Racing Melbourne Cup 2023 ( no after the fact posts)

Melbourne Cup winner??

  • 2.ALENQUER(9) - Damien Oliver

    Votes: 0 0.0%
  • 8.RIGHT YOU ARE(15) - John Allen

    Votes: 0 0.0%
  • 13.OKITA SOUSHI(20) - Dylan Gibbons (a)

    Votes: 0 0.0%
  • 14.SHERAZ(22) - Beau Mertens

    Votes: 0 0.0%
  • 16.MAGICAL LAGOON(7) - Mark Du Plessis

    Votes: 0 0.0%
  • 19.VIRTUOUS CIRCLE(6) - Craig Newitt

    Votes: 0 0.0%
  • 22.INTERPRETATION(17) - Teo Nugent

    Votes: 0 0.0%
  • 23.KALAPOUR(14) - Zac Lloyd (a)

    Votes: 0 0.0%

  • Total voters
    99
  • Poll closed .

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Post Caulfield Cup rankings

1A. GOLD TRIP - Really good run in the Caulfield Cup beating everything bar the winner heading this way comfortably. Expect Flemington to suit him a lot better and presume he meets WAF slightly better at the weights now heading there. Has the class and is already proven running out a strong 2 miles in the Melbourne Cup. All going to be weather dependent as to whether he is the top seed or not. If the track has give in it then it really improves his chances and puts the slows on his main rivals.

1B. WITHOUT A FIGHT - Brilliant winner of the Caulfield Cup. Had a couple lengths on Gold Trip and 5 lengths + on everything else heading this way so very hard to see anything else bar GT being able to turn the tables at Flemington. Technically he is unproven at the trip but with 2800m form in England the expectation is that shouldn't be a problem out here. His wheels don't spin on a wet surface though so if we have a soft track then its almost rule a line territory. Firm track though and he is the one to beat.

3. SOULCOMBE - Complete barrier rogue. Walked out 8 lengths behind them in the Caulfield Cup and ran really well considering. Made up good ground in that race through the 800-600 and was on the back of WAF and GT but then got crowded for a bit of room in the straight before plugging home reasonably. I think 2 miles at Flemington will suit him perfectly and that was a decent Cup trial all things considered but he is just consistently shit at the barriers and is just getting worse so no reason to think he wont miss the kick poorly at Flemington again and have to pass the whole field.

4. VAUBAN - Valiant King didn't exactly frank the form at Caulfield but he finished around these sort of horses and Vauban did beat him pretty comfortably by a couple lengths so would expect him to be in this sort of area still.

5. BREAKUP - Average at best Caulfield Cup run and he just didnt seem fast enough or good enough to sustain speed over 2400m. I expect the bigger Flemington track and the 2 miles to both be better suited for him but not by enough to be able to make up the difference on those already rated ahead of him.

Doesn't seem any point in going beyond this for winning chances for me. It was a strong Caulfield Cup and that is THE form race for Flemington with the other lead ups looking pretty lackluster. For the sake of looking deeper ill just round out the list with the best roughies for the back end of exotics.

ASHRUN - Currently $120 was one of the better runs out of the Bart Cummings. Off the scene for pretty much 2 years his first up run this prep was really good sitting 3WNC and getting beat 3.75L over 1700m. Backed that up in the Bart Cummings running on really well from last clocking the best last 800, 600 and 400 whilst giving away 5kg to the first two.

DAQUIANSWEET JUNIOR - Currently $101. As previously stated in this thread he is basically on the same prep as last year where he ran a credible 6th in the Cup and gets in nice and light in the weights. His 3200m form in this country is good and generally runs above market expectations when getting out to a trip so can see him running past some more tired horses at the end.

SPANISH MISSION - Currently $65. As said above he had been pegged as an out and out 2 miler since he got here and he has had 6 runs since that Spring for 5 goes at 2000m or less and one go at 2400m on a wet track which he doesn't go on. He is older, locally trained and had injuries so obviously not near his best but he has a lot more class potential than anything else in the dregs and his last start Turnbull 8th has a lot of merit crossing the line with most of these types.

