Find out who wins the race that stops the nation on what looks like a typically tough cup day meeting!
Flemington Race 2
#7 WHITE MARLIN
An undefeated customer who won really well at Caulfield last start despite carrying 60kg. Up in distance here, and I expect him to peak third up from a spell on the big Flemington stage. He looks well weighted with 56kg and should go forward from the wide barrier (15).
Caboche looks the danger after a nice run at Caulfield. He gets in well at the weights and has drawn ideally in barrier 5. Verimli looks over the odds.
Suggested Bet: White Marlin @ $2.30
Flemington RACE 3
#10 THE CUNNING FOX
The Cunning Fox is first up here after a successful autumn campaign. The first-up record doesn’t read well, however, he looks like he went to a new level last time in.
He finished his autumn preparation with a second at Flemington behind Alegron in The VRC St Leger. Well drawn in barrier 4, Craig Williams takes the ride, and Patrick Payne targets this race each year. The one to beat.
Ascension will start favourite after a last win at Caulfield. The stable is flying, and the Flemington track will suit. The Danger.
Not To Be Mist is over the odds for the Nick Ryan camp.
Suggested Bet: The Cunning Fox @ $7.00
Flemington Race 4
#12 Quang TRI
Quang Tri looks a good thing on a tough day. A very consistent filly who did enough first-up from a spell at Caulfield.
She was visually a run short in the mounting yard; if she has improved from that win, she will be tough to beat.
The heavy conditions will suit, and I am sure the stable has targeted this race with her second up.
Cool Kaap from the Chris Waller stable looks over the odds and has had some good early market support. James McDonald takes the ride, and he is in white hot form.
Dashing and Zoe’s Promise will be thereabouts.
Suggested Bet: Quang Tri @ $2.30
Flemington Race 7
#24 Realm Of Flowers
An exciting edition of The Melbourne Cup. The international form looks like the winning form, however, with the wet weather forecast for Tuesday, the locals are back in the calculations.
Deauville Legend looks promising with a high cruising speed and looks to have a big future. The concern is the impending heavy conditions, as 6 out of his 7 starts have been on good tracks. 55kg is not ideal, either. Short enough in the market.
Without A Fight looks suited to the 3200m. William Buick is a big plus, but he will need to be switched on from barrier 18. He has avoided weight penalties by only running in Listed and Group 3 events, strategically placed here.
If you like the form of the favourite Deauville Legend, you must like the form of Hoo Ya Mal. The only concern is the last start failure on a wet track. He crossed the line with Deauville Legend several starts back and has been supported in early markets. Big chance.
Realm Of Flowers looks like the best chance for a local victory. Great run in The Group 1 Metropolitan on a heavy track. She is well weighted with 50kg and she is ideally drawn in barrier 5. She looks poised, and she can win our big race.
Young Werther is the best roughie. Great run in The Group 1 Turnbull before a solid effort in The Group 1 Cox Plate. If he can run a solid 3200m he can be in the finish.
Montefilia will get her chance to win our great race. She produced an eye-catching run last start in The Group 1 Caulfield Cup. I am not sure The Caufield Cup is the correct form, however, she was massive through the line.
Suggested Bet: Realm Of Flowers @ $11.00
