Racing 2024 G1 Melbourne Cup (3200m)

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POST CAULFIELD CUP RANKINGS

Likely going to see a lot of movement after the Geelong Cup and MV Cup in the bottom half but for now

1. BUCKAROO - Had severe doubts on him running out the 2400m last week but the way he ran out that Caulfield Cup I have a lot less doubt on him at Flemington. The absolute quality in the field with strong WFA form and a turn of foot. He doesn't even need to super strong over 2 miles to be winning this, just handle it well enough. Take DDS out of that CC and he wins by 5 with huge margins in behind and cops a big penalty so pretty well weighted with that in mind.

2. ABSURDE - Pushing him above JB with the latter's odds coming in a bit and Sayedaty Sedaty not really franking that Euro 3yo form. Happy to bank on a firmish track at this point which will suit him most of the Euros and we are still getting a reasonable price about him.

3. JAN BRUEGHEL - Slips down simply because his odds are getting in too short and the form around SS didn't look that strong on Saturday.

4. VAUBAN - Simply through a ton of failures with the locals he has continued to ladder up. Still not a huge fan of the horse and if its a firm track on the day ill be leaving him out of pretty much everything.

5. WARP SPEED - Dreadful in the CC but to be fair it is exactly what I was expecting on a wet track. A firm track and 3200m will be completely different but would want to be getting a decent price about him on the day to make up for getting beat 16L leading in.

6. LAND LEGEND - Couldn't possibly have him beating Buckaroo after the CC but still ran 3rd after getting worked up pre race so has to slot in around here.

7. FRANCESCO GUARDI - Ticking along reasonably well behind WFA horses running on ok over unsuitable trips. Has raced three times beyond 2000m in this country for two huge runs and the flop that was too bad to be true in the CC last year so can see him improving well at his next run and coming into First 4 contention. Needs to pass the ballot still but would want to be doing that if he is any chance anyway.

8. SAINT GEORGE - Likely gone based on last run but if he was to bounce back in the MV Cup he is at least one who has the ability to win at his best which a lot of these don't.

9. KINESIOLOGY - Hard to see him getting a run at this point but if Birdman is favourite in a Geelong Cup and a 30-40s chance then this guy is a watch bringing in better form.

10. OKITA SOUSHI - Simply a tail end of First 4s option but has finally found some sort of form in this country and will run out the 2 miles and if he could run 11th in the race last year I could easily see him picking up a spot or 2 this year.
 

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I know the 99 cup very well. I raced Lady Elsie on lease with a group of friends. It was a carnage cup, Dettori got to the front on Central Park then put the breaks on and several horse suffered bad interference including the favourite Sky Heights and Lady Elsie. where she nearly fell. The pace remained slow for the whole race.

Lady Elsie drew 22 and went back where you did not want to be. She probably was not good enough and bit suspect at the distance but was coming off a slashing 3rd in the Geelong Cup where she came from last on the turn after drawing wide.

The only chance she had as it turned out with the pace was to go forward like Bart's Zazzabelle who dead heated for third.
We were a better horse than Zazzabelle but that is clutching at straws. It was an amazing day to have a cup runner but disappointing to have the race ruin for us not long after the start.

Thanks for sharing that. It was a roughhouse Cup and Frankie Dettori slowed them up a lot on Central Cup.

Before the race Bart wanted Rogan Josh to be ridden back and have the last cracked at them with 200m to go (assuming they'd be pace in the race) but it was decided to ride the horse on the pace in the top 5/6 in running due to the slow pace. It worked. Rogan Josh (barrier 21) was flying...I doubt many in that Cup field beat him that day but it was a shame so many horses were knocked around, as you pointed out....Sky Heights and Lady Elsie. Tie The Knot was caught out wide and couldn't get in closer to the rail.

As for Zazzabelle - going into that Cup the furtherest she had won at was 1250m. Bart's magic really came to the fore and she ran 3rd....actually Zazabelle dead-heated for 3rd with Lahar who had ran 3rd in the Sydney Cup earlier that year.
 
Yep this was my first thought. He would be absolutely livid I imagine. Can only imagine the phone call. Not great for the MC.

Have RV become far too risk averse? The horses safety always comes first, but has the pendulant swung too far the other way??
 
If the horses safety comes first only on major races does the horses safety really come first? It's just a business decision to try to minimise the chance of bad PR

I always had a theory that RV have become so risk averse because of the internationals dominating. It's no secret to see the Melbourne Cup dropping in terms of depth in the last 3 or 4 years and believe me the last 3 or 4 Cups have been weak depthwise....not strong. This Cup field will be weak again.

Sad shame.
 

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Gee wonder if our old mate Saint George will gain a spot now ?

Even if he does they firmly suggested in the stable presser he wouldn’t. They aren’t AB where they change their mind every other day so I’d be thinking that hasn’t changed. Betfair can still get almost triple figures.
 
Well that's disappointing for JB, especially as I backed it at 80's a while back. Oh well.
TAB have VS listed as doubtful to run, not sure how much weight you can give ti that.


That is the strongest lead that she will not run. Lokks like I have been Wallered again by sugar lips. Fair enough if she not 100% but if she is and they never planned to run her why make out they were considering it.

This race now looks weaker than pre the internationals coming. Never thought I would say it but Interpretation must be a chance. He ran well last year for 6th and he has had a better preparation this year.
 
Far out it's going to be a weak old Melbourne Cup isn't it.

Likely to be 2 or 3 right in the market, then a lot of name your own price hacks.

Just smells like a year where the winner could be some absolute dromedary that pulls a big run out of its rear end to either pinch the cup or screw everyone's exotics (or both)
 

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Racing 2024 G1 Melbourne Cup (3200m)

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