarah, who returned to England as her husband was leaving to come to Melbourne.
The gelding finished an unlucky sixth in the Caulfield Cup after being blocked for a run in the straight.
"I don't think he needs another gallop but I need to see a bit more of him." Cumani said. Cumani will do that at Flemington tomorrow morning when Purple Moon makes the trip across town for a special training session on the course proper.
Purple Moon has raced only four times for Cumani after a promising three-year-old season when trained by Sir Michael Stoute and then a brief hurdling career during which he won a 3200m race in Scotland.
He has won two of his four starts under Cumani, including Europe's best handicap race, the Ebor (2800m) at York in which he landed a substantial plunge.
Cumani explained that he had sought out Purple Moon as an ideal Melbourne Cup horse.
- Thread starter
- #196
Miss Finland can still take big prize
Disappointing finish ... after her fourth place in the Cox Plate, Miss Finland's Melbourne Cup chances are being doubted.
FORM experts are divided over whether Miss Finland can become the first horse to complete the Golden Slipper-Melbourne Cup double.
With trainer David Hayes confirming Miss Finland is almost certain to contest the $5.1 million Melbourne Cup on November 6 despite her Cox Plate flop, the big question now is whether the mare can stay a strong 3200m.
After being at the top of Melbourne Cup calculations for most of the spring, Miss Finland's recent string of defeats has resulted in her falling from favour and drifting to the fourth line of Cup betting at $11 in TAB fixed odds markets behind the Caulfield Cup winner Master O'Reilly ($5.50).
"Personally, I think the Melbourne Cup is beyond her," TAB's Glenn Munsie declared yesterday. "I know she is racing more dourly but the 3200m is a big, big worry."
But Mark Morrissey from Col Tidy's betting organisation said he is not prepared to write off Miss Finland's chance of winning the Melbourne Cup.
"She has the class to win the Cup, she's not badly weighted on 53kg, and going back to Flemington suits her," Morrissey said. "I think they are doing the right thing running her in the Mackinnon Stakes and backing up into the Cup."
Miss Finland ran only fourth as favourite in the Cox Plate and again was left flat-footed when the field sprinted for home inside the final 800m.
"I'm not making any excuses, she had a good run and was beaten fair and square, but once again race tempo didn't help her, I was extremely disappointed because I thought she could win the Cox Plate but we just have to move on and concentrate on the Melbourne Cup now. She will run in the Mackinnon Stakes next Saturday and then onto the Cup - that's the plan.
"It's obvious that she is racing more like a stayer all the time and I still firmly believe she can win the Melbourne Cup."
Miss Finland's appearance at Flemington next Saturday only adds to a crucial race meeting that will once again be pivotal to the Melbourne Cup on November 6.
The highlights on Derby Day include: Miss Finland will clash with the Cox Plate winner El Segundo once again in the Mackinnon Stakes.
Maybe Better, Princess Coup and Douro Valley will all be having their final Cup trials in the Mackinnon Stakes.
Owner Lloyd Williams has decided that he will run all three of his Melbourne Cup hopefuls - Efficient, Zipping and Gallic - on Derby Day.
Eskimo Queen could now go straight into the Melbourne Cup without another run.
Bart Cummings is down to his final throw of the dice for the Melbourne Cup with his Mackinnon Stakes runner Sirmione.
Third acceptors for the Melbourne Cup are due to be taken today.
Hayes plans to have up to six Melbourne Cup starters with Tawqeet, Blue Monday, Black Tom, Lazer Sharp and The Fuzz expected to join Miss Finland in the big race.
Tawqeet will also run in the Mackinnon, Black Tom and The Fuzz are likely to start in the Saab Quality, while Blue Monday and Lazer Sharp will both go straight into the Melbourne Cup without another start.
Williams said he took real delight watching "my favourite horse" Gallic win the Moonee Valley Cup last Saturday.
