Melbourne Cup 2019: Five minute dummies guide
You could bet on a horse the experts like — or you could pick one for a completely arbitrary reason by following this dummies guide.
Melbourne Cup
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We’ve trawled through a stack of form guides, listened to dozens of experts and watched the movement in the bookies’ odds like hawks.
And you know what? It’s still anyone’s guess who will win today’s Melbourne Cup.
So instead of trying to find the hidden secret that doesn’t exist — why not back a horse today for a completely arbitrary reason?
Here’s our dummies guide to picking the winner of the race that stops a nation.
YOU’RE ALL ABOUT STRAYA, MATE
If you’re patriotic and want to see an Aussie get up, Vow And Declare (23), Surprise Baby (18) and Youngstar (24) are the only horses with a local trainer, a local jockey and solely local form.
YOU LOVE THE LADIES
If girl power is your thing, Magic Wand (15) is one of only two mares in the race. Just remember, triple champ Makybe Diva was the last mare to win back in 2005.
YOU WATCH HOUSE OF CARDS
The Irish stayer Raymond Tusk (13) is named after the character on the hit television series.
YOU LIKE ROCK AND ROLL
Master of Reality (3) is the name of the third studio album by Black Sabbath.
YOU LIKE CLASSICAL MUSIC
Rostropovich (9) shares the name of one of the greatest cellists of the 20th century, Russian Mstislav Rostropovich.
YOU THINK FRANCESCA CUMANI IS A GODDESS
The Channel 10 presenter and racehorse owner has been a popular part of the Melbourne Cup coverage for years and if you think she’s ace, go with her tip — Mustajeer (8).
YOU BELIEVE IN LOVE
Six-year-old stallion Mirage Dancer (4) is trained by Trent Busuttin and his partner Natalie Young. They met as teenagers and are now doing what they love side by side.
YOU’RE OUT OF LOVE
Constantinople (19) and Southern France (5) were both in Aidan O’Brien’s stable before being cast aside and picked up by Australian trainers. Winning today would be the ultimate revenge move.
YOU LOVE THE CHASE
Give Hunting Horn (6) a blast.
YOU’RE ALREADY EXCITED ABOUT CHRISTMAS
Star jockey Damian Lane will be wearing red, white and green atop Mer De Glace (2).
YOU’RE FEELING CLASSY
Owner Nick Williams says Latrobe (7) is the “classiest runner in the field”.
YOU’RE FEELING GASSY
Stay off the champagne — and go with Downdraft (14).
YOU’RE AN OLDIE BUT A GOODIE
Only 11 seven-year-olds have won the Melbourne Cup but if you’re after experience, this year’s veterans include Twilight Payment (10), Prince of Arran (12) and Sound (17).
YOU LIKE KIDS
Constantinople (19) is the kindergarten kid of the field at four years old.
YOU’RE FEELING A LITTLE HEAVY
Last year’s winner Cross Counter (1) will carry the most weight in the race at 57.5kg.
YOU LOVE AN UNDERDOG
Neufbosc (16) drew an awful barrier and is at the longest odds of any horse.
YOU’RE A KIWI
The field is full of international horses but there’s only one from New Zealand — The Chosen One (22).
YOU’RE A YANK
There’s also only one American horse — Il Paradiso (20).
YOU DON’T FOLLOW RACING BUT YOU’VE HEARD OF WINX
The trainer of Australia’s favourite racehorse, Chris Waller, has two runners in today’s race but his best hope of winning his first Melbourne Cup is Finche (11).
Good luck!
Originally published as Melbourne Cup 2019: Five minute dummies guide