Melbourne Cup Day 2017: Live coverage, tips, form
A Melbourne man watching the races from the couch in his living room has emerged as one of today’s biggest winners after a $5 bet.
Lloyd Williams has quinellad the 2017 Melbourne Cup, with REKINDLING beating JOHANNES VERMEER. In a trifecta for overseas-trained horses, MAX DYNAMITE was third. Recap all the highlights in our Melbourne Cup Day live coverage.
Pia Akerman 6.15pm: Cup’s biggest winner
A Melbourne man watching the races from the couch in his living room has emerged as one of the biggest winners of the Melbourne Cup, scoring $1 million from a TAB betting promotion after spending just $5.
Dominic from Mill Park, in Melbourne’s northern suburbs, was last night imagining a new life for himself after picking up the massive prize.
THE MOMENT DOMINIC (Mill Park) WON $1,000,000 ON REKINDLING!!!
— TAB (@tabcomau) November 7, 2017
Winner of the TAB #MelbourneCup Millionaire Promotion.#TABWeLoveABet pic.twitter.com/YGpKTmaY54
He successfully picked Rekindling as the winner after he was drawn at random for the millionaire promotion from all of TAB’s account customers who bet in Flemington’s first four races yesterday.
Dominic was eligible for the prize after spending $5 on an each-way bet on Land of Plenty in race three, which came second.
“I was laying on the couch about to have a few bets when I got the call that I won the draw,” said Dominic, who was one of the few Melburnians at work yesterday morning.
“I was actually home alone so I had to call a few mates who rushed over to watch with me.
Dominic said he felt “numb” as he watched Rekindling battle Johannes Vermeer down the straight.
“It’s a surreal feeling and I’m still in shock. I chose Rekindling because I liked its form overseas and its draw, but I never could have imagined this,” said Dominic.
Simone Fox Koob 5.38pm: After the Cup
The sun is shining trackside in the general admission area at Flemington, where the heels are off and the drinks are still very much flowing.
The last race was at 5.20pm and the horses ran under sunny skies, rounding off a day of sporadic rain and chilly temperatures.
Tony Kelly came with his mate Ben from Sydney, and were celebrating several good bets they’d made on earlier races.
The keen racing fans had travelled down for the day, and had been enjoying themselves - but the pair held a controversial opinion they didn’t dare say too loudly in front of Melbourne locals.
“It’s been a fantastic day... But Everest in Sydney is better than this,” he said quietly. “It smashes this.”
Police officers and St John ambulance volunteers have been roaming the general area and have approached some of the more unruly members of the public sprawled on the grass.
Apart from protestors scaling a nearby crane to object to the government’s handling of the Manus Island refugee situation, police said behaviour had generally been good.
Bob Wheeler, a retired builder from Liverpool in NSW, brought his family and grandchildren — including 9-month-old Jack — to the Cup after they’d attended a wedding in Melbourne.
“You hear all about all the drunk people and people say it wil just be a bunch of idiots, and you think it won’t be like that,” said the 66-year-old. “But right now it pretty much is.”
He said the family would try to make the most of the rest of the sunny day, after struggles earlier this morning on public transport.
In the Birdcage, the music is blasting and people are continuing to visit the marquees. The venue closes at 6pm.
Daniel Sankey 5.28pm: Pedrena wins the last
A win in the last for Caulfield trainer Mick Price, with Mossman mare Pedrena (Michael Dee) holding off the fast-finishing Cool Passion (Luke Currie) and Swampland (Chris Symons) to collect the $120,000 first place cheque.
Stable representative Luke Wilkinson praised young jockey Michael Dee for a perfect ride, with the mare defying a betting drift to score.
“I thought Mick Dee rode her really well,” Wilkinson said.
“We'll leave it up to the boss (for her next start), we’ll see how she comes through the run but I think you’ll see bigger and better things from her in the next 12 months.”
Pedrena started at $8.50 on the TAB’s fixed odds markets.
What a gun mare she is! Pedrena takes out The Hong Kong Jockey Club Stakes. pic.twitter.com/whSE92snMt
— Racing.com (@Racing) November 7, 2017
Glynis Traill-Nash 5.15pm: The great sock debate
Socks or no socks at the #MelbourneCup2017? Ian Thorpe weighs in on the day’s big talking point. @GlynisTN pic.twitter.com/TV9le7jN3A
— Eric George (@ericpaulgeorge) November 7, 2017
Brendan Cormick 5.05pm: Stuck in the Swampland
We see the mares go around in Race 10 in the final event of the day, the $200,000 Group 3 Hong Kong Jockey Club Stakes over 1400m.
The Jason Coyle-trained White Moss (Jason Collett), down from Sydney, is the $3.90 favourite on the TAB’s fixed odds market ahead of the $5.50 chance Fuhryk (David Hayes/Craig Williams) and $7.50 hopes Swampland (Henry Dwyer, Chris Symons) and Pedrena (Mick Price/Michael Dee).
The Australian’s racing writer, Brendan Cormick, selects:
11 – SWAMPLAND
6 – MISS GUNPOWDER
5 – WHITE MOSS
3 – COOL PASSION
He writes:
“Swampland (11) has been the medium of solid support, halving her odds $20 into $9.50. Ran in a strong race last time but missed the start and blew her chance. Previous efforts have been first rate.
“Flemington should suit Miss Gunpowder (6) who has not been here but should relish the long run in. White Moss (5) is new to Melbourne but is flying in Sydney. Cool Passion (3) is in form, too.”
SUGGESTED BET: Swampland win/place.
4.58pm: Marmelo ‘raced flat’: trainer
The trainer of equal favourite Marmelo says the stayer ran flat and below expectations in the Melbourne Cup.
British trainer Hughie Morrison said his first thoughts were the five-year-old didn’t stay the 3200m of Tuesday’s race.
Sent out a heavily backed $7 equal favourite with last year’s Cup winner Almandin, who finished 12th, Marmelo was up riding the pace before weakening in the home straight to finish ninth.
“You would have to say on the form, he’s run flat,” Morrison said.
“In my book he was beaten too far out. We were beaten two furlongs out and that’s not him.”
Marmelo was heavily supported on the strength of his sixth placing in last month’s Caulfield Cup although his trainer was wary pre-race.
“He ran too well last time out,” Morrison said.
“He runs well fresh and I always err on the side of caution.”
Morrison said Marmelo was the right horse for the Melbourne Cup and said he would try his hardest to convince the owners to return for another shot next year. Today’s outing was only his 12th start.
“He’ll be a year older, he’s only run in 12 races,” Morrison said.
“He’s definitely the right horse for the race as he does stay. He looked like he didn’t stay but hopefully we’ll be back again next year.”
- AAP
"You'd have to say he ran a bit flat."
— Racing.com (@Racing) November 7, 2017
Hughie Morrison sums up Marmelo's performance in the #MelbourneCup. pic.twitter.com/LE4WqNJCT2
Daniel Sankey 4.52pm: Eden’s faith justified
Beneteau mare Ocean Embers stormed home down the outside rail to win the penultimate race on the Cup Day program, the MSS Security Plate (1200m), justifying the faith of her trainer, Cranbourne-based Shea Eden.
Ridden to perfection by Nikita Beriman, who waited on a run before switching across heels and dashing clear with 200m to go, Ocean Embers rebounded from a disappointing 5.7-length last in the Caulfield Sprint behind Snitty Kitty last start.
“She’s quality. Obviously we haven’t had a lot of luck this preparation but when you’ve got a mare of this quality, you never give up,” Eden said.
“I texted Nikita last night and said you’ll win tomorrow, that's how confident I was.”
Beriman said she was thrilled to ride a winner on Cup Day.
“I’m rapt to be a part of this team with Shea and his wife Miranda. We always have faith in this horse and her ability. Last time she got run off her feet at the 1000m and we really thought the 1200m would suit,” she said.
The David Hayes-trained Faatinah ran an honest second while the race favourite, I Thought So, was third.
Calanda was the first horse home down the inside rail, with the horses racing in two groups, with the outside rail clearly providing the better going.
Ocean Embers ignites @flemingtonvrc with a blistering performance in the MSS Security Sprint. pic.twitter.com/J8Qxh9Ed4D
— Racing.com (@Racing) November 7, 2017
9-MSS SECURITY SPRINT 1200m: 15.00 OCEAN EMBERS (D Donnelly, M C Sharkie, B M Clark, Ms S E Coglin, Miss C L Knight, C Jolly, Miss C M Wargent, M J Wilson, D M Wilson, S J O’Rourke, Vision Racing (Mgr: B Dries), Bert Racing (Mgr: L J Brown) & Balmoral Lodge, Mgr: Mrs K E Thomas’s b/br m 5y Beneteau - Burningwood (USA). Trainer: Shea Eden) 54 (Ms N Beriman) 1, 3.90 FAATINAH 57 (J Bowman) 2, 3.80 fav I THOUGHT SO 54 (Damian Lane) 3. Then followed: 6.50 Calanda 55 (K Mc Evoy) 26.00 Oberland 54 (Craig Williams) 151.00 Search Squad 54 (Jake Bayliss) 41.00 Quatronic 54.5 (Ms K O’Hara) 101.00 Glenrowan Prince 54 carr 54.5 (L Nolen) 21.00 Nancy 54 (G Schofield) 26.00 Casino Wizard 56 (N Callow) 21.00 Princess Of Queens 54 (M J Dee) 31.00 Sebring Sun 54 (D Yendall) 26.00 Kuro 58.5 (B Melham) 81.00 Tried And Tired 54 (Jye Mc Neil) 10.00 So You Too 54 (Z Purton) 101.00 Reata 54 carr 54.5 (L Currie) last. Scr: Derryn, Big Money, Crystal Dreamer, I’m Telling Ya. Len, nk. Time: 1:09.33. (Last 600m 34.47).
Glynis Traill-Nash 4.35pm: Taylor’s fashion standouts
Jet-setting Australian model Elyse Taylor talks about the fashion standouts at her first #MelbourneCup2017. @GlynisTN pic.twitter.com/1x4Vh9RMpu
— Eric George (@ericpaulgeorge) November 7, 2017
Brendan Cormick 4.30pm: RACE 9 – Day of atonement
And so we move to Race 9 on the program, the MSS Security Sprint, a Listed race down the Flemington straight over 1200m.
