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2024 Melbourne Cup final field, barriers: Favourite eases after horror draw

Jockey Joao Moreira will need to work his magic if the Melbourne Cup favourite is to win, with his key rivals faring much better.

Daniel Sankey
21 min read
November 2, 2024 - 7:46PM
Tips to find The 2024 Melbourne Cup Winner!

Melbourne Cup favourite Buckaroo has eased slightly in betting after drawing a tricky gate for Tuesday’s $7.75 million Group 1 Melbourne Cup (3200m).

The “Magic Man” Joao Moreira will need plenty of it when Buckaroo jumps from barrier 21 on Tuesday, with Ladbrokes’ market easing him from $5 out to $5.50.

Buckaroo remains favourite ahead of Vauban, who was steady at $7 after drawing barrier 11, with Geelong Cup winner Onesmoothoperator on the third line of betting at $8.

Wednesday’s impressive Bendigo Cup winner Sea King is a $9 chance after drawing the inside gate, while $11 chance Absurde (barrier 7) also drew well.

See the field and all the barriers below.

MELBOURNE CUP BETTING
Market: Ladbrokes
$5.50 Buckaroo
$7 Vauban
$8 Onesmoothoperator
$9 Sea King
$11 Absurde
$17 Interpretation
$19 Zardozi, Land Legend
$21 Okita Soushi, Kovalica
$26 Warp Speed
$31 Saint George
$41 Circle Of Fire
$51 Athabascan, The Map, Just Fine
$71 Valiant King, Fancy Man, Manzoice, Sharp ‘N’ Smart
$101 Knight’s Choice, Mostly Cloudy, Positivity, Trust In You

Recap all the action from our live coverage of the 2024 Melbourne Cup barrier draw, which followed Victoria Derby Day at Flemington and Golden Eagle Day at Rosehill, below.

KEY HIGHLIGHTS (click headline to visit post)
• 6.23pm: Melbourne Cup field, barrier draw
• 4.52pm: Lake Forest wins Golden Eagle
• 4.30pm: Goldrush Guru delivers Derby for Kah
• 4.10pm: Brilliant Bella’s multimillion-dollar payday
• 3.50pm: Switzerland takes out Coolmore
• 3.13pm: Kah left bloodied by knock
• 2.30pm: Emotional Kah wins for late friend Col McKenna

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6.23pm: 2024 Melbourne Cup field, barriers revealed

Melbourne Cup favourite Buckaroo has drawn barrier 21 for Tuesday’s Melbourne Cup – but key rivals including Vauban (11), Onesmoothoperator (12), Sea King (1) and Absurde (7) fared much better.

Buckaroo was a $5 favourite ahead of the barrier draw.

2024 MELBOURNE CUP FIELD
$7.75 million | 3200m | Tuesday, November 5
1 – VAUBAN (Trainer: Willie Mullins; Jockey: William Buick) (Barrier: 11) 55.5kg
2 – BUCKAROO (Chris Waller; Joao Moreira) (21) 54.5kg
3 – CIRCLE OF FIRE (Ciaron Maher, Mark Zahra) (24) 54.5kg
4 – WARP SPEED (Noboru Takagi; Akira Sugawara) (3) 54kg
5 – KOVALICA (Chris Waller, Damian Lane) (17) 53.5kg
6 – SHARP ‘N’ SMART (Graeme & Deborah Rogerson, Michael Dee) (15) 53.5kg
7 – JUST FINE (Gai Waterhouse & Adrian Bott; Jye McNeill) (13) 53kg
8 – LAND LEGEND (Chris Waller; Zac Purton) (18) 53kg
9 – ABSURDE (Willie Mullins; Kerrin McEvoy) (7) 52.5kg
10 – ATHABASCAN (John O’Shea & Tom Charlton; Zac Lloyd) (2) 52kg
11 – KNIGHT’S CHOICE (John Symons & Sheila Laxon; Robbie Dolan) (6) 51.5kg
12 – OKITA SOUSHI (Ciaron Maher; Jamie Kah) (10) 51kg
13 – ONESMOOTHOPERATOR (Brian Ellison; Craig Williams) (12) 51kg
14 – ZARDOZI (James Cummings; Andrea Atzeni) (4) 51kg
15 – SEA KING (Harry Eustace; Hollie Doyle) (1) 50.5kg
16 – VALIANT KING (Chris Waller; Craig Newitt) (22) 50.5kg
17 – FANCY MAN (Annabel Neasham & Rob Archibald; Ron Stewart) (19) 50kg
18 – INTERPRETATION (Ciaron Maher; Teo Nugent) (14) 50kg
19 – MANZOICE (Chris Waller, Tyler Schiller) (8) 50kg
20 – MOSTLY CLOUDY (Trent Busuttin & Natalie Young; Karis Teetan) (16) 50kg
21 – POSITIVITY (Andrew Forsman; Winona Costin) (20) 50kg
22 – SAINT GEORGE (Ciaron Maher; TBC) (9) 50kg
23 – THE MAP (Dan Clarken & Oopy MacGillivray; Rachel King) (23) 50kg
24 – TRUST IN YOU (Bruce Wallce & Grant Cooksley; Mark Du Plessis) (5) 50kg

