Melbourne Cup 2019 live coverage, results: Vow and Declare wins from Prince of Arran, Il Paradiso
Vow and Declare won the $8m turf classic, but drama followed with a jockey banned and placings upended.
- Vow and Declare wins
- Protest relegates Master of Reality
- Trainer praises brilliant ride
- Where your horse finished
- What the jockeys said
Welcome to coverage of Melbourne Cup Day 2019. Vow and Declare has won the $7.75m classic in a thrilling finish. Master of Reality was second across the line but a protest relegated it to 4th. Prince of Arran was elevated to 2nd, and Il Paradiso to 3rd.
John Stensholt 10.44pm: How a bunch of blokes delivered an Aussie Cup
This is not a story of princes or sheiks, or Irish raiders or Japanese stayers. It’s the story of how a bunch of ordinary Aussies won racing’s greatest prize with a horse trained in Horsham, Victoria.
Read the full story of how it happened here.
This is not a story of princes or sheiks, or Irish raiders or Japanese stayers. It’s the story of how a bunch of ordinary Aussies won racing’s greatest prize with a horse trained in Horsham, Victoria.
8.47pm: Wheels come off
After the race was run, the heels came off today at the Melbourne Cup.
Let’s take a look at what the punters got up to at Flemington.
Mark Schliebs 8.29pm: Betting tumbles
Melbourne Cup betting has taken a tumble this year, with wagering giant TAB recording a 5.9 per cent drop in turnover across the day and Racing Victoria suspecting that Tuesday’s Australian-bred winner may have impacted on profit margins.
One punter, however, won nearly $800,000 off a single bet after picking the first four through Sportsbet.
Initially, it looked as if the $10 bet would not pay out but a protest over second place that was upheld saw the punter take $793,842.
7.34pm: Cup attendance declines
The number of people attending the Melbourne Cup has dipped again, for the fourth year in a row.
There were 81,408 racegoers at Flemington Racecourse on Tuesday to watch the Australian-bred, trained, ridden and owned Vow And Declare win the Cup.
That was down slightly from last year’s rain-affected number of 83,471, with both years marking the lowest attendance since 1995.
Debbie Schipp 6pm: Dettori banned
Frankie Dettori has copped a nine-meeting careless riding suspension after a bumping duel and upheld protest saw placings upended in the Melbourne Cup.
The Italian jockey rode Master Of Reality to second, but was relegated to fourth after stewards lodged a protest on behalf of fourth-placed Il Paradiso.
Racing Victoria officials launched the inquiry – not the jockeys or trainers – and determined that Dettori had shifted Master Of Reality and impeded the run of Il Paradiso at the finish of the race.
Dettori pleaded guilty to careless riding, and his suspension starts tonight. Dettori reportedly refused to speak to media after the suspension was handed down.
Dettori had earlier told media that “I feel like I could cry” in the wake of the protest being upheld.
The international jockey has had a difficult history with the Cup - winless after 17 starts. Four years ago, he was suspended for a month and fined $20,000 for causing interference aboard Max Dynamite in the race.
Rachel Baxendale 5.50pm: Travel chaos
A technical glitch with Uber is causing chaos for punters trying to leave Flemington, with an extremely long queue for taxis as a result.
Trains and trams are still running as normal.
Rachel Baxendale 5.45pm: The race washup
Victoria Police say they have arrested six people at the Melbourne Cup today, including four people for being drunk, one for drug possession and one on an outstanding warrant.=
“Police and AFP will also investigate a drone which was seized due to unauthorised entry into airspace,” a police spokeswoman said.
Technical issues have meant that Uber is currently unable to connect drivers and riders within #Flemington Racecourse. Uber zones are currently closed whilst they work on a solution. @Metrotrains are running services in 4 min intervals and is the best way to leave the race track.
— Victoria Racing Club (@FlemingtonVRC) November 5, 2019
5.30pm: What the jockeys said
Comments from the Melbourne Cup jockeys:
Craig Williams (Vow And Declare) 1st: “It was a privilege to ride him today. Look at him, he knows he’s won. I’m so grateful to be given the opportunity. He just gave me a beautiful ride. (Trainer) Danny O’Brien and the owners gave me no instructions. He just said ‘trust the horse’.”
Michael Walker (Prince Of Arran) 2nd: “Charlie and the team have done a great job. I love the horse and I just wanted to win it, you know. I feel like I’ve let him down.”
Wayne Lordan (Il Paradiso) 3rd: “He could’ve done with the tempo a bit quicker. We didn’t get an ideal position but he ran well.”
Frankie Dettori (Master Of Reality) 4th: “I want to cry.”
Jordan Childs (Surprise Baby) 5th: “He ran super. I just had nothing to take me into the race from the 800 (metres) but he’ll be back bigger and better next year.”
Damian Lane (Mer De Glace) 6th: “He was massive. He wasn’t entitled to finish off like he did after the slow tempo. Finished well late.”
Kerrin McEvoy (Finche) 7th: “He ran great. The pace wasn’t that strong. Would’ve liked them to go a bit quicker. But we presented at the top of the lane and I thought he was a real chance there at the 300 (metres). He then just levelled out the last little bit. A brave run.” William Buick (Cross Counter) 8th: “He ran a huge race ... just slowly away.”
Brett Prebble (Steel Prince) 9th: “He ran super but they didn’t go a gallop. He was in a nice position but he wouldn’t switch the chewy off and it just took its toll late.”
Ryan Moore (Magic Wand) 10th: “She had no luck. Got an early bump so we were back further than we wanted and they went too slow up front.”
Hugh Bowman (Twilight Payment) 11th: “He had a really smooth run in transit. He just didn’t have the sprint required to win a Melbourne Cup.”
James Winks (Sound) 12th: “Tempo was ridiculous so he’s run really well.”
Joao Moreira (Constantinople) 13th: “Disappointing, yes. He was going to have a super run.”
Ben Melham (Mirage Dancer) 14th: “He ran well. Probably didn’t quite see out the last part of the race.”
Seamie Heffernan (Hunting Horn) 15th: “I needed to get cover and I couldn’t. The pace was too slow.”
Jamie Spencer (Raymond Tusk) 16th: “Beautiful position but the race was too slow.”
Tim Clark (The Chosen One) 17th: “He went all right. From that draw I had to get a long way back and the pace was no good for him. But he stayed on well.”
James McDonald (Latrobe) 18th: “Just got back in a slowly run race. Hard to get into it.”
Mark Zahra (Southern France) 19th: “Had a tough run ... probably didn’t stay.”
Tommy Berry (Youngstar) 20th: “Speed of the race didn’t help her.”
Luke Nolen (Neufbosc) 21st: “They went too steady for me.”
John Allen (Downdraft) 22nd: “Slowly run race mightn’t have suited him. Only I didn’t think that he ran out the trip.”
Damien Oliver (Mustajeer) 23rd: “They just went ridiculously slow and it didn’t suit my horse. Probably didn’t get a chance to run to his best.”
Dwayne Dunn (Rostropovich) 24th: “He hasn’t pulled up too well, he’s obviously sustained an injury somewhere in the run.”