VIRTUOUS CIRCLE - Currently $55. Had no luck in the Bart Cummings when running into traffic everywhere. Think he finishes considerably closer with luck and meets most of that field better of fat the weights should they meet again at Flemington.

MORE FELONS - Currently $300. For the plays tall believers. Yet to be seen but on his European form he isn't really any worse off than a lot of others also making up the numbers and he is a considerably better price than most of them. He will stay the 2 miles no problems and gets in light at the weights. For comparison he took on Absurde in the Ebor in their last race start before coming here and he was 14/1 vs 7/1 in that race carrying basically a kilo more and now meets him 3.5kg better off for a 3 length defeat in that race so I think id rather spec MF at 15x the price.


Trouble with a lot of the roughies though is they are on the day F4 add ons and if they run well before the Cup the odds will likely be gone and if they run like shit you probably dont want to be with them...
 

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My live bets and cups doubles after WAF yesterday:

  • WAF - nothing to suggest he can't do the cups double, weather and track permitting. Looks like Frankie might be on board. Ordinarily I don't back them after one failed attempt at the MC but took exception to that a while back after last years bog track.
  • Vauban - was looking (hoping) for a solid effort from Valiant King yesterday, which confident enough got (noting it had mucus out after the Kilternan, after running 2nd to Vauban in the Ballyroan). Accept there are question marks and unknowns, and $4.50 now is ludicrous.
  • Breakup - Lost sight of him when my focus switched to WAF, WWB and GT in the straight. Last thing noticed was he looked hard ridden, was surprised when saw he finished as close as he did (although behind Soulcombe, and we all know what happened there). Lane suggested he'd appreciate the bigger Flemington track (not surprised he'd say that). Considerably more hopeful than optimistic he can win the cup.

Wipeout if GT goes back to back (ideally isn't there) or Soulcombe quickly learns to love the gates (red pen job at present). And everything else, but on the knowns everything else is running for second at best.
 
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My live bets and cups doubles after WAF yesterday:

  • WAF - nothing to suggest he can't do the cups double, weather and track permitting. Looks like Frankie might be on board. Ordinarily I don't back them after one failed attempt at the MC but took exception to that a while back after last years bog track.
  • Vauban - was looking (hoping) for a solid effort from Valiant King yesterday, which confident enough got (noting it had mucus out after the Kilternan, after running 2nd to Vauban in the Ballyroan). Accept there are question marks and unknowns, and $4.50 now is ludicrous.
  • Breakup - Lost sight of him when my focus switched to WAF, WWB and GT in the straight. Last thing noticed was he looked hard ridden, was surprised when saw he finished as close as he did (although behind Soulcombe, and we all know what happened there). Lane suggested he'd appreciate the bigger Flemington track (not surprised he'd say that). Considerably more hopeful than optimistic he can win the cup.

Wipeout if GT goes back to back (ideally isn't there) or Soulcombe quickly learns to love the gates (red pen job at present). And everything else, but on the knowns everything else is running for second at best.


Optimistic antepost ticket holder call on the Valiant King run. Got beaten a lot further than he did by Vauban. Form 100% looking questionable off that.

Breakups not winning off that run. One paced cooked plodder as advised
 
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Optimistic antepost ticket holder call on the Valiant King run. Got beaten a lot further than he did by Vauban. Form 100% looking questionable off that.

Breakups not winning off that run. One paced cooked plodder as advised

So hypothetically Paris, say you backed Breakup at a very good stale price over at SPB, then later had another go on the fair at a good stale price, and you were now looking to bail out your Betfair punt - where are you trading and spreading it if, let’s say, you’re already on WAF (also on the fair) and Vauban (same stale price as Breakup over at SPB). Whack it all on GT or something else? Just keep it aside for Derby Day fun, or for some actual on the day Cup trading?
 