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5.50pm: Best photos from 2024 Derby Day

A massive crowd watches the Victoria Derby field turn for home today Picture: Quinn Rooney/Getty Images)
A massive crowd watches the Victoria Derby field turn for home today Picture: Quinn Rooney/Getty Images)

Check out the best photos from Derby Day in the Herald-Sun’s mega-gallery here.

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5.45pm: Flemington Race 9 – Shinn gets Isthmus home

Gun jockey Blake Shinn ended Derby Day on a high as he won the Group 3 Furphy Sprint (1100m) aboard the lightly-raced $8.50 chance Isthmus.

Trained by Anthony and Sam Freedman, the I Am Invincible filly out of the classy racemare Shoals notched her fifth win from just 11 starts when she dashed clear to win from Kundalini ($15) and Danny’s St Darci ($23).

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5.30pm: Rosehill Race 9 – Fawkner Park back in winner’s stall

Tyler Schiller and Fawkner Park put a disappointing Melbourne campaign behind them with a tough victory in the Group 3 Rosehill Gold Cup (2000m).

The Annabel Neasham and Rob Archibald-trained gelding was a one-time Caulfield Cup favourite before he was sent back to Sydney following a disappointing run in the Group 1 Underwood Stakes.

Despite being left in front a long way from home, Fawkner Park toughed it out to hold off the fast-finishing Wyclif (Jason Collett), with Hinged (Joao Moreira) in third.

After the race, Collett launched a protest against the winner for interference in the closing stages. It was dismissed.

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5.05pm: Flemington Race 8 – Atishu beats Amelia in thriller

“Good mares, they just find a way, don’t they?”

Star jockey James McDonald was full of praise for Atishu as the Chris Waller-trained mare stormed home to nail Amelia’s Jewel right on the line in the Group 1 Empire Rose Stakes (1600m).

It was a 102nd Group 1 victory for McDonald and his second of the day after his win aboard Switzerland in the Coolmore Stud Stakes.

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4.52pm: Rosehill Race 8 – Lake Forest wins Golden Eagle

The William Haggas-trained Lake Forest has won a thrilling edition of the $10m Golden Eagle (1500m) at Rosehill Gardens – but not before a few nervous moments as two protests were fired in after the race.

UK raider Lake Forest launched along the fence late to defeat French horse Lazzat while Tom Kitten ran a gallant race to finish third.

However, Lazzat’s connections protested against the winner for contact before the winning post, while Zac Lloyd, the rider of fifth-placed Stefi Magnetica, also launched a protest against Lazzat for interference.

Both protests were subsequently dismissed by stewards.

“We are absolutely delighted with the horse,” Isabella Paul, stable rep for William Haggas, said.

“Cieren (Fallon) has ridden the most beautiful race and we used that explosive turn of foot and my god, that final 200 metres was so impressive.”

Lake Forest stepped out as the least fancied of the international raiders which as much as $41 bet in the lead up to the race.

Japanese star Ascoli Piceno, heavily supported in betting, raced well back in the field and never really featured.

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4.30pm: Flemington Race 7 – Kah wins Victoria Derby aboard Goldrush Guru

A 10/10 Jamie Kah steer on a day of blood, sweat and tears – literally – has guided South Australian Goldrush Guru to victory in the Group 1 Victoria Derby (2500m) at Flemington.

The subject of strong support in betting, Kah overcame a tricky barrier 15 draw to slot the Andrew Gluyas-trained three-year-old into a perfect position, before careering away late with the $2m showpiece.

The Derby triumph continued a rollercoaster Derby Day for Kah who two races earlier had her mount Hurry Curry scratched at the barriers when it reared and hit her in the nose.

