OK, first things first.
I’m not a serious punter.
And I don’t bet on the races week in week out because I think it’s a mugs game.
But I love the Spring Racing Carnival in Melbourne.
It’s about the only time I’ll have a little flutter on the races.
We’ve been living in Melbourne for nearly 40 years and the Melbourne Cup has become very much a part of our lives.
It’s a long held tradition where not only does the city get a holiday, but many people have barbecues and drinks leading up to the race that stops the nation.
Come to think of it, it’s a race that stops quite a few nations around the planet because of the international raiders hoping to snare the big prize.
My first visit to the Melbourne Cup was way back in 1984.
Black Knight won that race and was ridden by Peter Cook and trained by George Hanlon.
At the time, I happened to be working for the premier Racing station called Radio 3DB.
So I was fortunate on two fronts – I got free tickets to the main marquee in front of the winning post and also to the much sought after member’s stand at the famous Flemington Race Track.
Although we’d been in Melbourne for a very short time it was one of my dreams to attend a Melbourne Cup.
As luck would have it, I wound up working with a bunch of sporting celebrities like the late legendary Melbourne Cup Race Caller, Bill Collins.
He was such an obliging and extremely humble man who gave me a mountain of advice that helped me settle into my new role.
So learning the ropes of the massive horse racing industry became more of an exciting challenge rather than a chore.
Two weeks prior to my first Cup outing my boss called me into his office.
After a bit of a chitchat he gave me the business card of a reputable menswear boutique in the city.
He asked me to make an appointment with them in the coming days, but said nothing else.
When I got to the boutique I was ushered into very opulent surroundings.
The first thing they offered me was a glass of exquisite champagne.
I was gob smacked with their unusual hospitality, but decided to go with the flow and enjoy the chance of being spoilt.
Then a very prim and proper gentleman approached to take my measurements.
About 10 minutes later, he returned with a swag of clothing for me to try on.
As he helped me dress, I realised the suit I was trying on was nothing like anything I’d ever worn before.
After dressing me, he handed me a cane and a Top Hat.
When I finally looked in the mirror, I wanted to kaila and scream with laughter.
Staring back at me was somebody who looked like they’d just stepped out of an 18th century English movie set.
Anyway, long story short, it’s how I was introduced to my very first Melbourne Cup.
Top hat and tails is very much the traditional dress especially in the member’s stand.
When I got back to the station, my boss had a mischevious look on his face.
He knew that I had never been to a Melbourne Cup so he wanted to treat me to an experience he knew I’d remember forever.
And what an awesome experience it turned out to be for both my wife and me.
Thanks Noel Crowe!
Now back to this year’s race.
It’s going to be a cold wet and windy Melbourne Cup with a freezing polar blast blowing in from the Antarctic.
So the track’s definitely going to be at best, a soft rating.
Or, if it keeps pouring there’s every chance the track could become heavy depending on how much rain soaks the track.
Horses that are described as wet track specialists will come into contention.
And those carrying a light weight will be the ones to watch.
The heavier weighted horses will most definitely hit the wall around the 600 metre mark coming up to the finishing post especially if the going gets heavy.
And horses who’re generally lighter and strong finishers in the sprint home for this gruelling race will be the ones that’ll make their mark
in the closing stages of the race.
After studying the field, I’m leaning towards Loft who ran a record time in the Belmont Cup in the US.
His two wins at the 3200 metres distance together with last year’s winning jockey James MacDonald on board means he’ll be right in the finish.
Another horse that’s been quietly going about its business is Point Nepean.
Although he’s past two runs have been an absolute shocker, there’s good reason to forgive his placings because it was after an extremely long spell.
He won the Andrew Ramsden way back in May carrying 58kg over 2800 metres.
And in the Cup he’s only carrying a light weight of just 51kg.
So this horse is in with a big chance and can’t be overlooked because it’s also got the famous Lloyd Williams’ colours in the race.
And his team have won quite a few cups.
Point Nepean has a 7kg weight advantage over the field and will love the sting out of the ground.
Lunar Flare is another one that stands out for me.
This beautifully weighted 7-year-old mare will give a great sight coming into the home stretch as she was an unlucky second in the 2500m Moonee Valley Cup last week with a slashing run home.
Deuville Legend is the race favourite. And his form is impressive.
So don’t leave him out of your Trifecta and multiples.
Other notable contenders that could sneak a place in the top four are the 2019 Melbourne Cup winner, Vow & Declare, Gold Trip and Duais including Montefilia who’s had a few amazing finishes with a win over last year’s winner, Very Elegant.
So her pedigree is exceptional.
Hope you back the winner and happy punting.
• COLIN DEOKI is a regular contributor to this newspaper. The views expressed are his and not necessarily of this newspaper