So hypothetically Paris, say you backed Breakup at a very good stale price over at SPB, then later had another go on the fair at a good stale price, and you were now looking to bail out your Betfair punt - where are you trading and spreading it if, let’s say, you’re already on WAF (also on the fair) and Vauban (same stale price as Breakup over at SPB). Whack it all on GT or something else? Just keep it aside for Derby Day fun, or for some actual on the day Cup trading?
if you got the 80s i would lay it on Betfair keep the stake and bet the profit on GT who is almost a total moral
 
Gold Trip 100% the horse you need to be saving on. If the track has give in it he is the winner

Shame wasn’t the other way around, e.g. $81 Betfair / $36 SPB. Sadly the Betfair antepost market has been rather ordinary this year (was last year too), almost all of my ‘above odds’ bets have been with the corps so much less to trade. Picking not alone there.
 
I’d be laying double my stake back right now. How is it still only $16.50 on the fair. It’s a $30s chance at best.

To be honest if I was on at $80s I’d just hold the ticket and hope for a fluke though.
 
Id be letting the 80s ride on Breakup if it was me too. Its not like he has firmed in enough to lock in a really good profit and he is still probably like 5th or 6th pick given how far it falls away so 80s is still +EV to let ride on the day and see what happens. There arent many that you need things to go wrong with
 
I’d be laying double my stake back right now. How is it still only $16.50 on the fair. It’s a $30s chance at best.

To be honest if I was on at $80s I’d just hold the ticket and hope for a fluke though.

Yeah $81 SPB, bit under half that fair. Only $20 SPB so will let that ride, trade what I’ve got there on the fair (gambled on it being shorter for trading, which fortunately is the case).
 

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What price do you think the winner of an Epsom Derby by 5.5 lengths would be the Cup. The answer is 61/1 the problem is it was 2020. Nevertheless, he is racing the best he has in Oz since being trained by Gai. Thought he was the best run in the Bart Cummings with 58 kgs. 5 wide going out of straight and did not get outside the leader and winner FH to the back straight. I know it is a fairly long bow to expect a win as a 7yo but he drops 7 kgs from the Bart Cummings as is easily the best roughie in the race.
 
What price do you think the winner of an Epsom Derby by 5.5 lengths would be the Cup. The answer is 61/1 the problem is it was 2020. Nevertheless, he is racing the best he has in Oz since being trained by Gai. Thought he was the best run in the Bart Cummings with 58 kgs. 5 wide going out of straight and did not get outside the leader and winner FH to the back straight. I know it is a fairly long bow to expect a win as a 7yo but he drops 7 kgs from the Bart Cummings as is easily the best roughie in the race.

The Bart Cummings looks about 30 lengths below what will be required to win this year. It had absolutely none
 
Flicking through betfair there are zero roughies that actually appeal right now. Maybe Spanish Mission or Ashrun and you hope they turn back the clock or the Kiwi WFA winner who will have to get in via the Lexus but that is just absolutely clutching at straws
 
Flicking through betfair there are zero roughies that actually appeal right now. Maybe Spanish Mission or Ashrun and you hope they turn back the clock or the Kiwi WFA winner who will have to get in via the Lexus but that is just absolutely clutching at straws

Somewhat hard to believe SM started second or third fave in 2021.
 
He obviously isn't the same horse as 2 years ago when he first arrived but even back then I feel like most here weren't interested in him backing up over 2400m at Sandown as he needed every inch of the 2 miles out here. Since then he has only had one run beyond 2000m on a wet track so he is one I could probably entertain at the back end of exotics
 
Post Caulfield Cup rankings

1A. GOLD TRIP - Really good run in the Caulfield Cup beating everything bar the winner heading this way comfortably. Expect Flemington to suit him a lot better and presume he meets WAF slightly better at the weights now heading there. Has the class and is already proven running out a strong 2 miles in the Melbourne Cup. All going to be weather dependent as to whether he is the top seed or not. If the track has give in it then it really improves his chances and puts the slows on his main rivals.