That followed her victory on Another Wil earlier in the card amid emotional scenes for her good friend, the late Col McKenna.

Following the Derby success, Gluyas was full of praise for the courage of both his horse … and Kah.

“She (Kah) said she may have broken her nose so she’s shown amazing courage to get back out there hasn’t she,” Gluyas said.

“And she’s ridden the perfect race as well.

“I’m speechless, overwhelmed, proud and satisfied all at the same time.

“At home we talk about coming here and winning Derby’s and races like this and to pull it off and get the win is really pleasing.”

In a blowout for punters, 33/1 shot Scary finished second while China Sea, a 12/1 chance, finished third.

Race favourite El Castello was never really in the hunt, forced to race well back in the field from a wide gate a week after his Group 1 Spring Champion Stakes win in Sydney.

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4.10pm: Rosehill Race 7 – Bella Nipotina wins Russell Balding

Bella Nipotina has become the second highest stakes earner in Australian racing history with a thumping victory in the Russell Balding Stakes (1300m) at Rosehill Gardens.

With bonuses and prize money, Bella Nipotina’s stakes surged to $22.5 million, sitting only behind the great Winx ($26m) in the Australasian prize money standings.

And The Everest winner did it almost in a canter to win the race for a second straight year.

The mighty mare sat behind a red hot early pace before Craig Williams produced her in the straight to race away for the most comfortable of victories.

“She’s an absolute marvel, just loves racing,” Johann Gerard-Dubord, stable rep for Ciaron Maher, said.

“They went quick today and she just got there so easy and once she quickened she was just in a different class.

“The more she races the better she gets … she’s just so full of confidence, she’s loving life.

“And the way she did it, I’m sure there was plenty more left as well.”

Finishing in the minors behind Bella Nipotina were stablemates Lady Laguna and Sunshine In Paris which were gallant in defeat but no match for the winner.

Remarkably, Bella Nipotina’s Russell Balding success was the first time the seven-year-old mare had won back-to-back races in her 56 start career.

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3.50pm: Flemington Race 6 – No Everest, no worries for Switzerland

Chris Waller has claimed a record sixth Coolmore Stud Stakes with star colt Switzerland simply brilliant in the stallion-making Group 1 feature.

The son of Snitzel roared away with the $2 million feature to deliver champion jockey James McDonald three of the past four stagings of the three-year-old-showpiece.

“That’s what we do baby,” McDonald screamed post race.

“The three horses I’ve ridden to win this race have all been absolute stars and this horse is right up there.

“He started short in a Golden Slipper and then got back to form last start and this race was always the target.

“Missing The Everest was the way to go. He’s a lovely colt. A pleasure to ride.”

After beginning brilliantly from the gates, Switzerland, a last start winner of the Roman Consul in Sydney, settled just behind the pace before unleashing a devastating finish to win running away.

Bellatrix Star ($9) ran home for second while favourite Growing Empire ($3.80) and Lady Of Camelot ($10) deadheated for third.

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3.25pm: Rosehill Race 6 – Tristate dominates

Anthony Cummings will be hoping to win the Group 1 Victoria Derby at Flemington with El Castello later this afternoon … but he’ll have been thrilled to pick up a Golden Eagle Day victory with Tristate ($7) in the meantime.

The Headwater gelding was dominant in the Toyota Forklifts Benchmark 78 (1100m), hitting the front along the inside as they turned for home and not giving his rivals a chance.

Dollar Magic ($7) tried hard for second while Uzziah ($7.50) was third.

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3.20pm: Flemington Race 5 – Kah left bloodied

Little more than half an hour after securing an emotional Damien Oliver victory aboard Another Wil, Jamie Kah was stood down from her Group 2 Wakeful Stakes (2000m) ride after she was left bloodied by a knock from her mount, Hurry Curry.

Stewards made the call to stand down Kah and scratch Hurry Curry as the jockey struggled to control bleeding from her injured face.

Jamie Kah holds a cloth to her face after sustaining a bloody nose before the Wakeful Stakes.
Jamie Kah holds a cloth to her face after sustaining a bloody nose before the Wakeful Stakes.

She was later assessed by medical staff, who cleared her to fulfil the rest of her riding engagements.

The Matt Laurie-trained Treasurethe Moment ($5) defied a massive betting move to win the Wakeful from John Sargent’s Powers Of Opal ($1.75), with Killcare Beachgirl ($21) back in third.