We have three runners vying for favouritism, with the David Pfieffer-trained I Thought So (Damien Lane) a $3.70 top pick on the TAB’s fixed odds market ahead of the David Hayes-trained Faatinah (Hugh Bowman, $4.80) and the Peter and Paul Snowden entry, Calanda (Kerrin McEvoy, $5.50).
The Australian’s racing writer, Brendan Cormick, tips:
6 – CALANDA
15 – I THOUGHT SO
3 – FAATINAH
12 – SO YOU TOO
He writes:
“Calanda (6) was a crying shame at Caulfield. Jumped well, snagged back and worked home stylishly. The Snowdens are keen to take the Ramornie Handicap winner to Perth for the Winterbottom Stakes in Perth. He’ll need to be showing up in this.
“I Thought So (15) can figure on the strength of an honest record of late in Sydney. Faatinah (3) mixes his form but on his day can be at the fat end of the payout. So You Too (12) is always thereabouts.”
SUGGESTED BET: Calanda to win.
4.26pm: How did the locals fare in the Cup?
Amid a surge of internationals, Big Duke was the first Australian-trained horse home in the Melbourne Cup.
The Irish-bred galloper finished fourth to be only one of two Australian-trained gallopers to finish in the top 10 and collect a prize money cheque.
Trainer Darren Weir, who won the 2015 Cup with Prince Of Penzance, said pre-race he was hoping for a top-10 finish with Big Duke who finished third in this year’s Sydney Cup.
“He’s run a great race,” Weir said.
“He’s usually so honest and to finish in the top five is a great result.”
Big Duke was one of three runners Weir saddled in the race. Humidor was the most fancied, sent out at $11 but never raised his backers hopes finishing 19th while Amelie’s Star ($21) finished 14th.
Weir said he would need to look at the replay to get a better indication of their performances.
“Humidor, he looked like he ran well below expectations while Amelie’s Star was caught wide and didn’t get in but I need to look at the replay again.”
The Chris Waller-trained Libran finished eighth to also collect a prize money cheque for Australia.
Samantha Hutchinson 4.18pm: Don’t step on his blue suede shoes
The Melbourne Cup might be over for another year, but the party is just getting started in the Birdcage at Flemington.
David Jones ambassador Jason Dundas is rocking a pair of blue suede shows, some chic suede Zegna loafers ... sockless, of course. But the rest of his outfit is sure to raise a couple of eyebrows.
“Yeah, you could say they’re tracksuit pants, but they’re Zegna couture,” the dedicated fashion follower said.
Indeed, the olive green ensemble is couture and fresh of the revered Italian menswear designer’s latest catwalk, but the pants are elasticated at the ankle with more elastic around the waist, and by The Oz’s standards that means one thing: tracksuit pants.
Which leaves one question: how the bloody hell did he get in here?
“Yeah, I suppose it was a risk, but I made sure I called up the VRC to make sure it was okay,” he said.
He got the tick of the approval from the VRC who assured him that the look was well within the guidelines. But the high-topped leather sneakers originally planned with the outfit?
“They actually lent it all to me with a high topped sneaker but I didn’t think they’d let me in,” he said.
“I loved them, but then I looked at the dress code and thought ‘better not’,” he said.
Hence the blue suede shoes.
And the verdict?
“I though it was better to stay cautious, you don’t want to arrive and have a disaster on the day, but I’m walking around and I’ve seen a couple of guys wearing leather sneakers and now I’m devastated.”
Guess there’s always next year.
Daniel Sankey 4.10pm: Double for Symons, Ellerton/Zahra
Odeon made it a Melbourne Cup Day double for the training team of Matthew Ellerton and Simon Zahra and jockey Chris Symons, the Zacintor gelding scoring a convincing victory in the Listed James Boag Premium Stakes (1800m).
Ellerton said Odeon went into today’s race fit and ready at his fourth run back from a four-month spell.
“He had two fitness runs early on and he’s hit his straps now. He’s at his right sort of trip now and was very impressive,” Ellerton said.
“I might back him up again on the Saturday. He could always go to the Eclipse (Stakes) or the Ballarat Cup.”
Symons admitted he couldn't get to his preferred spot early in the running, but the gelding’s finishing burst more than made up for that.
“He was a bit slow away but ended up a pair further back than I would’ve like, but then everything opened up for him,” Symons said.
The Chris Waller-trained Life Less Ordinary (Hugh Bowman) flashed home for second ahead of Danny O’Brien’s Second Bullet (Craig Williams)
ODEON demolishes his rivals, bringing up a Cup Day double for @cdsymons and @ellertonzahra. pic.twitter.com/IwBHMbcPS9
— Racing.com (@Racing) November 7, 2017
8-JAMES BOAG’S PREMIUM STAKES 1800m: 5.00 ODEON (H H Wee, M J Bracchi, Mrs E M Bracchi, J Kovacevic, Mrs O Kovacevic, D W Franklin, K W Franklin, S D Kempster, Mrs A Kempster, R Hafner, Mrs D Hafner, Leacra (Mgr: J M Rayner), R M Crook, Mrs T L Crook & T R Pocock’s b g 4y Zacinto (GB) - Theatre Buff (USA). Trainer: M Ellerton & S Zahra) 54 (Chris Symons) 1, 8.50 LIFE LESS ORDINARY 54.5 carr 55 (J Bowman) 2, 31.00 SECOND BULLET 54 (Craig Williams) 3. Then followed: 16.00 Balf’s Choice 55 (K Mc Evoy) 8.50 Nozomi 54 (Z Purton) 4.80 fav Lubiton 54 (Damian Lane) 21.00 Tashbeeh 55 (B Shinn) 21.00 Articus 55.5 (J P Spencer) 15.00 Brown Ben 54 (Jamie Kah) 31.00 De Little Engine 55 (D Moor) 13.00 Maurus 56.5 (M Zahra) 16.00 Turnitaround 56.5 (B Melham) 71.00 He Or She 57.5 (D Dunn) 101.00 Big Blue 54 (M J Dee) 41.00 Tally 59 (M J Walker) 101.00 Jim’s Journey 54 (D Tourneur) 16.00 Pure Pride 54 (S Baster) last. Scr: Kidmenever, Radipole, Von Tunzelman, Mr Garcia, Captain Duffy. 2 len, lg nk. Time: 1:49.21. (Last 600m 36.37).
Glynis Traill-Nash 3.59pm: Jen does it again
.@GlynisTN kicks of #MelbourneCup2017 at the @myer marquee with an old fashion friend: Jennifer Hawkins! pic.twitter.com/n2kn68UVSg
— Eric George (@ericpaulgeorge) November 7, 2017
Daniel Sankey 3.54pm: Lloyd’s big payday
One for the trivia buffs for later years .... Lloyd Williams not only quinellad the 2017 Melbourne Cup with Rekindling and Johannes Vermeer, he also managed to snare the reverse quinella, with his runners Bondi Beach and Gallante finishing second last and last respectively.
In addition to this runners at the head and tail of the field, Williams had defending champ Almandin in the race. He couldn’t produce last year’s winning effort, finishing 12th, while Us Army Ranger was 18th.
The prize for first place in today’s Melbourne Cup? A whopping $3.6 million. Add to that Johannes Vermeer’s $900,000 cheque for second place, and it’s been a pretty good day for Williams, who races his Melbourne Cup horses in partnership with other syndicates and friends.
Brendan Cormick 3.41pm: RACE 8 – Let’s finish with a flash
Hopefully the punters have some money in their pocket, because there are three races still to come at Flemington.
Next up is Race 8, the Listed $150,000 James Boag Premium Stakes, an 1800m handicap.
The Australian’s racing writer, Brendan Cormick, went awfully close to tipping a third consecutive Flemington winner, with Johannes Vermeer just beaten by Rekindling in the Melbourne Cup.
Here are his tips for Race 8:
13 – NOZOMI
11 – LUBITON
10 – LIFELESS ORDINARY
4 – MAURUS
Brendan says:
“This is a tough race but there are some good options for a healthy collect. Nozomi (13) didn’t get a clear passage in the Cranbourne Cup. The winner of that race, Folkswood, ran third to Winx at his next start in the Cox Plate. Nozomi races well at Flemington.
“Lubiton (11) broke the course record for 1600m at Moonee Valley last start with a bold front-running display.
“Life Less Ordinary (10) could be the blow-out. He has been freshened since an unplaced effort in the Group I Metropolitan. Maurus (4) is working towards a win, while Odeon (19) has found form again and is at a distance range where he’s competitive.”
SUGGESTED BET: Box quinella and trifecta 4-10-11-13-19, you can flexi bet and spend what you want `for a percentage.
Daniel Sankey 3.32pm: Melbourne Cup finishing order
1st: REKINDLING (Corey Brown/Joseph O’Brien) $15.00, $4.65
2nd: JOHANNES VERMEER (Ben Melham/Aidan O’Brien) $3.85
3rd: MAX DYNAMITE (Zac Purton/Darren Weir) $5.45
4th: Big Duke
5th: Nakeeta
6th: Thomas Hobson
7th: Tiberian
8th: Libran
9th: Marmelo
10th: Wicklow Brave
11th: Red Cardinal
12th: Almandin
13th: Cismontane
14th: Amelie’s Star
15th: Boom Time
16th: Wall Of Fire
17th: Single Gaze
18th: Us Army Ranger
19th: Humidor
20th: Hartnell
21st: Ventura Storm
22nd: Bondi Beache
23rd: Gallante
7-EMIRATES MELBOURNE CUP 3200m: 15.00 REKINDLING (N C Williams, Mr & Mrs L J Williams, A L & B A Green, B N Singer, P Mehrten, J & Mrs F Ingham, M Gudinski, V Sammartino, G T Ryan, Bulla Thoroughbreds (Mgr: M Ruff) & Heffernan Bloodstock, Mgr: D Heffernan’s b h 4y High Chaparral (IRE) - Sitara (GB). Trainer: Joseph O’Brien) 51.5 (C W Brown) 1, 13.00 JOHANNES VERMEER 54.5 (B Melham) 2, 20.00 MAX DYNAMITE 54 (Z Purton) 3. Then followed: 21.00 Big Duke 53.5 (B Avdulla) 41.00 Nakeeta 53 (G Schofield) 21.00 Thomas Hobson 52 (Ben Allen) 31.00 Tiberian 55.5 (O Peslier) 61.00 Libran 53 (D Dunn) 7.00 eq fav Marmelo 55 (J Bowman) 71.00 Wicklow Brave 54 (S Baster) 16.00 Red Cardinal 55 (K Mc Evoy) 7.00 eq fav Almandin 56.5 (L Dettori) 41.00 Cismontane 50 (Beau Mertens) 21.00 Amelie’s Star 51 (D Yendall) 31.00 Boom Time 53 (C J Parish) 11.00 Wall Of Fire 53 (Craig Williams) 31.00 Single Gaze 53 (Ms K O’Hara) 71.00 Us Army Ranger 53.5 (J P Spencer) 11.00 Humidor 56 (B Shinn) 26.00 Hartnell 57.5 (Damian Lane) 31.00 Ventura Storm 54 (G Boss) 71.00 Bondi Beach 54 (M J Walker) 91.00 Gallante 53 (M J Dee) last. Scr: Who Shot Thebarman. Lg nk, 2-1/2 len. Time: 3:21.19. (Last 600m 36.23).