"It was great to see the old boy win and you wouldn't believe how well he's come through the race," Williams said. We took him to the beach this morning and he was in super order. He's telling me he wants to race again. While he is in such good form, we may as well run him in the Saab Quality and then the Melbourne Cup. He's loves Flemington."
Disappointing finish ... after her fourth place in the Cox Plate, Miss Finland's Melbourne Cup chances are being doubted.
FORM experts are divided over whether Miss Finland can become the first horse to complete the Golden Slipper-Melbourne Cup double.
With trainer David Hayes confirming Miss Finland is almost certain to contest the $5.1 million Melbourne Cup on November 6 despite her Cox Plate flop, the big question now is whether the mare can stay a strong 3200m.
After being at the top of Melbourne Cup calculations for most of the spring, Miss Finland's recent string of defeats has resulted in her falling from favour and drifting to the fourth line of Cup betting at $11 in TAB fixed odds markets behind the Caulfield Cup winner Master O'Reilly ($5.50).
"Personally, I think the Melbourne Cup is beyond her," TAB's Glenn Munsie declared yesterday. "I know she is racing more dourly but the 3200m is a big, big worry."
But Mark Morrissey from Col Tidy's betting organisation said he is not prepared to write off Miss Finland's chance of winning the Melbourne Cup.
"She has the class to win the Cup, she's not badly weighted on 53kg, and going back to Flemington suits her," Morrissey said. "I think they are doing the right thing running her in the Mackinnon Stakes and backing up into the Cup."
Miss Finland ran only fourth as favourite in the Cox Plate and again was left flat-footed when the field sprinted for home inside the final 800m.
"I'm not making any excuses, she had a good run and was beaten fair and square, but once again race tempo didn't help her, I was extremely disappointed because I thought she could win the Cox Plate but we just have to move on and concentrate on the Melbourne Cup now. She will run in the Mackinnon Stakes next Saturday and then onto the Cup - that's the plan.
"It's obvious that she is racing more like a stayer all the time and I still firmly believe she can win the Melbourne Cup."
Miss Finland's appearance at Flemington next Saturday only adds to a crucial race meeting that will once again be pivotal to the Melbourne Cup on November 6.
The highlights on Derby Day include: Miss Finland will clash with the Cox Plate winner El Segundo once again in the Mackinnon Stakes.
Maybe Better, Princess Coup and Douro Valley will all be having their final Cup trials in the Mackinnon Stakes.
Owner Lloyd Williams has decided that he will run all three of his Melbourne Cup hopefuls - Efficient, Zipping and Gallic - on Derby Day.
Eskimo Queen could now go straight into the Melbourne Cup without another run.
Bart Cummings is down to his final throw of the dice for the Melbourne Cup with his Mackinnon Stakes runner Sirmione.
Third acceptors for the Melbourne Cup are due to be taken today.
Hayes plans to have up to six Melbourne Cup starters with Tawqeet, Blue Monday, Black Tom, Lazer Sharp and The Fuzz expected to join Miss Finland in the big race.
Tawqeet will also run in the Mackinnon, Black Tom and The Fuzz are likely to start in the Saab Quality, while Blue Monday and Lazer Sharp will both go straight into the Melbourne Cup without another start.
Williams said he took real delight watching "my favourite horse" Gallic win the Moonee Valley Cup last Saturday.
"It was great to see the old boy win and you wouldn't believe how well he's come through the race," Williams said. We took him to the beach this morning and he was in super order. He's telling me he wants to race again. While he is in such good form, we may as well run him in the Saab Quality and then the Melbourne Cup. He's loves Flemington."
It's easy to be the fastest horse in the country when you settle at the tail and don't use up any carrots for 1800m of the race.
The mackinnon is just a 2nd chance draw for B-grade horses like Zipping that aren't good enough for main races. I doubt El Segundo would be there. And what happened to Zipping tackling the Cox Plate/Melbourne Cup double? Or are they trying to win something now out of desperation?
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