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3pm: Brad Waters TOP TIP – Flemington Race 6 at 3.40pm

Racenet’s gun Victorian form analyst Brad Waters is keeping it simple in the Group 1 Coolmore Stud Stakes at Flemington at 3.40pm.

He thinks Yulong’s gun colt GROWING EMPIRE (1) can bounce off his excellent placing in the $20 million The Everest to secure an important maiden Group 1 victory.

“Brilliant three-year-old that has been terrific against older horses at his last two runs. No reason he can’t bounce back in his own age group,” Brad writes in his preview to today’s Flemington card.

SUGGESTED BET: Growing Empire to win.

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2.45pm: Rosehill Race 5 – Lloyd peach wins Four Pillars

Zac Lloyd showed yet again why many consider him the next big superstar jockey, winning the $500,000 Four Pillars Midway (1500m) with a brilliant rails-hugging ride aboard Kingston Charm ($15).

After settling near the tail of the field, Lloyd saved ground along the inside, waiting until the 300m before pushing the John Thompson-trained mare through a needle-eye opening.

She responded with a brilliant finishing burst, overhauling Piraeus ($8.50) and Rolling Magic ($12) for an electric victory.

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2.30pm: Flemington Race 4 – Kah’s emotional win

“I definitely think we had some help, it doesn’t normally happen.”

Jockey Jamie Kah pointed to the heavens as she secured what moments earlier seemed an unlikely Group 2 Damien Oliver (1400m) victory at Flemington aboard Another Wil – the horse owned by her close friend, the late Col McKenna.

As trainer Ciaron Maher fought back tears in the mounting yard, Kah said the victory “meant everything” to not only her but the entire Maher racing team.

She said she spoke to McKenna’s wife Janice ahead of today’s race, with Janice telling her to “not be a sook”.

“She (Janice) is tougher than me,” Kah said.

“Today I just wanted to make Col proud. We got the win in the end. He (Another Wil) honestly didn’t feel like he was travelling that well but when we found that gap, something picked us up and carried us home.”

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2.20pm: Shayne O’Cass HOT TIP – Rosehill Race 5 (2.40pm)

Shayne O’Cass has a terrific value bet for punters in the Four Pillars Midway (1500m) at Rosehill at 2.40pm, putting $23 chance FUGITIVA (13) on top in the $500,000 feature.

“I was with Fugitiva (before the barrier draw) and she drew 8, comes into 7, which is the dream scenario for a very reliable and in-form mare,” O’Cass writes.

SUGGESTED BET: Fugitiva each-way.

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2.05pm: Rosehill Race 4 – Fox too feisty

The Michael Freedman-trained Spanish Fox ($5) notched his fifth successive victory at Rosehill today .. and his Kia Benchmark 78 (1300m) win may have been the toughest of the lot.

After leading into the straight, Spanish Fox was clearly headed by Ravenclaw ($5.50) and had to fight back tenaciously before he was challenged late by the fast-finishing Iron Man ($2.50 favourite).

But under vigorous riding from talented apprentice Zac Wadick, Spanish Fox found plenty, the victory taking his career prizemoney past the $200,000 mark.

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1.55pm: Ray Thomas HOT TIP – Flemington Race 5 (3pm)

Fresh off his Rosehill best bet saluting, Ray Thomas is hoping his Flemington best bet POWERS OF OPAL (5) can do the same in the Group 2 Wakeful Stakes (2000m) in just over an hour’s time.

“Powers Of Opal has shown considerable staying potential and broke her maiden at her sixth attempt when she bolted in by nearly six lengths against older horses at Hawkesbury,” Ray writes in his The Last Say column, published every Saturday after 8am.

“Her sectionals were very impressive as she sprinted home in 33.47s for her final 600m without being pushed out. James McDonald went to the provincial meeting for just the one ride that day on Powers Of Opal and he stays on the filly in the Wakeful Stakes. The big Flemington track and 2000m will suit her.”

SUGGESTED BET: Powers Of Opal to win.

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1.45pm: Flemington Race 3 – Begg’s boilover

The Grahame Begg-trained Maharba ($21) was friendless in betting but that didn’t stop him causing a major upset in the Group 3 Rising Fast Stakes (1200m) down the Flemington straight.

From an inside gate, jockey Jordan Childs found cover on the Pride Of Dubai gelding as the runners gravitated to the centre of the track.

