Melbourne Cup 2022 predicted finishing order

Who are the main chances in the 2022 Melbourne Cup? Form analyst Chris Vernuccio predicts the finishing order.

Montefilia could be the best local hope to beat the raiders in the Melbourne Cup. Picture: Getty Images

There are only four internationals in the 2022 Melbourne Cup but one of them has the bookies nervous.

Form analyst CHRIS VERNUCCIO has run his eye over the Cup field and predicts where every runner will finish from first to last.

1. DEAUVILLE LEGEND

His runaway victory in the Great Voltigeur – where he thrashed Cox Plate placegetter El Bodegon – confirmed his talent. Only had seven starts but he keeps rising to another level. He does have a terrible habit of veering left and right and he’s untested on wet ground. Still, he has the traits to win a Melbourne Cup.

2. WITHOUT A FIGHT

He brings some serious overseas form which included back-to-back wins over 2787m at York. His only blemish this year was in a Group 1 in Dubai. In fact, in his 17-start career he’s been unplaced just three times.

3. MONTEFILIA

Her campaign was at the crossroads heading into the Caulfield Cup. She was unlucky not to win, motoring home after finding traffic at the top of the straight.

4. DUAIS

She was awesome in the autumn winning the Australia Cup and Tancred Stakes. Has been slowly building towards that form but if trainer Ed Cummings is like his grandfather Bart Cummings, she’s been set to peak for one race.

5. GOLD TRIP

Nabbed on the line in the Caulfield Cup, then had a forgettable run in the Cox Plate. The well-credentialed import hasn’t reached his overseas ratings – which included a fourth in the Prix l’Arc de Triomphe – but is doing enough to be among the leading chances.

6. HOO YA MAL

The other northern hemisphere three-year-old in the race, he has the right form around Deauville Legend. He was outclassed in the English St Leger, which was a hot race. Giving him respect here.

7. LUNAR FLARE

She wasn’t pushed in the Moonee Valley Gold Cup having qualified for the Cup in The Bart Cummings the start before. A slowly run race will play into her hands and a top five finish is a possibility.

8. KNIGHTS ORDER

Had a poor 2021 but he’s a different horse this year, winning the Sydney Cup at 3200m on a Heavy 10 and has carried that form into the spring. Wet conditions will suit.

9. CAMORRA

Won the Curragh Cup, which has been a reliable reference for the Melbourne Cup, but it was a weaker edition. Apart from that, he has been beaten by big margins in his other three starts this year and needs a dry track to produce his best.

10. VOW AND DECLARE

The 2019 Melbourne Cup champ has been rejuvenated this spring with some close finishes in his past three starts, including The Bart Cummings and Caulfield Cup, and he’ll give a great sight.

11. NUMERIAN

His best chance of a winning was probably earlier in the prep. He’ll be competitive but the distance is a big query.

12. REALM OF FLOWERS

Nearly pulled off a shock win in the Group 1 Metropolitan but had been well beaten in two starts prior.

13. SMOKIN’ ROMANS

Put in a flat run when sent out favourite in the Caulfield Cup after a big win in the Turnbull Stakes. He can rebound but there has to be some doubt about him at 3200m.

14. YOUNG WERTHER

Surprisingly has a great record in Group 1 races despite not adding to his maiden win in September 2020. Could feel the pinch late.

15. STOCKMAN

Easily won the St Leger two starts back and then stretched the legs in the Rosehill Gold Cup on Saturday. He’ll give his all and a heavy track could help him crack inside the top 10.

16. EMISSARY

Won the Geelong Cup, which wasn’t that strong this year. Hard to assess as he has mixed his form.

17. HIGH EMOCEAN

Did enough to win the Bendigo Cup and sneak into the field, but probably needed to show more to be a factor here.

18. GRAND PROMENADE

Badly out of form and has been thrashed in four runs since his gallant sixth in the Cup last year.

19. DAQIANSWEET JUNIOR

Lacks the class to win despite an Adelaide Cup triumph and a Sydney Cup placing over the 3200m.

20. ARAPAHO

He’s had a long campaign but still performing well although doesn’t have the scope for improvement on what he has produced.

21. INTERPRETATION

The import has so far has failed to live up to the hype in his first local prep. There’s been too many excuses for him.

22. SERPENTINE

The 2020 English Derby winner has showed very little in Australia before his second in an ordinary Archer Stakes on Derby Day

23. POINT NEPEAN

Hasn’t fired in two runs this campaign after winning The Andrew Ramsden in May to secure a golden ticket into the race.

24. TRALEE ROSE

Pulled up with a serious injury when ninth in last year’s Cup but she hasn’t performed anywhere near her stellar 2021 form.

Originally published as Melbourne Cup 2022 predicted finishing order