"It hasn't really sunk in yet." @JosephOBrien2 becomes a #MelbourneCup winner at the age of 24. pic.twitter.com/aKzvCgNfCZ
— Racing.com (@Racing) November 7, 2017
Daniel Sankey 3.08pm: Rekindling wins the Melbourne Cup
Corey Brown has won his second Melbourne Cup and owner Lloyd Williams his sixth, with the Joseph O’Brien-trained Rekindling outstaying Johannes Vermeer (Ben Melham) in a stirring two-horse war.
Max Dynamite, second in the 2015 Melbourne Cup, was third.
International-trained filled the the first three placings, but it was a quinella for maverick Australian owner Lloyd Williams, who owns both Rekindling and Johannes Vermeer.
Williams, who also owns Almandin, who won the 2016 Melbourne Cup, purchased Rekindling as a yearling with a view to him developing into a Melbourne Cup prospect.
“Absolutely a dream. Terribly excited, I can't put it into words,” Williams said.
“I thought this horse was some chance, his run in the St Leger was very good.”
REKINDLING!!! REKINDLING!!! REKINDLING WINS THE MELBOURNE CUP FOR @josephobrien2 and @coreyjockey!!!#7racing pic.twitter.com/I7itI320MX
— 7HorseRacing 🎠(@7horseracing) November 7, 2017
Brown, who won his first Melbourne Cup back in 2009 aboard Shocking, said he chased hard for the ride on Rekindling, knowing he could make the horse’s light weight of 51.5kg.
While a four-year-old to Southern Hemisphere time, Rekindling is actually a three-year-old in Northern Hemisphere time, adding further merit to the performance by the High Chaparral youngster.
Heading into the home straight, Johannes Vermeer cruised up on the outside of race favourite Marmelo and kicked clear, but Brown on Rekindling was stalking him all the way.
They settled down to fight out the race in the final 200m, with Rekindling’s 3kg pull in the weights proving crucial as he edged clear for the victory.
Max Dynamite, given a beautiful ride just forward of midfield by Hong Kong-based Australian jockey Zac Purton, was a brave third ahead of the first Australian-trained horse to cross the line, Darren Weir’s Big Duke (Brenton Avdulla).
Corey Brown wins a second Melbourne Cup! pic.twitter.com/EfuoisVv5C
— Racing.com (@Racing) November 7, 2017
Samantha Hutchinson 2.50pm: Who are the pollies backing?
Inside the Tabcorp tent, Victorian Attorney General and Racing Minister Martin Pakula said he was torn.
He’s backed favourite Marmelo but the odds are “looking too short” and now he’s sweating.
“I can never pick it, I try every year and still... “ he laughed.
He was in good company as Labor leader Bill Shorten and wife Chloe Shorten, wearing coral colours, worked the room, while Labor spinner Adam Sims kept a watchful eye on the heavy crowd of state members.
Agriculture minister Jaala Pulford in fetching yellow polka dots was in party mode, alongside Gaming Minister Marlene Kairouz.
In the opposite corner, Defence Minister Marisa Payne lead the Liberal charge alongside Health Minister Greg Hunt and fast rising Liberal MPs Tim Wilson and Julia Banks.
Senator James Patterson was also enjoying himself, so much so he hadn’t yet placed a bet.
“I know, I’m Victorian but I’m a bit slow on the betting stuff ... I’m not great at it,” he laughed.
Daniel Sankey 2.46pm: Marmelo remains favourite
British galloper Marmelo remains outright favourite for the 2017 Melbourne Cup, but it’s a close run thing, with Almandin heavily supported in the past hour.
Almandin, the defending champ, has been backed into $7.50 second pick, with good money also for Marmelo, who’s now at $7.
Humidor is an $11 third pick from $13 chances Wall Of Fire and Johannes Vermeer.
MELBOURNE CUP BETTING
(Odds courtesy TAB)
$7 Marmelo
$7.50 Almandin
$11 Humidor
$13 Wall Of Fire, Johannes Vermeer
$15 Red Cardinal, Rekindling
$20 Max Dynamite
$21 Big Duke
$23 Amelie’s Star
$26 Single Gaze, Hartnell, Tiberian, Thomas Hobson
$31 Boom Time, Nakeeta
$34 Ventura Storm
$41 Cismontane
$61 Libran
$71 Bondi Beach, Wicklow Brave, Us Army Ranger, Gallante
Notable #MelbourneCup in the last hour:
— TABcomau Media (@tabcomaumedia) November 7, 2017
$10,000 @ $7.50 Marmelo
$5,000 @ $12 Wall Of Fire
$4,000 @ $9 Almandin
$2,000 @ $71 Gallante pic.twitter.com/YrvCIubGIv
Brendan Cormick 2.20pm: ‘Most open Cup in ages’
The big race is just 40 minutes away, and according to The Australian’s racing writer, Brendan Cormick, it remains one of the most open Cups in years.
Cormick is hoping to make it three winners in a row in the Cup ... and his selections are:
7 – JOHANNES VERMEER
2 – ALMANDIN
5 – MARMELO
22 – REKINDLING
Cormick writes:
“As important as the form is the speed map. You try and assess where each horse will be positioned coming by the winning post the first time and from this you may decipher the tempo of the race, who will be advantaged by following a horse that can take them into the race.
“Johannes Vermeer (7) has a favourable barrier, the ability to use it to take up a position handy to the leaders and the dash to put paid to his rivals halfway down the straight.
“Almandin (2) will be off midfield, looking for room and the chance to blend into the race unimpeded.
“Marmelo (5) needs a carbon copy of Almandin’s win in 2016. Rekindling (22) may need to follow Johannes Vermeer from an inside gate. I’m willing to risk Humidor (3), having a question mark over him running out a strong 3200m.”
SUGGESTED BET: 5 – JOHANNES VERMEER to win. Have a ticket with 22 – Rekindling’s name on it as a saver.
Samantha Hutchinson 2.15pm: Stars in the Birdcage
Inside the Birdcage, revellers were oblivious to the protesters outside as celebrities including 80s pop superstar Taylor Dayne and former Bond Girl Jane Seymour arrived at the Sensis Digital pavillion.
Dayne, one of the biggest guests of the carnival, simpered in a baby blue off-shoulder cocktail dress and joked that the Cup was “drinking and having a good time.”
UK actress Jane Seymour said she was thrilled with her first trip to Flemington, but noted it was another aspect of the day that had caught her eye.
“My goodness, the food,” she said.
“I should have dieted before I came here . because I never realised how good the food was. I’ve said yes to it all.”
Outside the Sensis Digital tent, Olympic swimmer Michael Klim, dressed in blue, laughed about the chilly breeze.
“I’m here with Sensis but I’m also with Mumm and an affiliate of Pernod Ricard, so I’m between the two marquees, but apart from that I’m happy to stay put and not go too far,” he said.
“It’s too cold!”
The Olympic medallist teamed his blue suit with floral accents with a striking pair of blue leather lace ups.
It’s a risky choice, but there’s method to his madness, he said.
“I launched a fragrance earlier this year called Deep Blue, so yeah, there’s a theme, “ he laughed.
Not so for his cup picks, though. This year, Klim is backing Red Cardinal.
“For the first time ever my friend owns a horse in the Melbourne Cup .. hopefully they can have a win and we can have a big party.”
Samantha Hutchinson 2.11pm: Protesters removed
Melbourne Cup celebrations at Flemington were momentarily interrupted by protesters objecting to Australia’s treatment Manus Island refugees by unfurling a banner from a sky-high crane.
Activities at the packed racecourse momentarily paused when two females climbed to the top of a crane on the site, and unfurled a banner reading: ““SOS: Evacuate Manus Now!”
Climbers Hannah Patchett, 24, and Katherine Woskett, 27, planned to remain suspended off the crane indefinitely, as they called for Manus Island asylum seekers to be evacuated immediately. By 1.20pm, they had been removed.
Daniel Sankey 2.07pm: Witness another winning tip
That’s two top selections in a row for The Australian’s racing writer Brendan Cormick, with Our Crown Witness leading all the way to win the Lexus Hybrid Plate.
Jockey Stephen Baster said Star Witness filly Our Crown Witness was able to overcome an awkward beginning to get to the front and hold on from the fast-finishing Luqyaa (Blake Shinn), with Warranty (Hugh Bowman), who only got clear late, in third.
“She’s a beauty, I’ve liked her since the first day she came into the stable,” Baster said.
“She was a bit awkwardly away today ... (but) when she got to the front she relaxed nice. To her credit she fought on well because she was entitled to get a bit tired.”