— AAP
5.20pm: The get-out stakes
There is absolutely NOTHING in it...but Akari has pipped Betcha Flying at the post to win the final race of #MelbourneCup day! pic.twitter.com/dDrZeV2JI3
— 10 Sport (@10SportAU) November 5, 2019
10-THE HONG KONG JOCKEY CLUB STKS 1400m: 11.00 AKARI (Jadeskye (Mgr: D W Flower) & Werrett Bloodstock Pty Ltd, Mgr: N R JWerrett’s b f 3y Snitzel - Asterix (JPN). Trainer: Brad Widdup) 57 (J B Mc Donald) 1, 4.60 fav BETCHA FLYING 55 (J Bowman)2, 4.80 XILONG 56 (L Currie) 3. Then followed: 10.00 It’s Kind Of Magic 55 (H Coffey) 7.00 Pretty Brazen 56 (M J Dee) 61.00Debt’n’deficit 55 (Damien Thornton) 41.00 Excused 55 (Craig Williams) 41.00 Wild Vixen 55 (D Yendall) 5.50 California Salto55 (Tommy Berry) 61.00 Flandersrain 55 (Ms L J Meech) 31.00 Splendoronthegrass 55 (B Prebble) 21.00 Ready Set Sail 58 (D Dunn)31.00 Mayaaseh 55 (K Mc Evoy) 26.00 Night Express 55 (Ben Allen) 61.00 Deserved 55 (D Oliver) last. Scr: Done By Me, Excelida,Sophia’s Choice, Charleise, Affair To Remember. Nse, nk. Time: 1:23.93. (Last 600m 34.81).
5pm: Tactical Advantage wins Race 9
Another #MelbCupCarnival win for Damien Oliver as Tactical Advantage runs to victory in the MSS Security Sprint #MelbourneCup pic.twitter.com/GVtsOSYxLx
— 10 Sport (@10SportAU) November 5, 2019
9-MSS SECURITY SPRINT 1200m: 7.50 TACTICAL ADVANTAGE (Australian Bloodstock (Mgr: J Lovett, L Murrell), S Baker, R Grofos,M Hughes, D Clifford, D Forward, S Novak, R Conkey, A Smith, B Paterson, J Gabbiadini, S Clark, D Lewis, Ocd Racing (Mgr:R Minney, M Cullen), Boys Club (Mgr: D Wolinski), All In 3 (Mgr: S Coutts) & Shire Racing, Mgr: J O’Sullivan’s br g 6y BelEsprit - Above Perfection. Trainer: K A Lees) 58 (D Oliver) 1, 26.00 HOLBIEN 54 (Lachlan King) 2, 11.00 MILWAUKEE 56 (L Currie)3. Then followed: 3.30 fav Parsifal 55 (Damian Lane) 31.00 Lagerfeld 54 (Ms L J Meech) 9.50 Smart Coupe 54 (Craig Williams)11.00 Intuition 55 (J B Mc Donald) 13.00 Runson 54.5 (S Baster) 14.00 More Than Exceed 54 (Kayla Crowther) 31.00 Crown Fontein54 (Sairyn Fawke) 5.50 Royal Symphony 58 (D Dunn) last. Scr: Haunted, Torgersen. 1-1/2 len, 1-1/4 len. Time: 1:09.91. (Last600m 34.46).
Brendan Cormick 4.50pm: Last-placed finisher injured
Rostropovich, who finished last, more than 40-lengths from the winner, was taken to the University of Melbourne equine clinic to be treated for a suspected fractured pelvis. “He couldn’t weight bear,” trainer David Hayes said. “But I think with a bit of painkillers, he’s relieved. It’s a sad story, anyway.”
Hear from all of the beaten jockeys from the #MelbourneCup in a whirlwind post-race wash-up...and some were NOT happy with the race pace pic.twitter.com/oG2lrR7z21
— 10 Sport (@10SportAU) November 5, 2019
Brendan Cormick 4.40pm: Local hope wins a thriller
Vow and Declare has defied the international challenge to win the $8 million Melbourne Cup in one of the most-thrilling finishes to the great race for a decade.
Trainer Danny O’Brien, the boy from country Victoria who had a stint as a in restrapper with the late Bart Cummings, stood in the mounting yard with his teary wife Nina and children hugging.
Caught up in a hotly disputed cobalt inquiry that threatened to sully his record, ruin his business and send him broke a couple of years ago, O’Brien stood tall as he achieved the pinnacle.
Craig Williams, who was booked to ride Dunaden in 2011 only to lose the ride on a careless riding suspension received days out from the Cup, completed the grand slam. He had two Caulfield Cups and two Cox Plates, even a Golden Slipper, but until now had chased a Melbourne Cup victory.
The drama wasn’t over when they flashed past the winning post. The result had to be sorted in the stewards’ room - with an objection lodged by stewards no less.
In a tense finish, Vow and Declare was locked in a tussle with Master of Reality with Prince of Arran wider out. However, Master of Reality, ridden by Frankie Dettori, shifted in and obstructed Il Paradiso.
Il Paradiso, who missed the start by several lengths, was crunched between the winner and Master of Reality, second past the post. Fourth home, Il Paradiso could be considered a certainty beaten.
The parties adjourned to the protest hearing but were reluctant to dispute the placings. Master of Reality, is owned by Lloyd and Nick Williams, friends and clients of Coolmore - whose principals own Il Paradiso.
Stewards upheld their objection resulting in placings being altered to Vow and Declare first, Prince of Arran second, Il Paradiso third and Master Of Reality relegated to fourth behind the horse it interfered with.
Ot was the first protest in the Cup since 1991 when runner-up Shiva’s Revenge protested unsuccessfully against the winner Let’s Elope.
Rachel Baxendale 4.20pm: ‘Tell Bill the PM backed a winner’
Deputy PM Michael McCormack couldn’t help taking a dig at the former Labor leader. Read more here
Brendan Cormick 4.15pm: Tips, Race 9 Mss Security Sprint (1200m, 4.40pm)
All but retired, after two years Royal Symphony returns to racing for the Hawkes stable, who are extremely bullish about the chances of the five-year-old whose last run saw him finish fourth to Winx in 2017.
BRENDAN CORMICK’S RACE 9 TIPS:
1 Royal Symphony
6 Parsifal
4 Milwaukee
4.10pm: Nash gets the cash in Race 8
That's THREE wins for Nash Rawiller on #MelbourneCup Day as Yulong Prince takes out the Furphy Plate! pic.twitter.com/sDMKHQR658
— 10 Sport (@10SportAU) November 5, 2019
8-FURPHY PLATE 1800m: 9.50 YULONG PRINCE (Yu Long Investments’s b h 5y Gimmethegreenlight - Congestion Charge (GB). Trainer:C J Waller) 58 (N Rawiller) 1, 7.00 LOOKS LIKE ELVIS 55 (Craig Williams) 2, 4.60 SO YOU WIN 55.5 (J Bowman) 3. Then followed:8.00 A Shin Rook 54 (Tommy Berry) 13.00 Plein Ciel 56.5 (J B Mc Donald) 16.00 Kiwia 57 (Damian Lane) 3.50 fav Junipal 54 (JohnAllen) 71.00 Red Alto 54 (L Nolen) 26.00 Super Titus 55.5 (J Moreira) 21.00 Moss ‘n’ Dale 58 (Jack Martin) 51.00 Runaway 57(S Baster) 21.00 Second Bullet 55 (D Oliver) last. Scr: Cascadian, Kaspersky, Kaonic, Pushin’ Shapes, Dealmaker. Lg hd, nse.Time: 1:50.98. (Last 600m 35.22).