Maharba put the writing on the wall as he surged to the lead inside the 300m, fighting hard to hold off an unlucky Rey Magnerio ($4.80), who was held up momentarily as he made his run, with $13 chance Charm Stone also finishing well for third.

Many punters lamented the photo finish but Begg wasn’t one of them, saying Maharba’s win should boost the confidence of those that had backed Bellatrix Star to win the Coolmore Stud Stakes.

Bellatrix Star comfortably defeated Maharba when the pair met in the Group 2 Schillaci Stakes at Caulfield.

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1.35pm: Kah quizzed over Vanity ride

Stewards have questioned star jockey Jamie Kah about interference early in The Vanity.

Kah (Kuroyanagi) and fellow rider Daniel Stackhouse(I Am Velvet) gave evidence about an incident at the 1100m of the three-year-old fillies’ contest.

Both horses finish out of the placings, with Kuroyanagi tailing off last and I Am Velvet a 4.77-length 10th.

Stewards adjourned their inquiry until later in the day with a careless riding charge a possibility.

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1.25pm: Rosehill Race 3 – State Of America’s triple treat

Well done to our Sydney racing editor Ray Thomas, who today made the David Payne-trained STATE OF AMERICA ($4.40) his best bet of the day in his The Last Say column (published every Saturday morning after 8am).

As the rain began to fall, State Of America sat back in the second half of the field under jockey Zac Lloyd while Ambassadorial and Green Belt made the pace.

But as they went inside the 300m, Lloyd let go of the handbrake and the airborne gelding quickly put paid to his rivals.

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1.05pm: Flemington Race 2 – Zeitung stamps Thousand Guineas credentials

Trainer James Cummings admitted he was seriously thinking about a Group 1 Thousand Guineas start for Exceed And Excel filly Zeitung after her powerful victory in today’s Group 3 The Vanity (1400m) at Flemington.

Under star jockey Mark Zahra, who’ll pilot Coolmore Stud Stakes favourite Growing Empire later today, Zeitung ($6) responded to hands and heels riding to overhaul the Anthony and Sam Freedman-trained Matisse ($7), with Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott’s Dominetta ($12) in third.

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12.55pm: Gilbert Gardiner HOT TIP – Flemington Race 3 at 1.40pm

The Robbie Griffiths and Mathew de Kock stable went close to winning the Group 3 Rising Fast Stakes last year with Najem Suhail – and Gilbert Gardiner thinks they can make amends today with REY MAGNERIO (11).

“Rey Magnerio should be ready to peak third-up, has run super the past two starts. Held up at a crucial stage last start (behind Estriella at Caulfield) but once clear savaged the line to go down by the barest margin.,” Gil writes in today’s Four-Play + Quadzilla: $200 betting strategy column.

SUGGESTED BET: $50 to win on Rey Magnerio.

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12.47pm: ‘Elettric’ upset as well-backed runners toppled

The Richard and Will Freedman-trained Elettrica took her career earnings to within a whisker of the $400,000 mark with an authoritative victory in the TAB Benchmark 78 (1300m).

Forced to sit outside the lead under apprentice Molly Bourke, the six-year-old mare quickly put paid to the well-backed Asgarda ($2.90) as they turned for home, holding off $3.50 favourite Pippie Beach and $7 chance Allapercanto in the closing stages to score.

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12.32pm: Mitch Cohen HOT TIP – Rosehill Race 2

The best bet of the day for Racenet’s Mitch Cohen comes up in the second race at Rosehill, a Benchmark 78 for the fillies and mares.

He’s keen to launch into the Doug Gorrel-trained ASGARDA (No. 3), the Country Championships-winner who was ever so impressive when rattling home for fifth in Far Too Easy’s Kosciuszko on October 19.

SUGGESTED BET: Asgarda to win.

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12.25pm: Aeliana wins Carbine Club at Flemington

Chris Waller made it four Group 3 Carbine Club Stakes winners in the past decade as his talented filly Aeliana drew comparisons with his 2021 winner Fangirl in beating the boys.

It made for the perfect Derby Day start for Waller and James McDonald, as the daughter of Castelvecchio sailed away to a three-and-a-half length win en route to the Group 1 Thousand Guineas in a fortnight.

“It’s been a great race for us over the years, just learning about horses and giving them some confidence,” Waller said.

“I think we might have just touched on Fangirl … and what she did. She was an unearthed star and she’s gone through to being one of the best in Australia.”

Aeliana started $5.50 with Ladbrokes, beating home Another Prophet ($10), with Caulfield Guineas runner up Feroce ($2.40).

