The 166th Melbourne Cup takes centre stage at Flemington, with over $10 million on offer. Our experts preview the key chances in the race that stops a nation.
The Melbourne Cup
#1 Sons And Lovers $23.00
Intriguing international. The talented six-year-old has the right tools and equipment to win the cup. His form is world-class, and his versatility alone puts him in all winning conversations. The inside draw should allow him to be close enough in the run, and the almighty Joseph O’Brien camp trains him. The 57.5kg is the primary concern, however; class will take him a long way. Major player!
The Melbourne Cup
#24 Shockletz $11.00
Flying at present! Brilliant winner of the Archer at Flemington in September, and she caught the eye late on Cox Plate Day behind Soverato at Group 3 level. In perfect order, and she is always thereabouts. She is racing with the right camp, and the 51kg puts her into all winning conversations. Untried at trip, however; her father won the 149th running of our great tradition, and I suspect she will relish the longer journey. Hard to toss with the right run in transit.
The Melbourne Cup
#18 James J Braddock $17.00
Northern Hemisphere three-year-old. Placed in the Group 1 Epsom Derby in June as a colt. He has had the ultimate gear change since, and he looked good late on resumption at Group 3 level in Ireland. His second-up form is delicious, and the stable have a high opinion of the lightly-raced four-year-old. He looks progressive, and the yard are using a winning formula for his cup preparation. Major player with Craig Williams aboard despite jumping from a different postcode.
The Melbourne Cup
#6 Enfjaar $23.00
Looked the winner as they ran for the doctor in the Caulfield Cup. The consistent English galloper only found two better in the shadows, and he will strip fitter as a result. His Group 3 victory at Goodwood over 2412m was outstanding, and I suspect the seven-year-old is ready for the longer trip at this stage of his preparation and career. His recent winning record and the sharp rise in class are among the primary concerns. The Caulfield Cup form could be a blessing or a curse.
The Melbourne Cup
#11 Juja Kibo $11.00
Racing in fine style. Qualified for Tuesday’s feature event with a brave and determined win in the Group 2 Moonee Valley Gold Cup at Flemington, and her victory prior in the now Group 2 Metropolitan was effortless. The stable is firing on all cylinders, and the flood of early money tells a story. Harder here, and the two miles is a slight query, but you can’t dismiss a stayer in form!
The Melbourne Cup
#12 Hopewell Rock $11.00
Lightly-raced English stayer. His performance in the Ebor was first-class, and he boasts a strong victory over 2816m at Goodwood in August that included Geelong Cup runner-up Small Fry. He has the progression, the profile, and form to be competitive here, and he looks well placed under the handicap conditions with 54.5kg. Zac Lloyd is in rare air, and I expect him to figure in the finish with even luck in transit.