FOUR-IN-A-ROW! OUR CROWN MISTRESS is deadset FLYING. pic.twitter.com/9aPPbDOpkR
— Racing.com (@Racing) November 7, 2017
6-LEXUS HYBRID PLATE 1400m: 2.60 fav OUR CROWN MISTRESS (C Burgess, J S C Chua, Ms S Gnanalingam & P Krishnasamy’s gr f 3y Star Witness - Barangaroo. Trainer: G Waterhouse & A Bott) 55 (S Baster) 1, 20.00 LUQYAA 55 (B Shinn) 2, 8.00 WARRANTY 55 (J Bowman) 3. Then followed: 15.00 Yulong Xingsheng 55 (K Mc Evoy) 61.00 Super Snob 55 (Beau Mertens) 7.50 Counterplay 55 (N Callow) 15.00 River Jewel 55 (Damian Lane) 17.00 Tarcoola Spirit 55 (B Melham) 6.50 Boorooj 55 (M Zahra) 18.00 Torvill 55.5 (J R Collett) 31.00 Wanted Diva 55 (Craig Williams) last. Scr: Lady Of Crebilly, Lilas. Lg nk, 1-3/4 len. Time: 1:22.97. (Last 600m 35.50).
Tessa Akerman 1.57pm: Tassie Premier right at home
Tasmanian Premier Will Hodgman should know his horses after his father trained a winner of the Hobart Cup in the 1990s.
With the temperature in Hobart warmer than Melbourne today, we asked him about trying to poach the Cup for the Apple Isle.
“Why not? We’re taking over the world,” Mr Hodgman said.
He said while the Melbourne Cup would always be a classic event on the sporting calendar, Tasmania does pretty well for itself.
Having a drink in the James Boag marquee, Mr Hodgman looked at home in this Flemington piece of Tassie.
His trifecta for the cup? Marmelo, Wall Of Fire and Single Gaze.
Mr Hodgman said he usually came out even, but not to count on him for tips.
“I spend less time these days studying form and more time studying the budget,” he said.
Simon Fox Koob 1.54pm: Payne’s advice for O’Hara
Michelle Payne has urged this year’s only female jockey in the Melbourne Cup to enjoy the race and treat it like any other.
Kathy O’Hara will ride Canberra mare Single Gaze in this afternoon’s race.
Payne, the first female jockey to win the cup in 2015 on Prince of Penzance, sent her best wishes to O’Hara.
“I’m really excited for her, it’s the biggest buzz you could even imagine and what we all dream of. So basically to would say to her treat it like any other race. Don’t get too nervous and do your best and enjoy it as much as you can,” she told The Australian.
Payne had been enjoying the races from the Tabcorp marquee with sister Cathy, whose husband Kerrin McEvoy will ride German-trained Red Cardinal in this afternoon’s race.
Prior to Joao Moreira’s fall this afternoon, Payne said she was backing the jockey to do better than expected on Irish stayer Thomas Hobson. Though her bets may have changed after the jockey was ruled out this afternoon after a heavy fall.
“I think it’s a really open race,” said Payne.
Brendan Cormick 1.47pm: RACE 6 – Winners win
Race 6 at Flemington is the Lexus Hybrid Plate, a set weights event over 1400m for the three-year-old fillies.
The Gai Waterhouse/Adrian Bott-trained Our Crown Mistress (Stephen Baster) is the $2.60 favourite on TAB’s fixed odds market.
The Australian’s racing writer, Brendan Cormick, tips:
2 – OUR CROWN WITNESS
3 – COUNTERPLAY
6 – WARRANTY
4 – RIVER JEWEL
Brendan writes:
“When a filly is in a rich vein of form as Our Crown Witness (2) is, it is hard to go past them. She is a no-fuss filly that makes her own luck. The odds will be slender and that, really, is the only negative. There may not be much between Counterplay (3) and River Jewel (4), both beaten by the favourite last start. Respect NSW visitor Warranty (6).”
SUGGESTED BET: Take the race-to-race double, races 6 & 7: 2 with the field and then 2 with 2-5-7-22.
Daniel Sankey 1.45pm: Protesters strike at Flemington
Protesters have scaled a crane at Flemington, putting up an “Evacuate Manus Now!” banner. There are also major delays for punters still heading to Flemington racecourse after a protester stopped his vehicle on train tracks at Ascot Vale.
The man has been arrested.
JUST IN: ‘SOS: Evacuate Manus Now!’ – Protesters scale a crane and unfurl a banner at Flemington. #7News pic.twitter.com/g8TwburdRH
— 7 News Melbourne (@7NewsMelbourne) November 7, 2017
Car on the tracks as part of Manus protest - there's also a banner on a crane at Flemington @7NewsMelbourne pic.twitter.com/oBdz4N5KXs
— Estelle Griepink (@EstelleGriepink) November 7, 2017
Racegoers stuck on suspended trains because of Manus Island protest are getting out and walking to Flemington @7NewsMelbourne pic.twitter.com/DxNfQwMMFY
— Lynne Scrivens (@lynnescrivens) November 7, 2017
Daniel Sankey 1.33pm: Prezado presents perfectly
From second in an Echuca maiden to a win on Cup Day? It’s probably why the bookies made him a $20 shot, but the Matt Ellerton and Simon Zahra-trained Prezado saluted like an odds-on pop when he dashed from last to first to win the Schweppes Flemington Fling (1000m).
Denman gelding Prezado, ridden by Chris Symons, broke his maiden at his fourth start and justified his trainer’s decision to skip an easier race at Kyneton in favour of Flemington.
Symons admitted it was a difficult lead-up to the race, with jockeys concerned for fellow rider Joao Moreira, who fell in the previous race but managed to escape without serious injury.
“That (Moreira’s fall) really put a dampener on everyone’s day to be honest. Then when we found out there was a ride going, everyone jumped in the sauna!” Symons said.
Ben Allen is the lucky jockey to pick up the ride on Thomas Hobson in the Melbourne Cup, with Moreira stood down from rides for the rest of the day.
And if you’re following Brendan Cormick’s tips ... well done! Our racing writer made an each way bet on Prezado his suggested wager.
Prezado Is OFF and GONE in the Schweppes Flemington Fling. pic.twitter.com/UBWUIqFJ7E
— Racing.com (@Racing) November 7, 2017
5-SCHWEPPES FLEMINGTON FLING 1000m: 20.00 PREZADO (A W Bruhn, S W Bruhn, Escaka (Mgr: F P Merlino), P L Cooper, Scar Racing (Mgr: A R Cameron), P J Daenell, J C Crawford, R A Wilson, P J Campbell, Maverick Racing (Mgr: G S McCormack), C Sarantakos, M J Chaston, M J McCraw, M P Murray, M Mifsud, P J Nicoll, J Maddocks & R J Facchi’s b g 3y Denman - Nerrin Twister. Trainer: M Ellerton & S Zahra) 56 (Chris Symons) 1, 8.50 BANDIPUR 57.5 (Damian Lane) 2, 13.00 WILLIAM THOMAS 56 (D Dunn) 3. Then followed: 8.50 Madeenaty 56.5 (M Zahra) 6.50 Paret 56 (J Bowman) 3.40 fav Property 59.5 (Craig Williams) 14.00 Easy Beast 56 (J Mott) 8.00 Piracy 56 (K Mc Evoy) 13.00 Sam’s Image 56 (L Nolen) 41.00 Wait For No One 57.5 (C J Parish) 101.00 Lenticular 56 (M J Walker) last. Scr: Nature Strip, Choisborder. 1-1/4 len, 2-1/4 len. Time: 0:56.92. (Last 600m 33.25).
Brendan Cormick 1.21pm: RACE 5 — Promising chances in tough race
Next up at Flemington is Race 5, the Schweppes Flemington Fling (1000m), a dash down the Flemington straight for the three-year-olds.
Top chances according to The Australian’s racing writer, Brendan Cormick, are:
5 – PIRACY
11 – PREZADO
1 – PROPERTY
9 – PARET
Brendan writes:
“There has been money around for Piracy (5), who blundered at the start but mustered speed to lead and showed heart to run second in a handy race in Sydney recently. If you want to back one at odds then Prezado (11) should be coming here a last start winner. Had lots go against it at Echuca and will have been set for this. What is the sage advice, you can’t go wrong investing in property? Property (1) was a handy two-year-old and pays for it with weight here over and above that of his rivals. Paret (9) has been a ‘tip’ since last week. My concern is the colt can do a bit wrong in his races and can ill afford to do that here.”
SUGGESTED BET: Prezado win/place at the odds.
Brendan Cormick 1.20pm: Allen gets Cup ride
Ben Allen has been confirmed as the new rider for Thomas Hobson in the Melbourne Cup with Joao Moreira stood down for the rest of the day after falling from Regal Monarch in Race 4.
Regal Monarch has a shoulder injury and has been taken to Werribee Veterinary Hospital for treatment.
Thomas Hobson is a $21 chance in the Melbourne Cup.
Late Rider Change: 07-11-2017 Flemington R7 - No.21 Thomas Hobson - Ben Allen (no other rider can make the weight)
— RVStewards (@RVStewards) November 7, 2017
Miracle Moreira walks from nasty fall. https://t.co/a1pbhulDHV pic.twitter.com/m7fuRAH9wr
— Racing.com (@Racing) November 7, 2017
Daniel Sankey 1.10pm: Injured Moreira stood down
We are looking for a new jockey for Melbourne Cup runner Thomas Hobson, with top jockey Joao Moreira stood down from riding for the rest of the day after a nasty fall in the fourth race.
Moreira was not seriously injured and was able to walk — albeit with a limp — from the course after his mount, Regal Monarch, crashed to the turf as they cornered in the Ronald McDonald House Charities Benchmark 96 (2800m).
Regal Monarch has been taken to the Werribee Veterinary Hospital for treatment.
Tessa Akerman 1.07pm: Willpower on show
We’re in the Lexus marquee in the Birdcage, and anyone walking away from that dessert bar without picking something up has to have enormous willpower.
Australian Victoria’s Secret model Elyse Taylor has it in spades.
As Lexus ambassador she managed to pose with the desserts yet not let a morsel pass her lips.
In the Schweppes marquee, someone has just asked for a scotch and soda. That’s a boring move when there is a range of new cocktails on offer including the Flemington Fling.
A mix of vodka, lime, mint and Schweppes Agrum Blood Orange, pictured below on the right, this drink is getting the party started in this marquee.
Daniel Sankey 1.02pm: Top jockey hurt in shocking fall
A big win for the David Hayes stable, with 2016 New Zealand Oaks winner Fanatic (Michael Walker) dashing home to win the Ronald McDonald House Charities Benchmark 96 (2800m).
However, all attention remained at the top of the straight, where the world’s top jockey Joao Moreira was being attended to by paramedics after his mount, Regal Monarch, fell.