4pm: Trainer lauds winning jockey
Trainer Danny O’Brien, who gave Vow and Declare a light spring campaign of just two runs before Tuesday, has paid tribute to Melbourne Cup-winning jockey Craig Williams.
“An amazingly special thing to happen,” O’Brien said. “I feel incredibly blessed to have a horse good enough to be in it and then for him to be ridden so beautifully by Craig.
“He rolled the dice like he does, he’s an outstanding jockey.”
Brendan Cormick 3.50pm: Tips, Furphy Plate (1800m, 4pm)
Moss ‘N” Dale-1 has a great second-up record and ran a satisfactory race first-up at Moonee Valley. Looks a target race this campaign and the odds are appealing. 17-Junipal has come a long way this campaign and will be fighting out he finish. 8-Plein Ciel is close to showing his best.
BRENDAN CORMICK’S RACE 8 TIPS:
1 Moss ‘N’ Dale
17 Junipal
8 Plein Ciel
SUGGESTED BET : No.1 Moss ‘N’ Dale win and place.
3.45pm: Protest upheld
The officials placings now are:
1. VOW AND DECLARE (Craig Williams)
2. Prince Of Arran (Michael Walker)
3. Il Paradiso (Wayne Lordan)
4. Master Of Reality
5th - Surprise Baby
6th - Mer de Glace
7th - Finche
8th - Cross Counter
9th - Steel Prince
10th - Magic Wand
11th - Twilight Payment
12th - Sound
13th - Constantinople
14th - Mirage Dance
15th - Hunting Horn
16th - Raymond Tusk
17th - The Chosen One
18th - Latrobe
19th - Southern France
20th - Youngstar
21st - Neufbosc
22nd - Downdraft
23rd - Mustajeer
24th - Rostropovich
The final strides. What a moment! #MelbourneCup pic.twitter.com/0JgppYxIC1
— 10 Sport (@10SportAU) November 5, 2019
Debbie Schipp 3.25pm: Where your horse finished
Couldn’t hear where your fancy finished amid the cheering? Don’t throw that ticket away just yet — we’ve got you covered. Read more here
7-LEXUS MELBOURNE CUP 3200m: 11.00 VOW AND DECLARE (G & Mrs S M Corrigan, P J Lanskey, Mrs H R Hueston, T C Lanskey, J P Lanskey,K T Goodman, W R Leitch, A F Lanskey, B T Lanskey, L J Lanskey, S W R Knipe & S A Livingstone’s ch g 4y Declaration Of War(USA) - Geblitzt. Trainer: D T O’Brien) 52 (Craig Williams) 1, 17.00 PRINCE OF ARRAN 54 (M J Walker) 2, 15.00 IL PARADISO 52.5 (W M Lordan) 3. Then followed: 26.00 Master Of Reality 55.5 (L Dettori) 12.00 Surprise Baby 53.5 (Jordan Childs) 9.50Mer De Glace 56 (Damian Lane) 8.50 fav Finche 54 (K Mc Evoy) 13.00 Cross Counter 57.5 (W Buick) 61.00 Steel Prince 52.5 (BPrebble) 26.00 Magic Wand 53.5 (Ryan Moore) 41.00 Twilight Payment 55 (J Bowman) 91.00 Sound 53.5 (J Winks) 9.50 Constantinople52.5 (J Moreira) 51.00 Mirage Dancer 55.5 (B Melham) 51.00 Hunting Horn 55 (J A Heffernan) 21.00 Raymond Tusk 54 (J P Spencer)31.00 The Chosen One 52 (Tim Clark) 21.00 Latrobe 55 (J B Mc Donald) 26.00 Southern France 55.5 (M Zahra) 31.00 Youngstar52 (Tommy Berry) 101.00 Neufbosc 53.5 (L Nolen) 21.00 Downdraft 53.5 (John Allen) 19.00 Mustajeer 55 (D Oliver) 41.00 Rostropovich55 (D Dunn) last. All started. Hd, nse. Time: 3:24.76. (Last 600m 34.75).
3.25pm: Protest in the minor placings
A protest has been lodged in relation to Il Paradiso (4th) against Master of Reality (2nd).
Has to be a protest 4th vs 2nd. Il Paradiso clearly should’ve won the race. #MelbourneCup https://t.co/EIbYHB90Ig
— Daniel Sankey (@Daniel_Sankey) November 5, 2019
Protest 4th vs 2nd
— Brendan Cormick (@the_sleeper65) November 5, 2019
3.10pm: Unofficial results
1. Vow and Declare
2. Master of Reality
3. Prince of Arran
4. Il Paradiso
3.05pm: Vow and Declare wins!
Vow and Declare has won Australia’s most famous race in a thrilling finish, edging out Master of Reality and Prince of Arran in an epic race.
It is the first Melbourne Cup win for veteran jockey Craig Williams, who described the victory as a dream come true.
Danny O’Brien is the successful trainer of the 4-year-old gelding.
“I was lucky enough to sit on Vow and Declare,” Williams said. “It was a privilege to ride him today. We had a difficult barrier draw but Danny didn’t tie him to any instructions and just said ‘trust the horse’.”
Brendan Cormick 2.45pm: The final word
Finche-11 might be a good thing in the Cup. The chatter emanating from trainer Chris Waller and heard uttered by Kerrin McEvoy in interviews gets stronger and more confident with every hour that has passed. The speed map looks set to favour the horses drawn down near the rail (single digit numbers). You have to take 19-Constantinople’s Caulfield Cup run at face value. He, arguably, should have won. 1-Cross Counter will race closer from a good draw than last year. From pole position, 3-Master Of Reality will be handy to the pace. He is backable at the odds.
BRENDAN CORMICK’S RACE 7 TIPS:
11 Finche
19 Constantinople
1 Cross Counter
3 Master of Reality
SUGGESTED BET: 11-Finche three units to win and two units the place.
Brendan Cormick 2.35pm: Latest bets
Not much movement in the betting, with Finche ($8), Constantinople ($9.50) and Mer De Glace ($9.50) just behind him, according to TAB fixed odds.
Here are some of the latest bets:
$9900 at $8 Finche;
$9000 at $23 Magic Wand;
$8000 at $15 Cross Counter;
$6000 at $34 Youngstar;
$5000 at $8 Finche.
Remy Varga 2.25pm: Protesters hit out
A small group of anti-racing protesters are picketing the Melbourne Cup outside Flemington Racecourse.
Dozens of protesters are holding pictures of dead horses emblazoned with “Is the party worth it?” and yelling Nup to the Cup at punters as they enter the racecourse.