Waller said: “She’s beaten the boys, so she’ll go back and face the girls (in the Thousand Guineas). It’s a good process to try and get a horse up in the grade each time they race and she’s made that right step today.”

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12.15pm: Villasaurus wins Highway at Rosehill (for Duff)

If you missed reading Ray & Duff’s race-by-race preview to today’s Golden Eagle meeting at Rosehill, you missed out on the first winner of the day.

Ron Dufficy is a fan of the Donna Scott stable and was keen to back Villasaurus, who duly saluted in slashing style as a $9 chance.

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12pm: Daniel Sankey HOT TIP – Flemington Race 1

The Dominic Sutton-trained FEROCE (Flemington Race 1 No. 1) only has to produce a similar run to his slashing effort behind Private Life in the Group 1 Caulfield Guineas to get punters off to a hot start today.

It’s easy to make a case that Feroce should have won the Guineas – a race in which he finished in front of star colt Broadsiding (third in Via Sistina’s Cox Plate). He raced without room for much of the straight and when he got out in the final 200m, Feroce savaged the line under jockey Billy Egan.

From barrier five on the bigger Flemington track and in a small field, Feroce will have plenty of room to move today and can run over the top of them in the straight.

SUGGESTED BET: Feroce to win.

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11.25am: Vets rule out another Cup runner

Racing Victoria stewards have withdrawn Kiwi stayer Mahrajaan from Tuesday’s $7.75m Group 1 Melbourne Cup (3200m), acting on veterinarian advice.

Stewards said the seven-year-old, who won the Group 2 Auckland Cup over the Melbourne Cup distance in March, to be at heightened risk of injury based on the results of its CT scan.

The Shaune Ritchie and Colm Murray-trained gelding was a $101 chance in Ladbrokes’ Melbourne Cup market before its scratching. Group 1-winning jockey Declan Bates – the regular rider of Horse of the Year Pride Of Jenni – had been booked to ride Mahrajaan in the Cup.

It means the Chris Waller-trained Manzoice has provisionally moved into the field ahead of final acceptances at 4.30pm.

Other horses to be ruled out of the Cup because of their CT scan results are Aidan O’Brien’s UK star Jan Brueghel, the Trent Busuttin and Natalie Young-trained pair Brayden Star and Muramasa and the Sheila Laxon and John Symons-trained Mission Of Love.

Geelong Cup winner Onesmoothoperator was this morning give the all-clear to take his place after recovering from a cut to its right heel bulb.

MELBOURNE CUP 2024 – POSSIBLE FIELD
$7.75 million | 3200m | Tuesday, November 5
1 – VAUBAN (Trainer: Willie Mullins; Jockey: William Buick) 55.5kg
2 – BUCKAROO (Chris Waller; Joao Moreira) 54.5kg
3 – CIRCLE OF FIRE (Ciaron Maher, Mark Zahra) 54.5kg
4 – WARP SPEED (Noboru Takagi; Akira Sugawara) 54kg
5 – KOVALICA (Chris Waller, Damian Lane) 53.5kg
6 – SHARP ‘N’ SMART (Graeme & Deborah Rogerson, Michael Dee) 53.5kg
7 – JUST FINE (Gai Waterhouse & Adrian Bott; Jye McNeill) 53kg
8 – LAND LEGEND (Chris Waller; Zac Purton) 53kg
9 – ABSURDE (Willie Mullins; Kerrin McEvoy) 52.5kg
10 – ATHABASCAN (John O’Shea & Tom Charlton; Zac Lloyd) 52kg
11 – KNIGHT’S CHOICE (John Symons & Sheila Laxon; Robbie Dolan) 51.5kg
12 – OKITA SOUSHI (Ciaron Maher; Jamie Kah) 51kg
13 – ONESMOOTHOPERATOR (Brian Ellison; Craig Williams) 51kg
14 – ZARDOZI (James Cummings; Andrea Atzeni) 51kg
15 – SEA KING (Harry Eustace; Hollie Doyle) 50.5kg
16 – VALIANT KING (Chris Waller; Craig Newitt) 50.5kg
17 – INTERPRETATION (Ciaron Maher; Teo Nugent) 50kg
18 – FANCY MAN (Annabel Neasham & Rob Archibald; Ron Stewart) 50kg
19 – THE MAP (Dan Clarken & Oopy MacGillivray; Rachel King) 50kg
20 – MOSTLY CLOUDY (Trent Busuttin & Natalie Young; Karis Teetan) 50kg
21 – POSITIVITY (Andrew Forsman; Winona Costin) 50kg
22 – TRUST IN YOU (Bruce Wallce & Grant Cooksley; Mark Du Plessis) 50kg
23 – SAINT GEORGE (Ciaron Maher; TBC) 50kg
24 – MANZOICE (Chris Waller, TBC) 50kg
NEXT IN ORDER OF ENTRY
25 – KINESIOLOGY (Chris Waller, TBC) 50kg
26 – FRANCESCO GUARDI (Chris Waller, TBC) 52kg
27 – WALTHAM (Matthew Smith, TBC) 50kg