Moreira has been placed in a neck brace but was sitting up, was conscious and was able to move his limbs.
The Hong Kong-based Brazilian jockey is booked to ride Thomas Hobson in the Melbourne Cup at 3pm, but it’s not known if he’ll be fit to take the ride.
Fanatic’s trainer, David Hayes, was full of praise for his mare’s victory.
“She was sent to us to be a stayer. She’s a New Zealand Group 1 winner and it’s nice that’s she’s covered a few bills. We’ll go to the Group 2 Sandown Cup now,” Hayes said.
FANATIC takes out a drama-filled Race 4 @FlemingtonVRC. pic.twitter.com/rne1uxk1pp
— Racing.com (@Racing) November 7, 2017
4-RONALD MCDONALD HOUSE (BM96) 2800m: 15.00 FANATIC (S P Kiernan’s b m 5y Shocking - Komplete Klass (NZ). Trainer: D & B Hayes & T Dabernig) 55 (M J Walker) 1, 8.00 SHERLOCK HOLMES 54 (C W Brown) 2, 11.00 SWACADELIC 54.5 (Ben Allen) 3. Then followed: 4.60 fav Sin To Win 54 (K Mc Evoy) 16.00 Berisha 60 (M Zahra) 41.00 Kawabata 54 (B Avdulla) 14.00 Ubin Thunderstruck 54 (D Yendall) 101.00 Darabad 54 (L Currie) 31.00 Zilbiyr 54 (Beau Mertens) 5.50 Granddukeoftuscany 54.5 (M J Dee) 51.00 Sly Romance 54 (N Callow) 26.00 Settler’s Stone 54 (D Dunn) 17.00 Plot Twist 54 (Damian Lane) 12.00 The Willybe 54 (D Tourneur) 151.00 Baykool 54 (C J Parish) 91.00 Flying Casino 54 (S Baster) last. 21.00 Regal Monarch 54 (J Moreira) fell. Scr: Yogi, Crafty Cruiser, Tuff Bickie, Cuban Fighter, Miss Danni. 1-1/4 len, 1-1/4 len. Time: 2:56.35. (Last 600m 37.04).
Brendan Cormick 12.40pm: This won’t be a McFlurry
Up next at Flemington is Race 4, the $120,000 Ronald McDonald House Charities Benchmark 96 over 2800m.
The Australian’s racing writer, Brendan Cormick, tips:
3 – GRANDDUKEOFTUSCANY
4 – SWACADELIC
15 – SHERLOCK HOLMES
16 – UBINTHUNDERSTRUCK
6 – SIN TO WIN
Brendan writes:
“How do you go past Granddukeoftuscany (3), drawn the pole position and slides through to lead. Second to Amelie’s Star and beat home Cup fancy Almandin in The Bart Cummings. Been building to a win and most of these would not get warm around Almandin. Swacadelic (4) is racing genuinely and worth noting down dramatically in weight on what he carried last year when fourth in this race. Sherlock Holmes (15) has had a good build-up and is the danger while Ubiinthunderstruck (16) was unlucky when held-up last start. Sin To Win (6) is a grinder who must go into trifectas.
SUGGESTED BET: Roving Banker Trifecta 3 to rove with 1, 2, 4, 6, 8,9, 15, 16. Flexi bet it for however much you want to spend and you get a percentage of the collect if successful.
Tessa Akerman 12.35pm: International flavour
The Melbourne Cup already has an international flavour with the horses, but Romanian Ambassador Nineta Barbulescu has ramped up the international fashion stakes.
Ms Barbulescu has already been in Australia four years but this is her first Melbourne Cup.
Wearing a traditional coat which has a similar model in New York’s metropolitan museum of art, Ms Barbulescu says she dressed for the weather and the dress code as well as throwing in a nod to Australia with her hat.
She intends to bet on Marmelo but also has a soft spot for Hartnell and Thomas Hobson and will be checking their histories.
Ms Barbulescu was last seen in deep conversation with an Emirates representative.
Watch this space for an Emirates Bucharest Cup.
Samantha Hutchinson 12.28pm: Birdcage in full swing
The Birdcage is in full swing at Flemington and almost at capacity, with racegoers in sky high hats, aggressive pin stripes and and luminous prints the order of the day.
Most racegoers are au fait with the Members Enclosure’s notoriously strict dress code which forbids thongs, denim and all signs of midrift.
But what happens when a racegoer arrives, decked to the nines, in their own national dress?
VRC marketing executive Laura Spadaro had a near sticky situation on her hands when Japanese consul to Australia Mr Toshiki Tojo arrived at the Birdcage with his wife Shoko, as guests of the Asahi Group and the Schweppes tent.
Mrs Tojo, who is easily a contender for Best Dressed inside the race course, arrived wearing an exquisite floor length kimono and matching traditional footwear, which you guessed it, are thongs.
Security guards at the gate thought they might have a dress code violation on their hands and left the guests hanging for an excruciating moment in the breeze, until Ms Spadaro arrived to clear up the confusion and to bring in the high profile guests.
“National dress is fine,” she told security. “Bring them in.”
Later to The Australian, she laid down the law and said definitively that thongs were out, but all national dress, including gowns which are paired with handmade Japanese “Geta”, are in.
“The dress code is very strict, but of course, national dress is allowed and if that means a kimono and traditional footwear, they’re more than welcome.”
Daniel Sankey 12.20pm: ‘My horses love her’
Trainer Tony McEvoy paid tribute to Adelaide jockey Jamie Kah who produced a perfect ride to steer Dollar For Dollar to victory in the Lavazza Short Black (1400m) at Flemington today.
“My horses love her and that makes me love her as well,” McEvoy said.
Notching up her third successive victory on Dollar For Dollar — the previous two in Adelaide — Kah said it was ‘incredible’ to be winning on Cup Day.
“It’s almost like winning the Melbourne Cup for me ... I just love this horse,” Kah said.
“He’s such an honest horse. To come here and produce a win like that is just really awesome. (And) to hear the crowd as you cross the winning post first is just unreal.”
Land of Plenty (Beau Mertens) was held up for a run for much of the straight and did well to finish second while Milwaukee (Patrick Moloney) was third.
WHAT A RIDE! Jamie Kah steams home for Tony McEvoy with Dollar For Dollar who really showed us the money!!! pic.twitter.com/ashRO0dHyY
— Racing.com (@Racing) November 7, 2017
3-LAVAZZA SHORT BLACK (BM90) 1400m: 5.50 DOLLAR FOR DOLLAR (Pipeliner Bloodstock Pty Ltd (Mgr: W G Mitchell), R & C Legh Racing Pty Ltd (Mgr: R P Legh), G B Medved, P J Mullen, Ms X Huang, A C Hall, E W Cockram & G M Turner’s b g 5y High Chaparral (IRE) - Pretty Penny. Trainer: Tony McEvoy) 54.5 (Jamie Kah) 1, 6.00 LAND OF PLENTY 55 (Beau Mertens) 2, 7.50 MILWAUKEE 54 (Patrick Moloney) 3. Then followed: 18.00 Atlantic City 54 (S Baster) 7.00 Ozi Choice 54.5 (Craig Williams) 9.50 Divine Quality 54 (C W Brown) 15.00 Manuel 54 (Z Purton) 71.00 Royal Tudor 60 (D Dunn) 4.80 fav New Universe 54.5 (K Mc Evoy) 91.00 Krusty 54 (Ben Allen) 31.00 Boggoms 56 (D Tourneur) 101.00 Snipfit 54 (L Nolen) 101.00 Un De Sceaux 54 (N Callow) last. Scr: Fox Hall, Wayanka, Spearhead. 1-1/2 len, 1-1/4 len. Time: 1:22.15. (Last 600m 34.90).
Brendan Cormick 12.03pm: RACE 3 – Space job for New Universe
Race 3 on the card at Flemington is the $120,000 Lavazza Short Black, a benchmark 90 event for four and five-year-olds.
The Australian’s racing writer, Brendan Cormick, tips:
6 – NEW UNIVERSE
3 – LAND OF PLENTY
4 – DOLLAR FOR DOLLAR
7 – OZI CHOICE
Brendan writes:
“Tommy Berry was booked for New Universe (6), a horse he is unbeaten on ... but when his Cup ride (Who Shot Thebarman) was scratched, he stayed in Hong Kong. Kerrin McEvoy takes the ride on the capable ex-Kiwi who is a winner of both second-up runs and make that statistic three from three today. Huge run when resuming in Sydney and 1400m trip looks ideal. Land Of Plenty (3) is down in grade and up in distance. Reads as the obvious danger. Dollar For Dollar (4) is racing well in Adelaide.”
SUGGESTED BET: 6 – New Universe to win. Quinella 3 and 6.
Simone Fox Koob 11.50am: Sun shines on Flemington
Brief bursts of sun are shining on Flemington after a drizzly, wet morning, with the racetrack already brimming with punters enjoying the change of weather.
Exclusive guests and Aussie celebrities are also arriving at the Birdcage, from AFL sporting stars such as Gary Ablett and tennis star Lleyton Hewitt, to supermodels Robyn Lawley and Jennifer Hawkins, and actress Zoe Ventoura.
Luxury brands such as GH Mumm have installed a yacht in their marquee, which will be christened this afternoon, while coffee brand Lavazza has AFL star Christian Petracca acting as a barista.
Daniel Sankey 11.45am: Williams salutes on Tahanee
Craig Williams is on one of the real spruik horses, Wall Of Fire, in today’s Melbourne Cup ... and he showed he was in outstanding form with a lovely ride to boot home the Darren Weir-trained Tahanee in the second race of the day, the Tab.com.au Trophy (1700m) for the mares.
Williams positioned Tahanee just behind an even tempo set by Hell Or Highwater and eased off that mare’s heels as they rounded the home turn, kicking clear and holding off race favourite Invincibella (Hugh Bowman), with Stormsabrewing (Beau Mertens) in third.
Bred in Argentina, Tahanee did her early racing there before switching to the Weir stable. She’s now won five times and placed four times from just 17 starts, earning just short of $250,000 in her career so far for her connections.
“She’s been well placed, well-handled and well-prepared by the Darren Weir stable,” Williams said after the race.