The Coalition for the Protection of Racehorses have organised a ‘human horse race’, which will be run at the same time as official Melbourne Cup day races, including the main event at 3pm, at the nearby Kensington Reserve.
A Facebook page describes the event as “like a sports carnival but you’re an adult now.”
Metro Trains and Victoria Police have spent $100,000 to tighten security for the race and help people arrive there smoothly.
Meanwhile, Flemington Racecourse is overflowing with raceday revellers clutching beers and champagne.
Rachel Baxendale 2.15pm: Vow and Declare a favourite
The pollies’ favourite horse today appears to be Vow and Declare - backed by Prime Minister Scott Morrison, deputy Nationals leader Bridget McKenzie, Victorian Labor senator Kimberley Kitching, and, we now learn, former opposition leader Bill Shorten.
Rolling up to the races with wife Chloe resplendent in royal blue, Mr Shorten appeared relaxed, but admitted that after his May election loss he’s now “a little gun-shy about tipping”.
Told his favoured horse was also the PM’s favourite, Mr Shorten protested that he is “a real punter”, whipping out a piece of paper on which he’d chosen his cup picks as proof.
Along with Vow and Declare, Mr Shorten is also tipping Cross Counter, Mer De Glace and Prince of Arran.
Other politicians spotted in the Tabcorp marquee include Education Minister Dan Tehan, Victorian Consumer Affairs Minister Marlene Kairouz and state opposition treasury spokeswoman Louise Staley.
2.10pm: Finche ready to fly
Peter Tighe, part-owner of the Melbourne Cup favourite, says the stayer is primed for a big run in today’s feature race.
Finche will be ridden by Kerrin McEvoy who can equal a century-old riding record if he wins a fourth Melbourne Cup.
Victory would also give star trainer Chris Waller his first Cup triumph.
“He is a big steady horse and the big track suits him,” Tighe told Network 10 today. “I expect him to run us a big race today.
“Hopefully we’ll unleash him at the top of the straight and see what happens.”
2pm: Teleplay wins Race 6
Teleplay wins on #MelbourneCup day again and Nash Rawiller takes his second race of the day in the Jim Beam Stakes! pic.twitter.com/AzFITYJpZS
— 10 Sport (@10SportAU) November 5, 2019
6-JIM BEAM STAKES 1400m: 12.00 TELEPLAY (Dynamic Syndications Racing (Mgr: D W Watt), Mrs B J Zions, R Bau, T J Gore, N REvans, P J Pollard, Ms J Mariani, G Georgiou, W J Noonan, D T Warburton, S J Brereton, G B Medved, R A Elliott, C J R Racing(Mgr: C N Deeb), Matrix Racing (Mgr: M Crismale), S Najda, D W Watt & M A Wallace’s b m 5y Written Tycoon - Special Episode.Trainer: M Price & M Kent Jnr) 56 (N Rawiller) 1, 4.00 fav LA TIGERESA 55 (Jamie Kah) 2, 4.20 SWEET SCANDAL 55 (M J Walker)3. Then followed: 31.00 River Jewel 55 (Damian Lane) 7.50 Into The Abyss 55 (J B Mc Donald) 17.00 Kings Brook 55 (Jye McNeil)17.00 Gina’s Hope 55 (B Melham) 14.00 Dunbrody Power 55 (Craig Williams) 6.50 Bella Martini 55 (Tommy Berry) 101.00 Miss Belisa55 (Beau Mertens) 12.00 Victory Kingdom 55 (J Moreira) last. Scr: Jamaican Rain. Len, 1-1/2 len. Time: 1:24.35. (Last 600m34.86).
Glynis Traill-Nash 1.55pm: A bolter in the field
Rachel Baxendale 1.40pm: Nats in on the action
Party divisions may have been making headlines in recent months, but the federal Nationals are out in force at today’s Melbourne Cup.
Joining Deputy Prime Minister Michael McCormack in the Tapcorp marquee was his deputy Nationals leader, Agriculture and Sports Minister Bridget McKenzie, who declared she’s the “Minister for Thoroughbreds”.
Like Prime Minister Scott Morrison, Ms McKenzie is backing Vow and Declare in the big race, but she maintains she was behind the gelding before her boss got in on the action.
Amid tensions between her Victorian branch of the Nats and some MPs from up north, Ms McKenzie’s plus one for the day is Rockhampton-based Assistant Minister for Children and Families Michelle Landry, who said she was enjoying her first ever Melbourne Cup.
Also part of the Nats contingent are fellow Victorian and Minister for Veterans and Defence Personnel Darren Chester and his wife Julie.
Brendan Cormick 1.30pm: Tips, Race 6 Jim Beam Stakes (1400m, 1.55pm)
Hong Kong-based Brazilian jockey Joao Moreira has his last spin before the Cup on 9-Victory Kingdom, who wasn’t beaten all that far last start and can be competitive if she begins well. 4-Sweet Scandal has good form lines around Saturday’s winner Tofane. 7-Into The Abyss is a must for trifecta players.
BRENDAN CORMICK’S RACE 6 TIPS:
9 Victory Kingdom
4 Sweet Scandal
7 Into The Abyss
SUGGESTED BET: Don’t shoot your bank off on this race. Better betting options to come.
1.25pm: Garner wins Race 5
Dwayne Dunn kicks Garner clear for a sensational win, from Can’t Be Done and Hawker Hurricane. Garner took off with just over 200m to run and claimed a one-length win.
Dwayne Dunn continues his hot #MelbCupCarnival form as Garner wins Schweppervescence Plate! #MelbourneCup pic.twitter.com/9vn9WQFwPm
— 10 Sport (@10SportAU) November 5, 2019
5-SCHWEPPERVESCENCE PLATE 1000m: 3.80 fav GARNER (M D Sheehan, T A Hams, D J Hams, G C W Dubois, G J Fitzgerald, R C Mullan,B G Branford, I E Dahlitz, D G Bascomb, T M Seal & B M Lynch’s b g 3y Barbados - Jaalippy. Trainer: G V Richards) 57.5 (DDunn) 1, 5.50 CAN’T BE DONE 57.5 (J Mott) 2, 18.00 HAWKER HURRICANE 57.5 (Jordan Childs) 3. Then followed: 13.00 Varda 55(Damian Lane) 101.00 Little Rich Boy 57 (Sairyn Fawke) 18.00 Sizzlefly 55 (L Nolen) 151.00 Optimizzer 57 (Ms Michelle Payne)17.00 Espinola 57 (M J Walker) 6.00 Athiri 55.5 (M Zahra) 91.00 Valley Of Hearts 57 (D Yendall) 17.00 Hearty Lass 55.5 (JB Mc Donald) 21.00 Asateer 57 (J Bowman) 16.00 Flostar 55 (D Oliver) 12.00 Santorini Summer 57.5 (Craig Williams) 201.00 Sanbuck57 (W Egan) 31.00 McLaren 58.5 (K Mc Evoy) last. Scr: Dirty Work, Young Liam, Magic Pippa. Len, 1-3/4 len. Time: 0:58.27.(Last 600m 33.98).
