Monday mail: Melbourne Cup form appears clear-cut
The first two home in the Caulfield Cup and Cox Plate winner have set a high benchmark for rivals to try to topple them in the Melbourne Cup, writes NATHAN EXELBY.
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This year’s Melbourne Cup form looks more exposed than many of the Cups we’ve seen in the modern era.
The combination of the Caulfield Cup 1-2 and Cox Plate winner sets a high benchmark for any others to try and topple.
Whereas in recent years we’ve had to assess which of the ones ‘first-up off the plane’ might be the right horse, this year it would seem ‘middle of the road’ is not going to be good enough.
They will need to be very good.
The one horse among those that fits that bill is the Aidan O’Brien-trained Tiger Moth, veteran of just four starts, but coming off a brilliant last-start win.
Historically, Caulfield Cup winner Verry Elleegant and runner-up Anthony Van Dyck face a huge task to win at Flemington with their respective imposts.
That leaves Sir Dragonet, pitched in with 55.5kg based on what we saw in the Cox Plate last Saturday, and the X-factor of Tiger Moth.
Surely it can’t be that straightforward?
RACING RALLIES AROUND MACKAY
Money continues to be raised for Grafton trainer Brenden Mackay, who is fighting brain cancer.
Mackay, who had success in south-east Queensland previously, was diagnosed with a brain tumour in August last year. The decision was taken to remove the tumour with Dr Charlie Teo, but at the three month check-up, it was determined the tumours were inoperable.
He continues to undergo intense chemotherapy and radiation.
At the outset, Mackay continued to train, but his health has deteriorated over the last few months and the inevitable decision was recently taken to hand in his trainer’s licence.
The GoFundMe page was set up by Ryan Chandler, with the aim of helping Mackay with medical costs and for his fiance Megan and two children Ava (5) and Noah (1).
“Brenden at the moment is still very much involved with our horses with regards to placement in races and is still very sharp however his physical health is taking its toll,” Chandler said.
“His family is the core fabric which keeps him together and the thoroughbred is a Vessel of Peace. That personifies the reason he continues to fight this unbeatable foe, brain cancer.”
Mackay’s fundraising page can be found at gofundme.com, with the title “Brain Cancer a Horseman’s fight for life and family.”
LADBROKES WEEKEND REPORT
Best Result: Sir Dragonet in Ladbrokes Cox Plate: There was a late move for him in the fluctuations, but he was still a very positive result for the book.
Worst Result: La Mexicana, Moonee Valley Race 10: The favourite in the last is always a bad result and La Mexicana was particularly well backed.
Best Backed: Russian Camelot, Moonee Valley, Race 9: Punters have been backing Russian Camelot to win the Ladbrokes Cox Plate all spring and they didn’t stop Saturday. He was absolutely truckloaded after the rain came.
MARKETS – LADBROKES
Coolmore Stud Stakes, run Saturday
$5 Farnan, September Run
$7 Anders, Swats That
$8 Wild Ruler
$11 Glenfiddich, Ranting
$14 Doubtland
$15 Flying Award
$19 Muntaseera
$26+ Others
THIS WEEK
Tuesday: Hawkesbury, Grafton, Swan Hill
Wednesday: Ipswich, Kensington, Bendigo, Strathalbyn, Ascot, Launceston (night)
Thursday: Gosford, Sapphire Coast, Cranbourne, Northam
Friday: The Valley (night), Kilcoy, Moree, Wagga, Kilmore
Saturday: Doomben, Rosehill, Flemington, Morphettville, Ascot, Gold Coast, Toowoomba (night), Barcaldine, Cloncurry, Dalby, Home Hill, Yeppoon, Newcastle, Traralgon, Alice Springs
Sunday: Innisfail, Goulburn, Muswellbrook, Mornington, Mortlake, Mount Barker
The @CoxPlate win was a huge achievement for @cmaherracing - and that post-race interview will be remembered for a long time to come! #TheWrap pic.twitter.com/yjvykvtZMG
— Racing.com (@Racing) October 24, 2020
THE QUOTE
“I better give my mum and dad a shoutout too, my brothers and sisters, brothers, sorry I don’t have any sisters.” Co-trainer Ciaron Maher in his laconic style moments after Sir Dragonet etched his name on the Cox Plate honour roll.
THE TALKING POINT
Glen Boss’ ability to find a horse on the big stage is just uncanny. He doesn’t have the backing of one major stable, but consistently gets himself in the right spot at the right time. Last year he won The Everest and Golden Eagle. Could it be this year he now adds a fourth Melbourne Cup to sit alongside his fourth Cox Plate?
THE RIDE
Jamie Kah won’t soon forget Cox Plate Day. Four winners comprising a Group 2, Group 3, Listed and Restricted Listed on a day where she showcased her skills on speed and from back in the ruck.
THREE TO BACK
Dusty Tycoon, Doomben, Race 6: Terrific return under the 59kg.
Ocean Treaty, Doomben, Race 5: Will continue to win staying events up here.
Groundswell, Moonee Valley (Friday), Race 7: Fulfilling his potential now as a gelding.
RISK
Shared Ambition (Moonee Valley, Race 8) is super consistent, but since bursting onto the scene last spring, he’s won just once in nine starts and been a beaten favourite five times.
THE FLOP
Trap For Fools, Moonee Valley, Race 8: Plenty of money around to say he could wind back the clock, but was beaten a long way out.
SHARP SHOOTERS
Given the volume of money wagered, the price crush for Sir Dragonet was amazing. The fluctuations told you he had done enormously well since arriving in Australia and it was spot on.
Originally published as Monday mail: Melbourne Cup form appears clear-cut