1B. WITHOUT A FIGHT - Brilliant winner of the Caulfield Cup. Had a couple lengths on Gold Trip and 5 lengths + on everything else heading this way so very hard to see anything else bar GT being able to turn the tables at Flemington. Technically he is unproven at the trip but with 2800m form in England the expectation is that shouldn't be a problem out here. His wheels don't spin on a wet surface though so if we have a soft track then its almost rule a line territory. Firm track though and he is the one to beat.

3. SOULCOMBE - Complete barrier rogue. Walked out 8 lengths behind them in the Caulfield Cup and ran really well considering. Made up good ground in that race through the 800-600 and was on the back of WAF and GT but then got crowded for a bit of room in the straight before plugging home reasonably. I think 2 miles at Flemington will suit him perfectly and that was a decent Cup trial all things considered but he is just consistently s**t at the barriers and is just getting worse so no reason to think he wont miss the kick poorly at Flemington again and have to pass the whole field.

4. VAUBAN - Valiant King didn't exactly frank the form at Caulfield but he finished around these sort of horses and Vauban did beat him pretty comfortably by a couple lengths so would expect him to be in this sort of area still.

5. BREAKUP - Average at best Caulfield Cup run and he just didnt seem fast enough or good enough to sustain speed over 2400m. I expect the bigger Flemington track and the 2 miles to both be better suited for him but not by enough to be able to make up the difference on those already rated ahead of him.

Doesn't seem any point in going beyond this for winning chances for me. It was a strong Caulfield Cup and that is THE form race for Flemington with the other lead ups looking pretty lackluster. For the sake of looking deeper ill just round out the list with the best roughies for the back end of exotics.

ASHRUN - Currently $120 was one of the better runs out of the Bart Cummings. Off the scene for pretty much 2 years his first up run this prep was really good sitting 3WNC and getting beat 3.75L over 1700m. Backed that up in the Bart Cummings running on really well from last clocking the best last 800, 600 and 400 whilst giving away 5kg to the first two.

DAQUIANSWEET JUNIOR - Currently $101. As previously stated in this thread he is basically on the same prep as last year where he ran a credible 6th in the Cup and gets in nice and light in the weights. His 3200m form in this country is good and generally runs above market expectations when getting out to a trip so can see him running past some more tired horses at the end.

SPANISH MISSION - Currently $65. As said above he had been pegged as an out and out 2 miler since he got here and he has had 6 runs since that Spring for 5 goes at 2000m or less and one go at 2400m on a wet track which he doesn't go on. He is older, locally trained and had injuries so obviously not near his best but he has a lot more class potential than anything else in the dregs and his last start Turnbull 8th has a lot of merit crossing the line with most of these types.

VIRTUOUS CIRCLE - Currently $55. Had no luck in the Bart Cummings when running into traffic everywhere. Think he finishes considerably closer with luck and meets most of that field better of fat the weights should they meet again at Flemington.

MORE FELONS - Currently $300. For the plays tall believers. Yet to be seen but on his European form he isn't really any worse off than a lot of others also making up the numbers and he is a considerably better price than most of them. He will stay the 2 miles no problems and gets in light at the weights. For comparison he took on Absurde in the Ebor in their last race start before coming here and he was 14/1 vs 7/1 in that race carrying basically a kilo more and now meets him 3.5kg better off for a 3 length defeat in that race so I think id rather spec MF at 15x the price.


Trouble with a lot of the roughies though is they are on the day F4 add ons and if they run well before the Cup the odds will likely be gone and if they run like s**t you probably dont want to be with them...
No one keen on Lunar Flare? iluvparis
 

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Racing Melbourne Cup 2023 ( no after the fact posts)

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