Next on the agenda for Tahanee is a quick back-up into the Group 2 Matriarch Stakes (2000m) at Flemington this Saturday, with the Weir stable keen to chase black type for the mare while she’s in winning form.
TOUGH TAHANEE. @CWilliamsJockey drives Tahanee home along the rail for @DKWeirRacing. pic.twitter.com/9L7KTmo2Fq
— Racing.com (@Racing) November 7, 2017
2-TAB.COM.AU TROPHY 1700m: 7.00 TAHANEE (Sheikh Mohammed Bin Khalifa Al Maktoum’s ch m 5y Stormy Atlantic (USA) - Tawafeej. Trainer: D K Weir) 54 (Craig Williams) 1, 2.20 fav INVINCIBELLA 56 (J Bowman) 2, 16.00 STORMSABREWING 54 (Beau Mertens) 3. Then followed: 51.00 Hot Ruby 54 (B Avdulla) 20.00 Pygmy 54 (G Schofield) 17.00 Rocket Commander 56.5 (K Mc Evoy) 12.00 Hell Or Highwater 60.5 (D Yendall) 8.50 Miles Of Krishan 54 (M J Dee) 21.00 Spanner Head 54 (Jordan Childs) 21.00 Lady Silhouette 54 (L Nolen) 41.00 Rock Away 54 (N Callow) 151.00 Prepee 54 (M J Walker) 151.00 Via Cavour 54 (Jordan Turner) last. Scr: History Repeats, Linguist, Star Patriot. 1-1/2 len, 2 len. Time: 1:42.69. (Last 600m 35.24).
11.35am: Bowman ‘very confident’ on Marmelo
Top jockey Hugh Bowman goes into today’s Melbourne Cup full of confidence that his mount, Marmelo, is the horse to beat.
Speaking to racing.com this morning, Bowman said the Hugh Morrison-trained stayer’s Caulfield Cup run, a fast-finishing sixth behind Boom Time, had him primed to produce his best at Flemington today.
Marmelo has been backed into $7.50 favourite on the TAB’s fixed odds market.
“I’m very confident. I was very pleased with him at Caulfield and his form in Europe is very good. He’s obviously settled in well but it’s an open race. I think there’s any one of six can win it and there’s any one of 10 that are genuine top three chances.
“I’m confident he’s going to produce a very big run for me but will it be good enough to win? We’ll have to wait and see.”
Bowman said he did not see barrier 16 as a drawback to Marmelo’s chances.
“I’ve got a pretty open mind ... he obviously raced very well from back in the field at Caulfield so I’m mindful of that. I’m pleased I’m drawn out there (barrier 16) because it’s going to give me time to assess the pace of the race.
“I’m expecting a pretty evenly-run Melbourne Cup this year. I can’t see it being run at a frantic pace and I’d be very surprised if it was a slowly-run race, so the beauty of being drawn out there is it allows me to assess the pace and allow my horse to be comfortable.
“If it is slowly run, well I won’t be far away. If there’s a lot of pressure on you can expect me to be midfield or further back.”
"I'm very confident." @gramage_ gets the inside word from @hugebowman on his #MelbourneCup mount Marmelo. pic.twitter.com/2wWf6QUz4G
— Racing.com (@Racing) November 7, 2017
Brendan Cormick 11.21am: RACE 2 – Cup of tea, maybe lunch?
The second race of the day is the $120,000 TAB.com.au Trophy (1700m) for the mares. Brendan Cormick tips:
1 – HELL OR HIGHWATER
3 – INVINCIBELLA
8 – MILES OF KRISHAN
5 TAHANEE
He writes:
“Not the most auspicious muster for the day, but don’t let that get in the way of having a flutter.
“Hell Or Highwater (1) has been in work for about eight months and has to lump the grandstand. The huge plus is Dean Yendall is back in the saddle. Yendall has ridden her four times for three wins and a Group 2 placing where she ran out of her skin. If not pestered in the lead or on-pace, she is a great win/place bet.
“Invincibella (3) is in good form but short enough at $2.70. Stablemate Miles of Krishan (8) was getting home strongly at Caulfield last time, but she gives such a long start.”
SUGGESTED BET: 1 Hell Or Highwater whatever you have on her to win, double up on the place.
Tessa Akerman 11.17am: Feeling hungry? We are now
When you’re craving a bacon and egg muffin before a day of racing, the James Boag marquee has a great substitute — a bacon toastie with avocado gribiche and HP sauce.
It’s just the thing to get your Cup day off to a good start.
If you’re counting carbs, don’t worry ... you can burn it off on their dance floor later.
Instagram dessert queen Caroline Khoo has created a sweet banquet at the Lexus marquee.
A well-dressed woman asks if she can try one of everything before realising she can come back for seconds or fourths.
Glynis Traill-Nash 11.12am: Melbourne Cup fashion
It’s only 11.15am, but I’m prepared to call it: pink is leading the pack as the top fashion trend of Melbourne Cup 2017.
Add ruffles, pleats, bell sleeves, anything you like, but every shade from palest blush to eye searing fuchsia is trending in the Birdcage at Flemington.
The Myer marquee is peaking early not only in pink, but in a party atmosphere with the DJ in full swing. Jennifer Hawkins is holding court in a beautiful 1950s-silhouette Alex Perry dress that she says is outside her usual style, but loves for its femininity.
Follow Glynis on Twitter throughout the day for fashion updates.
Well, we got the memo... #thinkpink @becjuddloves @JodiAnasta @myer #MelbourneCup pic.twitter.com/3NsnXG68qs
— Glynis Traill-Nash (@GlynisTN) November 7, 2017
And we’re off! Jen Hawkins in @AlexPerry007at the @myer marquee for #MelbourneCup. pic.twitter.com/lcvm7ZfJPP
— Glynis Traill-Nash (@GlynisTN) November 7, 2017
Daniel Sankey 11.05am: Setsuna dominates in the first
It was a dominant front-running display from jockey Stephen Baster as he cruised to victory aboard the Gai Waterhouse-trained Choisir filly, Setsuna ($4.60) in the Emirates A380 Stakes (1000m) for the two-year-old fillies.
And there are big plans in store for Setsuna, who’ll now be spelled with a view to coming back for a Golden Slipper campaign in 2018.
From barrier one, Setsuna jumped straight to the front and was under a tight hold inside the 400m before Baster let her stride clear in the closing stages.
“The race experience obviously helps,” Baster told Racing.com after the race. The filly already has a win and a second from two career starts to date.
“She still got there and stargazed, so she won quite convincingly.”
The Tony McEvoy-trained Exceed And Excel filly Roobeena (Zac Purton) was solid across the line, grabbing second place ahead of her stablemate, the Foxwedge filly Aristocratic Miss. Race favourite Qafila (Kerrin McEvoy) was fourth.
SETSUNA said see you later! It's that duo again, @stephenbaster and @GaiWaterhouse1. pic.twitter.com/eeR5PFRyqm
— Racing.com (@Racing) November 7, 2017
1-EMIRATES 100TH A380 STAKES 1000m: 4.60 SETSUNA (M D Holland, M T Bradley, J G Boulous, R M Caruso, S K Cross, M A Davis, Mrs D Graham, P J Hall, B McCann, R G C Mather, R J Mulhall, D A Poletto, M V Taboni, Mrs T L Willis & Darby Racing Longoria, Mgr: S G Darby’s b f 2y Choisir - Longoria. Trainer: G Waterhouse & A Bott) 56 (S Baster) 1, 10.00 ROOBEENA 56 (Z Purton) 2, 14.00 ARISTOCRATIC MISS 56 (D Dunn) 3. Then followed: 2.80 fav Qafila 56 (K Mc Evoy) 15.00 Yulong Monoceros 56 (L Nolen) 26.00 Havana Heat 56 (Craig Williams) 17.00 Farthing Wood 56 (John Allen) 8.50 Kara’s Hope 56 (A Hyeronimus) 26.00 Saturation 56 (Ben Allen) 61.00 Chevalier D’Eon 56 (J Mott) 26.00 Rock The World 56 (B Melham) 71.00 Miss Zelda 56 (N Callow) last. Scr: Lake District Girl. 1-1/4 len, len. Time: 0:58.24. (Last 600m 33.92).
Jason Gagliardi 10.52am: An impeccable omen bet
From an impeccable source (a mate at the Kauri Foreshore Hotel in Glebe) comes an exotic omen bet: Red Cardinal.
The backstory: Today is the 100th anniversary of the Bolshevik Revolution, when Lenin led the uprising in Petrograd (Saint Petersburg), then capital of Tsarist Russia.
The 50th Anniversary, 1967, also fell on a Melbourne Cup Tuesday, and on that day, Red Handed caught the field napping and made off with the Cup.
So, Comrades, history is on your side, and it must be Red Cardinal.
10.50am: Let’s do this, Flemington
Let's do this, @flemingtonvrc. #MelbourneCup pic.twitter.com/vneUpIk3q4
— Racing.com (@Racing) November 6, 2017
Brendan Cormick 10.31am: RACE 1 — Hope springs eternal
We’re less than half an hour from the first race at Flemington today, the $150,000 Group 3 Emirates 100th A380 Stakes.
It’s an interesting race for the two-year-old fillies over 1000m, and I’ve selected:
7 – KARA’S HOPE
1 – SETSUNA
2 – QAFILA
11 – ROOBEENA
Only two of the two-year-old fillies have been exposed to raceday action, that being NSW youngster 1 Setsuna and unbeaten Victorian, 2 Qafila. 1 Setsuna will close the race off if she gets room. 2 Qafila needs cover from a wide draw, but has untapped talent.
That brings me to 7 Kara’s Hope, a Sydney filly by I Am Invincible out of VRC Oaks winner Bulla Borghese. She’s making her debut in Melbourne, which has me intrigued. 7 Kara’s Hope was not tested in a Rosehill trial and had lots to give.
Of the remaining unraced brigade 11 Roobeena and 13 Yulong have performed well in jump-outs and have interesting bloodlines.
SUGGESTED BET: Roving banker trifecta 7 to rove with 1, 2, 6, 11 & 13 (7 must run 1st,2nd or 3rd with other numbers around it)
Courtney Walsh 10.20am: Cassidy pumped to give O’Hara advice
Kathy O’Hara will have plenty of people in her corner when she saddles up on Single Gaze for her Melbourne Cup debut today.