1.20pm: Margin Call
For the billionaire who owns one of the country’s most famous pairs of socks, there could be only one Melbourne Cup tip. Read more here
Brendan Cormick 1.05pm: Tips, Race 5 Schweppervescence Plate (1000m 1.20pm)
Looking down the list to 15-Hearty Lass travelled over from Adelaide to run at Moonee Valley last month and found trouble. Prepared to forgive that failure and go on previous form. 5-Santorini Summer has only raced twice for a win and a second while 4-Garner continues to hold good form.
BRENDAN CORMICK’S RACE 5 TIPS:
15 Heart Lass
5 Santorini Summer
4 Garner
12.55pm: Shared Ambition wins Race 4
A comfortable margin in the end (one length) but the favourite Shared Ambition grinds out victory from Creedence and Big Blue. Jockey Nash Rawiller says: “He (Shared Ambition) pulled hard today; most of the race. His run petered out at the 100m mark but he was very impressive.”
Shared Ambition shows why the hype was justified and takes out The Macca's Run! #MelbourneCup pic.twitter.com/RyxMq6jDbi
— 10 Sport (@10SportAU) November 5, 2019
4-THE MACCA’S RUN (BM96) 2800m: 1.50 fav SHARED AMBITION (S Saric, B Sokolski, J Simmons, Ms S Fitzgerald, A Stephenson, ARogers, M Phillips, Mrs L Phillips, D Sergeant, D Ackery, Mrs K Ackery, P Webster, S Katz, S Filipek’s b g 4y Born To Sea (IRE) - Almansa (IRE). Trainer: C J Waller) 56.5 (N Rawiller) 1, 26.00 CREEDENCE 54 (Craig Williams) 2, 26.00 BIG BLUE 59.5(Ryan Moore) 3. Then followed: 11.00 Gayatri 54 (Tommy Berry) 26.00 Serenade The Stars 54 (D Yendall) 71.00 Etah James 54(Ms L J Meech) 18.00 Sin To Win 58.5 (L Nolen) 26.00 Franked 54 (J P Spencer) 17.00 Kentucky Diva 54 (D Dunn) 91.00 LatinBeat 54 (John Allen) 71.00 Kapour 54.5 (H Coffey) 151.00 Alienated 54 (Ms G Cartwright) 13.00 Exemplar 54 (M J Dee) last.Scr: Sirkos, Manning Road. 1-1/4 len, 3/4 len. Time: 2:57.48. (Last 600m 36.48).
John Stensholt 12.40pm: Hayes eyes drought-breaking win
Master trainer David Hayes has downplayed his best hope Constantinople’s drifting in the Melbourne Cup betting, saying he is “very confident” about winning for first time in 25 years.
Speaking in the Tabcorp marquee in the Birdcage at Flemington, Hayes said the drying track should suit Constantinople “perfectly”.
“His work has been excellent. [Suspended jockey] Glen Boss has been riding it and says it is an elite stayer, and to win a Cup you have to be an elite stayer.”
Hayes has two other hopes in the Cup, Rostropovich and Neufbosc. Of the former he said “Sneaky each way chance because it’s the best gate he’s ever drawn in Australia.”
Neufbosc, Hayes said with a laugh, would race last but given you win “$120,000 for 12th and we are going to run 10th.”
Hayes, competing in his last Cup before moving to Hong Kong, hosted 90 owners and connections at his Toorak mansion for a cocktail on Monday night, before rising at 4am to give his horses an “easy canter and then left them alone.”
When asked what other threats there were in the Cup, Hayes issued a surprise tip to watch out for Magic Wand.
“It’s a lightly weighted group 1 winner in Europe. That’s good enough for me and she will run the distance.”
12.30pm: Tips, Race 4 The Macca’s Run (2800m 12.45pm)
3-Shared Ambition is very short at around $1.45. This has been his target race and he goes into it having won three in a row. If there is a little question mark he hasn’t fired on a soft track. 2-Sin To Win loves this sort of going and can improve on recent form. 13-Kentucky Diva, related to Makybe Diva, has blinkers on for the first time to help concentration.
BRENDAN CORMICK’S RACE 4 TIPS:
2 Sin to Win
3 Shared Ambition
13 Kentucky Diva
SUGGESTED BET: No. 2 Sin To Win for a place.
12.15pm: Sure Knee wins Race 3
Kerrin McEvoy gets his day off to a great start by guiding Sure Knee to a commanding win, 2 and a half lengths over Aliferous and Extreme Pride in third. It’s a good sign for the man who will ride Finche in the big race.
“She has a great record here and she showed that then,” McEvoy says of Sure Knee. “I knew she had a full tank about the 600m mark, and she just put them away. The track is riding nicely and my horse in the Cup is going to enjoy it.”
Kerrin McEvoy trots in to win the TAB Trophy on Sure Knee! #MelbourneCup pic.twitter.com/LdS3PElZud
— 10 Sport (@10SportAU) November 5, 2019
3-TAB TROPHY 1700m: 5.00 SURE KNEE (Ingham Racing, Mgrs: Ms L J Ingham, J A Ingham, R C Ingham & Mrs D N Kepitis’s b m 4ySnitzel - Shawnee Girl. Trainer: C J Waller) 54 (K Mc Evoy) 1, 17.00 ALIFEROUS 55 (B Avdulla) 2, 8.00 EXTREME PRIDE 54 (CraigWilliams) 3. Then followed: 16.00 Sheezdashing 57 (Damian Lane) 91.00 Shrouded In Mist 54 (L Currie) 31.00 Aristocratic Miss54.5 (D Dunn) 4.20 fav One More Try 57 (D Oliver) 6.50 Seewhatshebrings 54 (J Moreira) 151.00 Camelle 54 (Beau Mertens) 51.00Etana 58 (John Allen) 101.00 Moor Gait 54 (D W Stackhouse) 8.00 Romani Girl 54 (Tommy Berry) 41.00 Nordic Symphony 54 (JyeMcNeil) 26.00 Maracaibo 54 (S Baster) 18.00 Temple Of Bel 54 (L Nolen) 201.00 Linguist 54 (Patrick Moloney) last. All started.2-3/4 len, lg nk. Time: 1:43.44. (Last 600m 35.28).
Glynis Traill-Nash 12pm: Star power
Paul Feig, the director of films such as Bridesmaids and the Ghostbusters remake, has made an appearance in the Birdcage:
rmick 11.50am: Tips, Race 3 TAB Trophy (1700m 12.10pm)
3-Sheezdashing hasn’t made winning a habit but her Group 1 placings make her the class runner here at good odds. 7-Sure Knee and 10-Seewhatshebrings are high up in the market.
BRENDAN CORMICK’S RACE 3 TIPS:
3 Sheezdashing
7 Sure Knee
10 Seewhatshebrings
SUGGESTED BET: No.3 Sheezdashing one unit to win and three units the place.
11.40am: Bravo Tango wins Race 2
A tight finish but Bravo Tango, with Billy Egan aboard, breaks clear in the final 100m on the outside of East Indiaman and William Thomas to snatch victory.