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10.30am: Hoop’s ominous Golden Eagle warning on UK raider

Jockey Cieren Fallon made an ominous assessment of English raider Lake Forest, declaring the William Haggas-trained galloper looks bigger and better than ever ahead of today’s $10 million Golden Eagle (1500m) at Rosehill Gardens.

Fallon, son of former English champion hoop Kieren Fallon, had just taken Lake Forest for a spin around Canterbury Park as he prepares to ride for Haggas in the Sydney’s lucrative four-year-old event.

“He feels great and I think he has grown,” Fallon declared.

“He looks much better out here than he has done back home.”

Read the full story by Mitch Cohenhere.

• Clinton Payne’s Golden Eagle tips, runner-by-runner form assessment

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10am: The race is on at Flemington …

… for the punters, at least, as they rush to secure a seat on Derby Day.

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9:35am: Melbourne Cup fancy cleared by vets

Geelong Cup winner Onesmoothoperator has been cleared by vets to run in the $7.75 million Group 1 Melbourne Cup (3200m).

Currently the $7 second favourite with Ladbrokes for Tuesday’s great race, Onesmoothoperator was presented to Racing Victoria vets yesterday with a cut to its right hind heel bulb and could not be passed suitable to race.

Further vet checks this morning saw the Brian Ellison-trained stayer, to be ridden on Tuesday by Craig Williams, passed fit to run.

Melbourne Cup final acceptances must be lodged by 4:30pm today. Here is how the field is shaping up.

MELBOURNE CUP 2024 – POSSIBLE FIELD
$7.75 million | 3200m | Tuesday, November 5
1 – VAUBAN (Trainer: Willie Mullins; Jockey: William Buick) 55.5kg
2 – BUCKAROO (Chris Waller; Joao Moreira) 54.5kg
3 – CIRCLE OF FIRE (Ciaron Maher, Mark Zahra) 54.5kg
4 – WARP SPEED (Noboru Takagi; Akira Sugawara) 54kg
5 – KOVALICA (Chris Waller, Damian Lane) 53.5kg
6 – SHARP ‘N’ SMART (Graeme & Deborah Rogerson, Michael Dee) 53.5kg
7 – JUST FINE (Gai Waterhouse & Adrian Bott; Jye McNeill) 53kg
8 – LAND LEGEND (Chris Waller; Zac Purton) 53kg
9 – ABSURDE (Willie Mullins; Kerrin McEvoy) 52.5kg
10 – ATHABASCAN (John O’Shea & Tom Charlton; Zac Lloyd) 52kg
11 – MAHRAJAAN (Shaune Ritchie & Colm Murray; Declan Bates) 52kg
12 – KNIGHT’S CHOICE (John Symons & Sheila Laxon; Robbie Dolan) 51.5kg
13 – OKITA SOUSHI (Ciaron Maher; Jamie Kah) 51kg
14 – ONESMOOTHOPERATOR (Brian Ellison; Craig Williams) 51kg
15 – ZARDOZI (James Cummings; Andrea Atzeni) 51kg
16 – SEA KING (Harry Eustace; Hollie Doyle) 50.5kg
17 – VALIANT KING (Chris Waller; Craig Newitt) 50.5kg
18 – INTERPRETATION (Ciaron Maher; Teo Nugent) 50kg
19 – FANCY MAN (Annabel Neasham & Rob Archibald; Ron Stewart) 50kg
20 – THE MAP (Dan Clarken & Oopy MacGillivray; Rachel King) 50kg
21 – MOSTLY CLOUDY (Trent Busuttin & Natalie Young; Karis Teetan) 50kg
22 – POSITIVITY (Andrew Forsman; Winona Costin) 50kg
23 – TRUST IN YOU (Bruce Wallce & Grant Cooksley; Mark Du Plessis) 50kg
24 – SAINT GEORGE (Ciaron Maher; TBC) 50kg
NEXT IN ORDER OF ENTRY
25 – MANZOICE (Chris Waller, TBC) 50kg
26 – KINESIOLOGY (Chris Waller, TBC) 50kg
27 – FRANCESCO GUARDI (Chris Waller, TBC) 52kg
28 – WALTHAM (Matthew Smith, TBC) 50kg

■ ■ ■ ■ ■

9:30am: Derby roughie backed to win more than $300,000

One punter stands to land a substantial windfall if a roughie can cause a boilover in the Victoria Derby at Flemington on Saturday.

