The BetDeluxe team goes through the best bets ahead of Melbourne Cup Day from Flemington.
In what is a mammoth 10-race card, the best of the day comes in Race 8 on the program as James McDonald looks set to notch up another Flemington carnival winner.
Flemington Race 1
#9 Quinlan
To the eye, the trial of Quinlan may not have looked amazing, but have no doubt about, he will be ready to win his first start.
He had to be given a scrub up from the inside barrier in his 855-metre trial at Randwick Kensington, but did an okay job to hang on for third.
Interestingly, he did not sport the blinkers in the trial like he does on raceday.
Expecting a sharp elevation with the blinkers going on and gun jockey Brett Prebble taking the ride.
Should be able to lead them up here and take some catching.
Good each-way play to begin our day.
Suggested Bet: Quinlan each-way at $9 the win and $2.9 the place.
Suggested Exotic: Trifecta – 1, 9/ 1, 2, 3, 9, 10/ 1, 2, 3, 4, 8, 9, 10
Flemington race 3
#1 Not To Be Mist
Not To Be Mist is going to appreciate the long straight of Flemington after being given no chance at Caulfield from the wide barrier last start.
The six-year-old gelding was hooked back to second last on a Caulfeld track that favoured rails in run and being on the pace.
He was hitting the line well enough to suggest he can run a big race here if he can settle closer to the speed.
Doubt Rhys McLeod will adopt negative tactics in what is clearly a target race.
The tongue tie also goes on in order to get this horse breathing properly and running up to his best which is well and truly capable of winning this.
Each-way price to have a bet is more than tempting.
Suggested Bet: Not To Be Mist each-way $6 the win and $2.15 the place.
Suggested Exotic: Quinella 1 & 3
Flemington race 7
#2 Incentivise, #15 Pondus, #16 Grand Promenade
Having a three-horse play in the Melbourne Cup.
Incentivise clearly goes on top after his devastating Caulfield Cup win topped off what has already been a stellar spring carnival.
Has a massive engine capable of seeing the 3200 metres for the first time in his career despite being granted the 57kgs.
Pondus looks the pick of the Lloyd Williams after building towards this grand-final with two solid efforts in the Bart Cummings and Moonee Valley Gold Cup.
Draws an inside barrier and will do no work in the run.
Grand Promenade is absolutely thriving and just keeps getting better every time he steps out onto the track.
Kerrin McEvoy knows exactly what it takes to win this race having done so three times in the past.
The dry track is going to suit this horse down the ground and he looks a real two-miler.
Suggested Bet:
Pondus each-way at $21 the win and $6 the place
Grand Promenade each-way at $16 the win and $4.6 the place
Incentivise win at $2.8 (SAVING BET TO BREAK EVEN)
Suggested Trifecta – 1, 2, 15, 16 (BOXED)
Suggested First Four – 1, 2, 15, 16, 21, 22, 23 (BOXED)
flemington race 8
#11 Promise of Success
Promise Of Success smashed her male rivals last start when giving them a head start and smashing them at Randwick Kensington.
She is a mare who is in the best form of her career and showing great sustained speed.
This race looks to shape up perfectly for her with in-form spring carnival rider James McDonald hopping in the saddle and drawing a middle gate allowing her to blend into that three-wide running line with cover.
She will have the entire Flemington straight to unwind her powerful finish.
The best bet on the Cup day card.
Suggested Bet: Promise of Success win at $2.8