The 31-year-old jockey, who is in red-hot form after riding a hat-trick of winners at Rosehill on Saturday, is the only female rider in the race and as such will attract plenty of support from once-a-year punters willing her on.
But O’Hara will also have racing royalty on her side, with retired champion Jim “Pumper” Cassidy sharing his Cup expertise with her.
Read the full story here.
Tessa Akerman 9.59am: This is the Precinct to be in
While the queues might not be that long outside Flemington at the moment, that doesn’t mean people aren’t lining up inside the course.
The queue for the Precinct would be around the block ... if there were blocks. Instead, it takes in quite a bit of the racetrack.
People are waiting for the venue to open to grab food, drink and a good spot to watch the action.
It’s also good to see men are abandoning the traditional palettes of grey and navy for a splash of colour.
They’re probably not the real Wiggles but we’re still keeping an eye out for a big red car.
Samantha Woodhill 9.51am: Why Almandin will win the Cup
It’s Almandin, not race favourite Marmelo, who has the highest probability to take out the win this year’s Melbourne Cup, according to quantitative analysts at Macquarie Bank.
The Macquarie Quant Halpha Model for 2017 is designed to capture inherent biases in the preferences of other market participants which skew odds. It aims to take advantage of these inefficiencies by betting against the direction of the skew.
According to the model, Marmelo will likely come second in the race that stops the nation, with Red Cardinal third.
Almandin is currently a $9 second favourite for the Melbourne Cup with the TAB’s fixed odds market. Marmelo is an $8 favourite with Red Cardinal at $17. Max Dynamite, at $16, is the other runner considered strong value.
The improved 2017 Halpha model takes a greater tilt towards horses with shorter odds than the original one.
“This presents a more favourable risk profile compared to last year’s model,” analysts said.
“We tested the updated Halpha model by simulating $1 bets on 1,900 actual races, and achieved a net profit $551.”
Analysts used data from 3,800 races and selected a number of factors that could unduly influence the offered odds, such as age and days since last race, where the effect may not affect horses’ win probability as much as punters might believe.
A range-normalisation process was then applied to remove inter-race variation in the range of factor values; similar to how cross-sectional mean-variance normalisation controls for time-series effects in quantitative equity models.
The final step was to apply a multivariate regression specification to detect factors that have had significant predictive power on realised returns.
“Despite the depth of our analysis, however, we’d like to stress that we know very little about horses, and this report is not meant to be taken seriously,” analysts said.
“Past performance may not be indicative of future performance. Happy punting!”
Daniel Sankey 9.36am: Francesca’s Cup tip
You’ll see plenty of Francesca Cumani on your TV screens today as she rates all the runners in the mounting yard as part of Channel Seven’s Melbourne Cup Day coverage.
Francesca, the daughter of legendary Italian racehorse trainer Luca Cumani, knows a thing or two about what it takes to prepare a Melbourne Cup winner. She put the finishing touches on Bauer for her father in 2008 when the pint-sized stayer was beaten a nose by Bart Cummings’ Viewed.
Today, Francesca is warming to two of Lloyd Williams’ runners. She has made Caulfield Cup placegetter Johannes Vermeer her top selection, with another Williams runner, Rekindling, her next best.
Johannes Vermeer is currently at $10 chance on the TAB’s fixed odds market for the Melbourne Cup, with Rekindling at $15.
Tessa Akerman 9.27am: Suzie, Noah and a trusty tent
Suzie has been to the cup before and knows that it’s usually cold or there’s too much sun ... so she comes prepared. That’s why her trusty tent is the first piece of gear packed for Flemington on Cup Day.
“I like that it’s something very special in Melbourne and I get to dress up once a year,” she said.
Phoebe and Xinyu are Chinese students volunteering at the Cup. They visited last year and applied online to volunteer and be part of the experience.
Tessa Akerman 9.21am: Early bird arrivals
Those arriving early at Flemington are experiencing uncrowded trains and a quick look through bags by security.
One glance and a question about whether a bag contains glass bottles and race goers are waved through.
Walk past a huddle of police, scan the barcode on your ticket or pass and you’re in only to be immediately presented with opportunities to spend a dollar or 10.
There’s the cup pins for charity, race guides, yellow rose pins and the official merchandise.
All this before you even place a bet.
Courtney Walsh 9.10am: Another first for Hayes?
Caulfield Cup winner Boom Time will attempt to post another first for one of Australia’s most famous racing families at Flemington today.
For all the success the Hayes family has enjoyed in Australian racing, the triumph of Boom Time a fortnight ago was the first time a horse had claimed the Caulfield Cup wearing their colours.
And should jockey Cory Parish win today, David Hayes said it would be the first time the family has achieved the feat under its own colours in the Melbourne Cup.
Read the full story here.
Pia Akerman 8.55am: Umbrellas the early favourite
Rain continues to fall on Melbourne as the first racegoers make their way to Flemington for the Melbourne Cup.
Umbrellas and jackets are early favourites among the eager punters making their way to the racecourse gates, though the showers are predicted to clear by the time the main race begins at 3pm.
Aboard the Flemington-bound trains, women are swapping sensible boots for heels as they draw closer to the track.
The Andrews government and train operator Metro will be praying there is no repeat of Saturday’s delays which saw Derby Day punters trapped on stationary trains for over an hour due to a fault.
Dozens of people forced train doors open and jumped onto the track in desperate efforts to escape the stifling conditions.
Daniel Sankey 8.51am: It’s all good at Flemington
There’s a little bit of rain about in Melbourne this morning, but it’s had little effect on the Flemington track, which has come up a Good 3 for today’s Melbourne Cup meeting.
The rail is in the true position and there is just one scratching in the Melbourne Cup ... Who Shot TheBarman, who came out yesterday because of an elevated temperature.
FLEMINGTON SCRATCHINGS
Race 1: 8 Lake District Girl
Race 2: 12 History Repeats, 13 Linguist, 16 Star Patriot
Race 3: 5 Fox Hall, 10 Wayanka, 16 Spearhead
Race 4: 5 Yogi, 18 Crafty Cruiser, 19 Tuff Bickie, 21 Cuban Fighter, 22 Miss Danni
Race 5: 8 Nature Strip, 10 Choisborder
Race 6: 11 Lady of Credibility, 13 Lilas
Race 7: 11 Who Shot Thebarman
Race 8: 3 Kidmenever, 14 Radipole, 20 Von Tunzelman, 21 Mr Garcia, 22 Captain Duffy
Race 9: 2 Derryn, 4 Big Money, 10 Crystal Dreamer, 18 I’m Telling Ya
Track conditions for #EmiratesMelbourneCup Day:
— FlemingtonRacecourse (@FlemingtonVRC) November 6, 2017
Good 3
Going Stick: All - 10.1
Rail: True pic.twitter.com/5ol3LzcAgE
Courtney Walsh 8.35am: Cummings dares not dream
James Cummings has not allowed himself to dream about what it would be like to taste Melbourne Cup success with Hartnell for fear of derailing an ambitious but unorthodox preparation.
It is understandable the $6.2 million race over 3200 metres means the world to Cummings, who assumed the reins as head trainer of Godolphin’s Australian operations earlier this year.
His great grandfather Jim trained Comic Court to win the 1950 Melbourne Cup, while the exploits of his grandfather Bart, who won it 12 times, are legendary.
Cummings began plotting a slightly unorthodox path with the Melbourne Cup top-weight in June, mindful of ensuring Hartnell peaked today but also making sure he dodged wonder mare Winx. Read the full story here.
Daniel Sankey 8.25am: Betting update
Marmelo remains the favourite on the TAB’s fixed odds market for the Melbourne Cup, but at $8, he’s currently the longest-priced favourite since the TAB started offering fixed odds in 2001.
To be ridden by Winx’s regular jockey, Hugh Bowman, Marmelo supplanted defending champ Almandin as favourite yesterday and has firmed from $8.50 in the past 24 hours.
Almandin remains the second favourite at $9.50, with Humidor and Johannes Vermeer both at $10.
MELBOURNE CUP BETTING
Check latest odds at TAB
$8 Marmelo
$9.50 Almandin
$10 Humidor, Johannes Vermeer
$12 Wall Of Fire
$15 Rekindling
$16 Max Dynamite
$17 Red Cardinal
$20 Thomas Hobson
$21 Big Duke, Amelie’s Star
$26 Hartnell, Tiberian, Nakeeta
$31 Boom Time
$34 Ventura Storm, Single Gaze
$41 Libran
$51 Wicklow Brave, Cistmontane
$61 Us Army Ranger
$71 Bondi Beach
$101 Gallante
He was in ripping form on #DerbyDay.
— TAB (@tabcomau) November 6, 2017
Check out all of Deane Lester's tips for #MelbourneCup day!
Markets: https://t.co/d7ocu5xA6E pic.twitter.com/r1SeBsoVX7
Daniel Sankey 8.09am: Comerford confident for Vermeer
Aidan O’Brien’s travelling foreman, TJ Comerford, could not have sounded any more confident of Johannes Vermeer’s chances when he spoke with Greg Miles on Melbourne’s RSN Racing & Sport Radio this morning.
Comerford is no stranger to the Melbourne Cup, having finalised the preparations of both Bondi Beach and Kingfisher for O’Brien in recent years.
But he told Miles that he believed Johannes Vermeer was easily the best chance the stable had entered for Australia’s greatest race.
“He seems to have have done well since he’s come here. We’ve always known he’s a decent horse ... and this horse had a few issues as a three-year-old. But since I brought him to Australia he has turned a corner,” Comerford said.
“I can’t put my finger on it. I know he’s had two quick runs here but it doesn’t seem to have bothered him.”
Johannes Vermeer has been in the placings at both his starts in Australia leading into the Melbourne Cup. He was a fast-finishing half-neck second to Gailo Chop in the Group 1 Caulfield Stakes on October 14 before having a chequered passage in the Caulfield Cup when he hit the line strongly for third behind Boom Time.
Comerford said not winning those races may turn out to be a blessing as he hasn’t received a weight penalty for the Melbourne Cup.
“The horse could have two Grade 1s under his belt and then what weight would he have?” Comerford said.