Bravo Tango storms home to take out the Grinder's Coffee Roasters Stakes! #MelbourneCup pic.twitter.com/Bak5MrO00r
— 10 Sport (@10SportAU) November 5, 2019
2-GRINDERS COFFEE ROASTERS -BM90 1400m: 8.00 BRAVO TANGO (McGrath Racing (Mgr: M O McGrath), M J Caporale, R J Harman, D BFewster, Mrs J M Fewster, Dr T S Whitehead, M Eight Fast Track Racing (Mgr: M Valkovic), Get Me A Permit (Mgr: A J Gray),L D B Racing (Mgr: S Lynch) & St Pats Punting, Mgr: A J Gray’s b g 5y Congrats (USA) - Pas De Deux (IRE). Trainer: MitchellFreedman) 56.5 (W Egan) 1, 7.00 EAST INDIAMAN 55 (L Currie) 2, 7.50 WILLIAM THOMAS 60.5 (D Oliver) 3. Then followed: 2.35fav Phaistos 54 (Craig Williams) 18.00 Reflectivity 54.5 (D Dunn) 15.00 Al Passem 57 (M Zahra) 21.00 Secret Vega 54 (Jye McNeil)10.00 Yeldarb 54 (D W Stackhouse) 26.00 Bad Wolf 55.5 (Zac Spain) 101.00 Fergus Magergus 54 (S Baster) last. All started.Sht nk, hd. Time: 1:23.78. (Last 600m 36.00).
Brendan Cormick 11.25am: Tips, Race 2 Grinders Coffee Roasters (1400m, 11.35am)
The winning chances stand out more noticeably in race 2. Damien Oliver partners 1-William Thomas for John Price. The Oliver and Price families hail from WA and it is generally a good pointer when they join forces. William Thomas was doing his best in the latter stages last time. The 1400m around the big track should suit. Looking at 3-Bravo Tango and 7-Phaistos as dangers.
BRENDAN CORMICK’S RACE 2 TIPS:
1 William Thomas
3 Bravo Tango
7 Phaistos
SUGGESTED BET: No.1 William Thomas one unit to win and three units the place
11.20am: Fashion forecast
So, while I am not a gambling woman, if I was I would put my money on pink and more specifically pink suits being the top trend at #MelbourneCup today.
— Glynis Traill-Nash (@GlynisTN) November 4, 2019
11am: Aryaaf wins the first
Jockey Luke Nolen gets the day started with a win aboard 2 ARYAAF, ahead of Muntaseera and Marchena. Aryaaf, running on the grandstand side of the track, shifted a few times but settled to power home by a length and a half. Trainer David Hayes is a relieved man. “She ran sideways, and in and out but thankfully straightened up.”
It's an absolute flyer for Aryaaf as they win the first race of #MelbourneCup Day in the Darley Ottawa Stakes! pic.twitter.com/GWfHsKBvgY
— 10 Sport (@10SportAU) November 4, 2019
1-DARLEY OTTAWA STAKES 1000m: 9.00 ARYAAF (Shadwell Stud Australasia Ltd, Mgr: G M Kelly’s b f 2y Epaulette - Bulbula. Trainer:D & B Hayes & T Dabernig) 56 (L Nolen) 1, 5.00 fav MUNTASEERA 56 (Ms L J Meech) 2, 8.00 MARCHENA 56 (M Zahra) 3. Then followed:16.00 La Girl 56 (J Moreira) 16.00 Unblushing 56 (B Rawiller) 9.50 Hard Rock Girl 56 (K Mc Evoy) 41.00 Sunflare 56 (Jye McNeil)9.00 Thala 56 (Damian Lane) 9.00 Amorosity 56 (Ben Allen) 19.00 Wild Cherry Road 56 (Craig Williams) 21.00 Write The Score56 (D Oliver) 81.00 Sly Cicada 56 (L Currie) 9.50 Cut It Out 56 (J Mott) 41.00 Sotirio 56 (Ms Michelle Payne) 41.00 Old KentRoad 56 (John Allen) last. Scr: Divine Caprice. 1-3/4 len, 2-3/4 len. Time: 0:58.53. (Last 600m 34.28).
10.40am: TIPS — Race 1, Darley Ottawa Stakes (1000m, 10.55am)
Tough race for the babies — the two-year-olds. 13 Thala’s mum liked a damp track and the recent jump-out suggests a fair it of ability. The stable has an opinion of 8 Muntaseera, while 2 Aryaaf needs to be respected. Plenty of chances in the opener.
BRENDAN CORMICK’S RACE 1 TIPS:
13 Thala
8 Muntaseera
2 Aryaaf
SUGGESTED BET:
• Thala each-way and take a quinella 8 Muntaseera and the field for insurance.
Brendan Cormick 10.30am: Where the money is going
The day is young but some punters are getting on early. Some of the Cup bets placed so far with TAB fixed odds include:
$10,000 at $9 Mer De Glace;
$8000 win / $7000 place at $26/$7.25 Master Of Reality;
$7000 at $8 Finche;
$3500 at $9.50 Constantinople;
$2500 at $101 Sound.
10am: Sun’s out, and so are the punters
Remy Varga 9.38am: Fashion bloggers hit Flemington
Racing fashion blogger Milano Imai, 31, caught the train for the first time this year from Flinders St after attending the Melbourne Cup for six years.
“This year we’re staying year staying in the city and the train is way easier than an Uber or a taxi,” she said.
“I’m never not catching the train anymore.”
Ms Imai started blogging her Melbourne Cup outfits after receiving requests for fashion advice from fellow race day fashionistas.
“I was entering in Fashions on the Field for about seven years and then after a while ladies kept asking me about my outfits so I started a blog.”
9.32am: Vote in our Melbourne Cup day poll
Courtney Walsh 9.20am: Business as usual
The Melbourne Cup is billed as the race that stops the nation but the day itself does not stop work as usual at Flemington.
Melbourne broadcaster Adam White, who works for RSN 927, was the track on a dawn shift and reported it was business as usual for stables leading into the big race.
There are major meetings still to come at Flemington on Thursday and Saturday this week.
All up, there are 40 thoroughbred race meetings occurring around the nation today as clubs celebrate the Melbourne Cup.
It's still a work morning in the middle of Flemington. Plenty of horses are going through their regular Tuesday morning paces despite the significance of the day. pic.twitter.com/zrKvn08s2X
— Adam White (@White_Adam) November 4, 2019
Queensland is the busiest state, with 14 race meetings in total ranging from Longreach to Townsville and all the way down to the Gold Coast.
The code on wheels — harness racing — also has meetings on but at least one club issued some timely advice for punters hoping to have a flutter on the Melbourne Cup.
Those heading to Cobram, which sits on the Murray River, for the trots are advised they had best bring cash as there are no EFTPOS facilities available.
Remy Varga 9.13am: Pre-race nerves
Thoroughbreds Akari and Sunflare from the stables of John Moloney are awaiting their race in the horse stalls.
Sunflare’s handler says she’s a little restless pre-race.
Akari, right, and sunflare, left, getting a bit of the pre-race jitters pic.twitter.com/gBI3VsfQB2
— Remy Varga (@RemyVarga) November 4, 2019
There’s no sign of the group one runners set to race in today’s Melbourne Cup yet, with the stalls of Mer De Glace and Il Paradaiso sitting empty.
