IT’S giddy up time! Spring has sprung and Melbourne’s come alive with colour and splendour for the spectacle that’s the Melbourne Cup Carnival.
People from all over the world have come to celebrate this iconic event.
And that includes some of the world’s leading fashion designers showcasing their creative genius on the famous Flemington catwalk.
But the bustling Birdcage Enclosure at the Flemington Racetrack is where the who’s who of Melbourne and Australian society will be gathering to rub shoulders with the glitterati glamour set from around the globe.
Excitement’s building as everyone eagerly awaits the main event to see who will be crowned champion. And what a race it’ll be as 24 mighty stayers do battle in the gruelling 3200 metres race that will stop the nation. The Melbourne Cup is a handicap race, which means any of the 24 horses have an even chance of winning.
But it’s also an endurance test to see which horse is the fittest to last the distance in the sprint home to salute the judge.
That horse will etch its name in racing history. However the question on many lips is, “Can Gold Trip win back to back Cups lugging the huge weight of 58.5kg?”
Only a few horses in the race’s history have done it. Makybe Diva was one of those horses and won the cup carrying 58kg in 2005.
Gold Trip’s an exceptional horse and will definitely be in the finish judging from his incredible performances in the past few weeks.
It’s fighting fit and has the runs on the board to do it. But it’ll be a firm Flemington track and the weather forecast is for around 30 degrees.
So the heat could affect some of the heavily weighted runners. But as always there’ll be a strong contingent of internationals gunning to spoil Gold Trip’s party.
And one of those chances is the favourite, Vauban.
Rarely does a favourite win a Melbourne Cup. But it appears this horse has a freakish form with outstanding European credentials.
And when you combine the genius of Master Trainer Willie Mullins with Britain’s top jockey Ryan Moore, this horse will take some beating.
Another horse that’s been flying under the radar is Japanese-raider Breakup.
It came fourth in the Group 1 Tenno Sho in Japan over 3200 metres.
The winner of that race flashed home in a sizzling race time of 3:16 which, by Australian standards, is a record.
What’s even more interesting is, Breakup’s carrying 3kgs less from that scorching race with some of the best stayers in Japan. Then there’s Soulcombe.
Don’t you just love the name? I’d love Soulcombe to win just because of the name alone. But on a more serious note, Soulcombe’s lead up races have been eye catching.
And I think it’s got the form to cause a boil over. Then there’s the Lloyd Williams hope, Cleveland. He won the Moonee Valley Gold Cup in fine form and in a very strong field.
He could be the surprise package in the Melbourne Cup. And that race also included Future History and Vow and Declare, a previous Melbourne Cup winner who will run a great race and feature in the finish.
Cleveland has somehow snuck under the handicapper’s radar and is carrying 3kg less on his back after that win.
But so has another contender in highly fancied Absurde who’s most definitely beaten the weight watching handicapper coming into the race with 7kg less weight after winning the hotly contested Ebor in the UK. Another horse with a huge weight advantage is Okita Soushi.
This lightweight chance is one of the quiet achievers and can definitely deliver with only 51.5kg on its back. So who’s going to win? Your guess is as good as mine.
But I’m going to stick my neck out and give you my picks.
I think the winner will come from the following mix: Breakup, Vauban, Soulcombe, Okita Soushi, Cleveland, Gold Trip and Without A Fight including that mighty old campaigner, Vow and Declare.
Happy punting. And hope you back the Winner.
Picture: ATU RASEA
