On The Punt: Best bets for the full 10-race Melbourne Cup meet

EVERYONE thinks they have the winner in the race that stops a nation, but what about the other nine races? Leading form analyst Michael Manley runs the rule over the whole Melbourne Cup day meeting to find a few gems.

EVERYONE thinks they have the winner in the race that stops a nation, but what about the other nine races?

Leading form analyst Michael Manley runs the rule over the whole 10-race Flemington Melbourne Cup meeting to find a few gems.

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Nomothaj has strong form at Flemington and will be cherry ripe for the Schweppes Flemington Fling. Picture: Getty Images

BEST BET

NOMOTHAJ (R5, No.1 $7.50)

She’s had four starts and two wins which have both been over this track and distance. She’s jumped out well at Flemington recently. This would be a target race for Lindsay Park.

NEXT BEST

FIFTY STARS (R3, No.10 $2.40)

Boom galloper who has finished second at both of his starts this time in. Last time was at Caulfield where he wasn’t suited by the slow speed and also pulled up with a respiratory problem. He loves the sting out of the track.

Fifty Stars likes it a little softer under foot and should go well in the get out of jail stakes. Picture: AAP

SHRAAOH (R4, No.10 $5)

International galloper making his Australian debut who has been impressing track watchers at Werribee. He was a Goodwood winner two starts ago and is in the right stable.

VALUE BET

SNITZCRAFT (R9, No.7 $8.50)

Former Queensland sprinter who impressed with first-up fourth for the Weir stable behind Brave Song.

KIWIA (R8, No.7 $16)

Capable stayer who resumed with a good first-up fourth at The Valley behind Iconoclasm. Step up to 1800m is ideal.

The scene is set for Kiwia in the race after the Cup. Picture: Getty Images

QUADDIE

for $100 flexi returning 9.52 per cent

1st leg: 1,2,10,11,24

2nd leg: 1,2,3,7,11,13,14

3rd leg: 5,6,7,8,9

4th leg: 3,4,5,7,8,9

THE TRAINER

Top trainer James Cummings has a number of chances on Cup Day. Picture: AAP

JAMES CUMMINGS

■ POHUTUKAWA (R6, No.13 $9)

“Pohutukawa was a barnstorming winner against mares last start at Warwick Farm and she’s coped nicely with it. She back against her own age here. She’s settled in well to her Melbourne routine and is another strong chance again second up.”

■ AVILIUS (R7, No.10 $13)

“He’s taken a lot from his Cox Plate run and he’s ready for 3200m. through the handicaps, he was in the race a month out thanks to his win here at Flemington. To take form with Winx and Benbatl and Humidor into the Cup leaves me with a lot of confidence that he’s going to be perfect on the day.”

Can Avilius win the Melbourne Cup? Picture: Getty Images

■ DUCA VALENTINOIS (R8, No.2 $11)

“He was a strong performer at weight-for-age last time and despite his rider dropping his whip half a furlong out, he still hit the line strongly and was one of the better runs in the race. His weight-for-age form should read very well for a race like this.”

■ TREKKING (R9, No.6 $4.80)

“Trekking has been faultless this campaign and hasn’t even looked like running a bad race. Last start has to be put into the forgive file. He’s still bright and ready to put in another bold performance.”

■ EPIDEMIC (R10, No.13 $19)

“Epidemic was warming to her task nicely and nearly looked capable of running third before being hampered in the Nivison. She should be capable of running out the seven furlongs and although she carries a penalty for a Stakes win last preparation.”

■ SAVATIANO (R10, No.12 $6.50)

“Savatiano raced a bit flat last start in the Tesio at Moonee Valley. She never really took her rider anywhere he wanted to go. Hopefully that’s a run we can put behind her after having a little setback two weeks earlier. She’s jumping out of her skin.”