The Julian Sandhu-trained Oxford Blue, who fought hard for third behind Derby rival Saint Emilion in the Listed Geelong Classic (2200m) on October 23, has been the subject of a significant wager ahead of the three-year-old classic.

TAB has reported a bet of $5000 each-way on the son of 2013 Melbourne Cup winner Fiorente at odds of $51 and $13.50.

Meanwhile, another punter has placed a bet of $10,000 each-way on the Mick Price and Michael Kent Jnr-trained First Settler in the Coolmore Stud Stakes (1200m).

Read the full story at Racenet.

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9:05am: Expert tips for Derby Day, Golden Eagle Day and more

Hoping to back a winner today? The Racenet team has you covered with a suite of specials right around Australia.

Become a Racenet iQ member and get access to Racenet’s exclusive Pro Tips service, which features the best bets DAILY from Australia’s top form analysts. It’s your easiest way to punt like a pro in this year’s Spring Carnival! Subscribe here.

Victorian form expert Mark Guest has done a deep dive into the Derby Day fields at Flemington – get his race-by-race tips and analysis, plus his quaddie selections.

It’s also shaping up as a terrific day in Sydney, where Japanese raider Ascoli Piceno has been well-backed to win the $10 million Golden Eagle. Professional punter James Molony has you covered with his race-by-race tips and analysis for Rosehill Gardens.

Graeme Carey has tips and analysis for Eagle Farm, Heath Pope and Aaron Mills are both keen on $31 shots at Morphettville and Ascot and Laurie Sainsbury has a $61 roughie that he thinks is worth an each-way ticket.

■ ■ ■ ■ ■

8:50am: Broadcast restrictions strike Racing.com, Foxtel, Kayo

Broadcast contract restrictions mean live racing will not be aired as normal on Foxtel or Kayo for the four days of the Melbourne Cup carnival.

In a post on X (formerly Twitter) this morning, Racing.com revealed it would not be able to provide its usual race highlights and other content on its website, nor air live racing on its channel on Foxtel or Kayo.

“Our offering will return to normal post Champions Day,” the post said.

The Victorian Racing Club announced in February that it had entered into an agreement with Tabcorp and Nine Entertainment which would see the Melbourne Cup Carnival broadcast on SKY platforms and the TAB app, with Tabcorp owning the right to on-sell the coverage to wagering providers.

■ ■ ■ ■ ■

8:35am: Jamie Kah exclusive: ‘I’m hard on myself’

Jockey Jamie Kah shows six-year-old Elanore Bourchier the Melbourne Cup trophy at the Nathalia Ag Show last month. Picture: Nicole Cleary
Jockey Jamie Kah shows six-year-old Elanore Bourchier the Melbourne Cup trophy at the Nathalia Ag Show last month. Picture: Nicole Cleary

As a proud “Swiftie”, star jockey Jamie Kah would certainly know the lyrics to the singer’s hit Shake It Off but the song could easily double as her soundtrack for the Melbourne Cup carnival.

Kah, who spoke exclusively to Racenet’s Gilbert Gardiner this week, is likely to compete in about 24 of the 37 races in Cup Week – the Olympics for horse racing in Australia.

Winning jockeys – the minority – get about 15 minutes to soak up atmosphere on the way back to the mounting yard, celebrate with trainers and owners and complete media rounds. The rest cannot dwell on defeat, but rather decompress, suit up and go again.

And Kah admits that staying positive is often her toughest battle.

Read the full story here.

Originally published as 2024 Melbourne Cup final field, barriers: Favourite eases after horror draw

Read related topics:Melbourne

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Original URL: https://www.news.com.au/sport/superracing/2024-melbourne-cup-final-field-barriers-favourite-eases-after-horror-draw/news-story/763461301d9f1cf5a8bf59f3f767ee78