Patrick Smith 9.10am: The day of the big lie
COMMENTARY
It is the dizziest time of the year, that last glass of bubbling hope can see you go from tippled to toppled. Rituals that have been 158 cups in the making demand jockey and galloper get back on the crystal even if it is only to topple back down.
An already bruised sport is falling from public interest and it can no longer presume its place in Australian culture will be or even is revered.
The most deleterious day in sport is also the most disingenuous. Because the Melbourne Cup is the day of the big lie. It is a tradition or curse more than a century old.
9.00am: Melbourne Cup day race schedule
Race 1: Darley Ottawa Stakes | Time: 10.55am | Distance: 1000m | Prizemoney: $200,000
Race 2: Grinders Coffee Roasters Trophy | Time: 11.35am | Distance: 1400m | Prizemoney: $125,000
Race 3: TAB Trophy | Time: 12.10am | Distance: 1700m | Prizemoney: $125,000
Race 4: The Macca’s Run | Time: 12.45pm | Distance: 2800m | Prizemoney: $135,000
Race 5: Schweppes Plate | Time: 1.20pm | Distance: 2800m | Prizemoney: $135,000
Race 6: Jim Beam Black Stakes | Time: 1.55pm | Distance: 3200m | Prizemoney: $200,000
Race 7: Melbourne Cup | Time: 3.00pm | Distance: 3200m | Prizemoney: $7,300,000
Race 8: Melbourne Cup Day Plate | Time: 4pm | Distance: 1800m | Prizemoney: $175,000
Race 9: MSS Security Sprint | Time: 4.40pm | Distance: 1200m | Prizemoney: $175,000
Race 10: Hong Kong Jockey Club Stakes | Time: 5.15pm | Distance: 1400m | Prizemoney: $175,000
Brendan Cormick 8.40am: My Melbourne Cup day selections
I’m backing Finche, Constantinople and Cross Counter in the main race, with Master Of Reality as the roughie. My best bet of the day is in the Melbourne Cup Day Plate, Moss ‘N’ Dale (win/place).
R1: 13-8-2
R2: 1-3-7
R3: 3-7-10
R4: 2-3-13
R5: 15-5-4
R6: 9-4-7
R7 (Melbourne Cup): 11-19-1-3
R8: 1-17-8
R9: 1-6-4
R10: 11-5-4
BEST: R8 #1 WIN/PLACE
Remy Varga 8.36am: Gates are open
Punters ran after gates opened at 8.30am, a crush of people thundering through the turnstiles like the thoroughbreds they will soon be watching.
Gates have opened! #MelbourneCup pic.twitter.com/oHFmRDn2IL
— Remy Varga (@RemyVarga) November 4, 2019
Remy Varga 8.29am: Gates to open shortly
Hundreds of keen punters are already queued up, with the gates at Flemington Racecourse set to open any minute now.
After a night of hail, the sun is shining on Flemington with Melbourne’s temperamental weather delivering a public holiday miracle.
Daniel Sankey 7.43am: Latest Melbourne Cup betting
Here are the current odds for the entire Melbourne Cup field, courtesy of the TAB’s fixed odds market.
The Chris Waller-trained 11 FINCHE became the new Melbourne Cup favourite after strong support at yesterday’s Call of the Card.
MELBOURNE CUP MARKET
Odds correct at 7.40am
$8.00 Finche
$8.50 Mer de Glace
$9.50 Constantinople
$12 Vow and Declare
$14 Surprise Baby, Il Paradiso
$15 Cross Counter
$18 Prince of Arran
$19 Mustajeer
$21 Downdraft, Magic Wand
$23 Latrobe, Raymond Tusk
$26 Master of Reality, Southern France
$34 Mirage Dancer, Youngstar
$41 Hunting Horn, Twilight Payment
$51 The Chosen One
$71 Steel Prince
$81 Rostropovich, Sound
$101 Neufbosc
Daniel Sankey 7.33am: No scratchings in Melbourne Cup
The official scratchings for Flemington have been posted and thankfully there are no changes to today’s Melbourne Cup field. If you’re betting in the other races today, the runners to cross out in your form guide are below.
After 12.2mm of rain in the past 24 hours and a total of 36.2mm in the past seven days, the Flemington track has been rated a Soft 6 this morning. But with the prospect of fine weather today, we’re expected to see an upgrade to a Soft 5 later today. The rail is out 3m the entire circuit.
Track conditions for @Lexus #MelbourneCup Day:
— Victoria Racing Club (@FlemingtonVRC) November 4, 2019
Soft 6
Going Stick - All: 9.5
Rail: 3m pic.twitter.com/aArzMOm5ec
FLEMINGTON SCRATCHINGS
Race 1: 4 Divine Caprice
Race 2: Clear
Race 3: Clear
Race 4: 11 Sirkos, 15 Manning Road
Race 5: 8 Dirty Work, 9 Young Liam, 19 Magic Pippa
Race 6: Clear
Race 7 (MELBOURNE CUP): Clear
Race 8: 3 Cascadian, 7 Kaspersky, 10 Kaonic, 13 Pushin’ Shapes, 16 Dealmaker
Race 9: 3 Haunted, 8 Torgersen
Race 10: 12 Excelida, 14 Sophia’s Choice
Daniel Sankey 7.20am: Will the cards fall Raymond Tusk’s way?
He’s named after the ruthless, politically-connected billionaire industrialist in Netflix’s hit series House of Cards — but the connections behind Melbourne Cup hope 13 RAYMOND TUSK couldn’t be further removed from those circles.
Part-owner Duncan Smith, a former local government officer from Yorkshire, has shares in 10 horses with syndicators Middleham Park Racing. Thankfully, one of those shares is in Raymond Tusk, a $23 chance rated by Francesca Cumani as the best roughie in the race.
Raymond Tusk has no less than 10 owners who have flown out for the #MelbourneCup @FlemingtonVRC on Tuesday, and @GHall27 caught up with one of them, Duncan Smith after the draw yesterday... pic.twitter.com/vI4njRpdOU
— Sky Racing (@SkyRacingAU) November 2, 2019
“I’ve always had a bit of a fascination with the race so to be here not just for the race but to be here as a part-owner, it’s just incredible. It’s surreal,” Smith told AAP this week.
A group of 24 people, including 10 of the 14 owners in the Raymond Tusk syndicate, have made the trip to Melbourne to watch the Cup. And as you can see in this tweet below, the connections are making the most of their time on the big stage in Melbourne.
"Number three, number three."
— World Horse Racing (@WHR) November 3, 2019
Draw a nice gate for the #MelbourneCup ✔ï¸
Head to @spendthriftpark ✔ï¸
Visit Raymond Tusk is his barn ✔ï¸
Team Raymond Tusk are enjoying their time in #Melbourne @MprUpdates @IREthoroughbred pic.twitter.com/sIMKWdYREA
Daniel Sankey 6.55am: Which celebs will be in the Birdcage?
The absence of the likes of Taylor Swift and Megan Gale won’t detract from the star factor inside the Birdcage at Flemington today.
The niece of the late Princess Diana, model Lady Kitty Spencer, will be the headline act in the Lexus marquee today. Other guests at Lexus include mining magnate Gina Rinehart and celebrity chef Neil Perry.
The Bumble marquee boasts international supermodel Gemma Ward and actress Olympia Vallance, as well as Jesinta Franklin, Nadia Bartel, Kris Smith and Tom Waterhouse.
Usain Bolt, the greatest sprinter of all time, will spend his time in the Mumm marquee along with Miss Universe Australia 2015 Monika Radulovic and Australian supermodel Rosie Tupper, while the Tabcorp marquee boasts a host of AFL identities including Max Gawn, Dion Prestia and Tayla Harris.
Daniel Sankey 6.30am: No rain on Melbourne Cup Day
A beautiful morning has dawned here in Melbourne, with blue skies overhead — and importantly, no rain forecast for the rest of the day. As the Bureau of Meteorology noted this morning, it seems even the rain has observed today’s public holiday in Melbourne.
Even the showers observing the public holiday in #Victoria (yes even in the areas that don't observe it!) 😎 A ridge of high pressure push showers to the coast by the morning then clearing. A windy week ahead, cold and showery end to week in the south. https://t.co/lGlyGiWuLy pic.twitter.com/QNFGlt9MXW
— Bureau of Meteorology, Victoria (@BOM_Vic) November 4, 2019
Mostly sunny weather with a maximum of 19 degrees is predicted for Melbourne today. The Flemington track is currently a Soft 6, but with sunshine to blaze down this morning and this afternoon, there’s every chance of an upgrade to at least a Soft 5 ahead of the 3pm AEDT start time for the Melbourne Cup.
Daniel Sankey 6am: Finche the new Cup favourite
With just hours before they jump in the 2019 Melbourne Cup (3pm AEDT), we have a new favourite.
Weight of punters’ money yesterday saw the Chris Waller-trained 11 FINCHE (Kerrin McEvoy) firm from $9.50 into an $8 outright favourite on the TAB’s fixed odds market.
The writing was on the wall at yesterday’s Call of the Card when the northern hemisphere-bred Frankel gelding was the subject of heavy interest, firming from $8.50 into $8 following a series of bets totalling $24,000 to win $180,000.
On the other hand, there was little support for the early favourites in Caulfield Cup winner 2 MER DE GLACE, who drifted from $8 to $8.50, and 19 CONSTANTINOPLE, now out to $9.50 after being as short as $8 last week.
A Finche victory would give Chris Waller his first Melbourne Cup success. He has won twice on soft ground, which is a big tick for today’s race, and comes into the Cup off the back of a strong performance in the Caulfield Cup when he raced wide throughout and was still only beaten 1.5-lengths into fifth (replay below).
The international raiders have started their assault on the spring carnival.
— 7HorseRacing 🎠(@7horseracing) October 19, 2019
Japanese Mer De Glace produced a superb staying performance to win the Caulfield Cup. pic.twitter.com/9EaX1n7PbH
Waller also has 2018 Queensland Oaks winner 24 YOUNGSTAR (Tommy Berry), a $34 chance, in today’s Melbourne Cup field.
5.50am: Expert tips for Melbourne Cup
FRANCESCA CUMANI (Channel 10)
8 MUSTAJEER
2 Mer De Glace
15 Magic Wand
Roughie: 13 Raymond Tusk
BRENDAN CORMICK (Turf editor)
11 FINCHE
19 Constantinople
1 Cross Counter
Roughie: 3 Master Of Reality
WALLY MASON (sports editor)
11 FINCHE
20 Il Paradiso
23 Vow And Declare
Roughie: 5 Southern France
COURTNEY WALSH (The Australian)
5 SOUTHERN FRANCE
8 Mustajeer
1 Cross Counter
Roughie: 6 Hunting Horn
WILL SWANTON (The Australian)
11 FINCHE
12 Prince Of Arran
2 Mer De Glace
Roughie: 8 Mustajeer
PETER MOODY (Channel 10)
11 FINCHE
23 Vow And Declare
1 Cross Counter
Roughie: 15 Magic Wand
PATRICK SMITH (The Australian)
11 FINCHE
1 Cross Counter
19 Constantinople
Roughie: 7 Latrobe
TONY ARROLD (Thoroughbreds editor)
23 VOW AND DECLARE
11 Finche
2 Mer De Glace
Roughie: 20 Il Paradiso
GLENN MUNSIE (TAB)
11 FINCHE
12 Prince Of Arran
23 Vow And Declare
Roughie: 18 Surprise Baby
5.45am: Lane, Japanese aim for history
A victory by 2 MER DE GLACE would cap a Japanese clean sweep of Melbourne’s major spring races — but it would also be a historic moment for Australian jockey Damian Lane.
The 25-year-old will become just the eighth jockey to claim Australian racing’s grand slam of the Golden Slipper (Kiamichi), Caulfield Cup (Mer de Glace), Cox Plate (Lys Gracieux) and Melbourne Cup (Mer de Glace) if successful.
Since Mer De Glace arrived in Australia he's added a Caulfield Cup to his resume... can he leave with a #MelbourneCup too?#メールドグラース #JRA #競馬 #騎手 pic.twitter.com/tzWr3GqXVJ
— Racing.com (@Racing) November 4, 2019
Of more significance, he will be the first to achieve it in a calendar year. “Just to compete in the grand slams is a great thrill,” Lane said. “To be able to have won three of them, it’s been an amazing year.”
Lane’s only concern with 2 MER DE GLACE is soft ground because the horse has never raced on a rain-affected surface.
Hear from @LaneDamian after winning the Caulfield Cup.
— 7HorseRacing 🎠(@7horseracing) October 19, 2019
Outstanding ride. pic.twitter.com/mbSCrcisHu
Craig Williams is also chasing the final piece of the grand slam jigsaw having claimed a Slipper, Cox Plate and two Caulfield Cups. He has missed out in 15 previous Melbourne Cup rides. Suspension cost him the winning ride on Dunaden in 2011 but in $12 chance 23 VOW AND DECLARE, he has an undeniable opportunity.
“Dunaden was my best chance but I was suspended and I’ve had nice horses before and since,” Williams said.
“But he’s a great chance and I’m looking forward to it.”
Craig talks about Vow And Declare, who has moved up the order of entry for the Lexus Melbourne Cup for trainer @DOBrienRacing pic.twitter.com/xmHbIJYdmK
— Craig Williams (@CWilliamsJockey) October 28, 2019
Cox Plate fourth placegetter 15 MAGIC WAND was the biggest betting firmer yesterday, from $26 into $19, despite having the outside barrier in 24.
She is also unproven at the distance and prefers dry ground but jockey Ryan Moore says she has the quality to win.
Daniel Sankey 5.30am: Ultimate Melbourne Cup form guide
Our Ultimate Melbourne Cup form guide has everything you need to pick a winner in today’s Melbourne Cup. With the field, form, expert tips and Francesca Cumani’s expert analysis, you’ll be on a winner when you read this treasure trove of racing resources. Check it out here.
Additional reporting: Courtney Walsh, Daniel Sankey
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