“Now that he’s got a good draw (barrier three) we can ride him whatever way we want.”
Brendan Cormick 7.46am: Melbourne’s fickle weather
Melbourne has woken to overcast and drizzly conditions on what promises to be the bleakest Cup Day for more than a decade.
The temperature is expected to peak at 14C, but feel like 10C, making a jacket a warm favourite with racegoers.
According to racecourse manager Mick Goodie the rain will abate after 8am but it has not had a negative affect on the track. Goodie and his track staff put 6mm of irrigation on yesterday and expects only 3mm in the gauge this morning.
“The track will race in the good range,” Goodie said.
Who Shot Thebarman remains the only scratching and 23 horses will face the starter when the jockeys come to attention at 3pm.
We hear what @FlemingtonVRC track manager @MikeGoodie1 thinks about the #MelbourneCup and the hallowed turf it’s run on… pic.twitter.com/OPFZBxsYVf
— TAB (@tabcomau) November 6, 2017
Marmelo is the favourite at $8 to win the $6.25 million handicap that has been part of the thoroughbred racing landscape since 1861.
Trainer Hughie Morrison — who has a pessimistic view of the build-up, a glass half-full character — has found himself swept along on a wave of emotion since Marmelo’s eye-catching sixth in the Caulfield Cup last month.
After 15 attempts, charismatic globetrotting jockey Frankie Dettori chases his first win in the Cup aboard last year’s winner Almandin.
Glen Boss, who will be forever remembered for three magical rides on Makybe Diva in 2003, 2004 and 2005, tries to join Bobbie Lewis and Harry White as a four-time winner — the benchmark for riders.
1.2mm so far update later
— Mike Goodie (@MikeGoodie1) November 6, 2017
Daniel Sankey 7.41am: Can Marmelo back up?
Hughie Morrison, the trainer of the Melbourne Cup’s $8 favourite Marmelo, admits there is a slight concern over whether Marmelo can back up from a tough Caulfield Cup run in today’s Melbourne Cup.
Marmelo was the eye-catching runner out of the Caulfield Cup three weeks ago, flashing home to finish less than three lengths behind Boom Time in sixth.
“He had a hard enough race that day. You don’t have easy races in Group 1s but I think the last week he’s picked up,” Morrison told RSN Racing & Sport 927 Radio this morning.
Marmelo will jump from barrier 16 in the 23-horse field, and jockey Hugh Bowman will have the luxury of knowing his mount can race either forward or from behind.
“We’re very lucky we got Hugh. He liked the horse from the first time he rode him before the Caulfield Cup. It’s fantastic to have a really experienced local jockey to be riding our horse,” Morrison said.
“In a 23-runner race, it’s very difficult to lead the whole way. I don’t think that will be our tactic but you never know, if we get a break he could sit pretty in front. He’s won from in front and won from behind.”
Daniel Sankey 7.29am: Key gear switch for Wall of Fire
British trainer Hugo Palmer is hoping a last-minute gear change can prove to be a winning move for his key Melbourne Cup hope Wall Of Fire.
Currently a $12 Melbourne Cup on the TAB’s fixed odds market, Wall Of Fire flew home to finish a one-length second to Lord Fandango at his only Australian start, the 2400m Herbert Power Stakes at Caulfield on October 14.
The Canford Cliffs gelding carried 58kg there and drops to a handicap of just 53kg in the Melbourne Cup and he also picks up the services of top jockey Craig Williams.
In addition, Wall Of Fire will wear a visor for the first time, a move Palmer believes could add an extra length in performance. A visor is similar to blinkers, but prevents the horse seeing what is behind him.
“I’ve had a little bit of success with that (adding the visor) this season,” Palmer told RSN Radio this morning.
“Just a little change ... it sometimes maybe just finds an extra length. I thought today was a day when we needed an extra length in the Emirates Melbourne Cup.”
Palmer said the weight drop to 53kg was a huge advantage for Wall Of Fire, a relatively small stayer by European standards.
“He’s a gorgeous horse, (he has) a fantastic step to him as well. He carried 58kg in the Herbert Power and dropping down to 53kg today will really play to his strengths.”
Chip le Grand 7.20am: The mother of all Cup tips
Punters searching for an omen ahead of today’s Melbourne Cup need look no further than Marmelo, the favourite for the great race.
The sign is not in the horse’s pedigree, its recent form, or even the star jockey aboard.
It’s in the extraordinary family planning of its part-owner Ozzie Kheir and his wife Linsey.
When Kheir’s first Cup runner, Lucas Cranach, finished third in 2011, Linsey was heavily pregnant with their son Lenni.
Three years later, when Kheir’s part-owned Protectionist stormed home to win, Linsey was two weeks away from giving birth to their daughter Audrey.
This year, it’s the soon-to-be-born Axel, due any day, who’s keeping his mum away from Flemington and Kheir couldn’t be happier.
He has promised the horse’s other owners that if Marmelo takes out the $6.25 million race, he’ll keep the babies coming.
Read the full story here.
Patrick Smith 7.07am: Why we can’t cap foreign fleet
There are 11 international starters in today’s Melbourne Cup. Never have more foreign credentialed horses contested the handicap that is said to stop but mostly pauses a fair piece of the nation. Twice before has the race attracted 11 so we cannot quite yet say these foreign bodies are a dime a dozen.
But the global aspirants are building their numbers and honing their strategies. They are now as much a part of the Melbourne Cup theatre as sweeps, sore feet and thunderous heads the following day.
The chief executive of Racing Victoria is Giles Thompson. He knows he must both flirt with foreign entries but stay true to the locals. It is a fine balance. Here is how he’s achieving it.
Daniel Sankey 6.55am: Melbourne Cup tips, form guide
It’s a tough job to pick the Melbourne Cup winner at the best of times ... let alone when half the field is made up of foreign horses.
So we’ve enlisted respected trainer and racing media identity Richard Freedman to run his expert eye over all 23 runners in this year’s Cup field.
He’s picked out the runners he believes must go in your Melbourne Cup trifectas and first fours — so make sure you read his full preview here.
And if you don’t like being told who to back, we’ve got complete form for every runner as well.
The Australian’s racing experts have narrowed the Melbourne Cup down to three key chances — the $8 favourite Marmelo, Caulfield Cup placegetter Johannes Vermeer and defending champ Almandin.
Patrick Smith, Wally Mason, Tony Arrold and Channel Seven’s Bruce McAvaney will all have their hard-earned on Marmelo, with Courtney Walsh and Mike Wood from The Race Guide leaning to Almandin. The Australian’s Turf Editor Brendan Cormick likes Johannes Vermeer, as does Greg Denham.
6.40am: The signs point to Libran win?
A guest speaking role before the 2003 Melbourne Cup sparked Harry Herbert’s interest in the Melbourne Cup.
Through Highclere Racing, Herbert has his fourth runner in the Cup when the Chris Waller-trained Libran lines up in today’s race.
Highclere Racing was founded in 1992 and has become one of Europe’s leading syndicators and has had Cup runners with the Sir Michael Stoute-trained Distinction in 2004 and 2005 and the Waller-trained Opinion in 2014. Herbert has a lifelong interest in racing as the second son of the seventh Earl of Carnarvon, the Queen’s former racing manager.
Libran is 50/50 owned in the UK and Australia with Victoria Racing Club chairman Amanda Elliott a shareholder.
A trip to Melbourne as guest speaker at the Carbine Club in 2003 opened Herbert’s eyes to the Melbourne Cup and he knew he wanted to be a part of it. He had previously watched the race in the early hours at home in England but didn’t fully appreciate the atmosphere until being on course. “It’s a race like no other,” Herbert said.
“Having tasted a bit of that I was determined to bring a horse and we had a horse with Sir Michael Stoute that was good enough to come.
“Once you start on that process it’s very have to stop and we’ve looked for more horses and that’s what we’ll continue to do.”
Herbert has his fingers crossed Libran will do Highclere Racing proud on Tuesday and says it’s great to be associated with the chairman of the VRC. He said Libran was thwarted by wet tracks last preparation before finding form this campaign on drier footing.
“This prep has gone much better and ideally he likes good ground and he’s drawn well (7) to get a good run,” Herbert said.
“If he runs in the first 10 he will have done well while five and above, we’ll have a party.”
- AAP
6.30am: A Shocking repeat for Gai?
The Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott-trained Cismontane is aiming to become the first winner of the Lexus Stakes since Shocking in 2009 to claim the Melbourne Cup.
Cismontane put up a tough staying performance in Saturday’s Lexus (2500m) to earn his way to the Cup which Waterhouse won in 2013 with Fiorente. Brew in 2000 and Shocking are the only horses in the past 30 years to complete the double.
Until 2005, both first and second placegetters in the race were guaranteed a Cup start but since then only the winner automatically makes the field.
How the Lexus winners have fared in the Cup since 2005:
2005: Strasbourg (18th)
2006: Maybe Better (3rd)
2007: Sculptor (9th)
2008: Moatize (6th)
2009: Shocking (1st)
2010: Maluckyday (2nd)
2011: Niwot (8th)
2012: Kelinni (4th)
2013: Ruscello (23rd)
2014: Signoff (4th)
2015: Excess Knowledge (7th)
2016: Oceanographer (12th)
2017: Cismontane?
— AAP
6.25am: Honour for first Cup winner
Archer won the first two Melbourne Cups more than 150 years ago and yet there is no memorial to honour the champion thoroughbred anywhere in Australia. But that’s all set to change, according to the manager of Archer Racecourse in his NSW home town of Nowra.
Lynn Locke, long-serving chief executive of Shoalhaven City Turf Club, says plans are well underway to erect a life-size, bronze sculpture of Archer being led by trainer and five-time Cup winner Etienne de Mestre with jockey Johnny Cutts aboard.
De Mestre lived at Terara on the NSW South Coast, a stone’s throw from the racecourse bearing his horse’s name but more than 800 kilometres from Flemington where Archer twice raced to victory in the Melbourne Cup.
Sydney-based contemporary artists Gillie and Marc have won the tender for the memorial and have until Melbourne Cup day next year — November 6, 2018 — to cast the sculpture of the 1861 and 1862 champion.
Locke said the idea had been bandied around for years but was reinforced when retired race caller Bryan Martin questioned the lack of a memorial for Archer while on the Melbourne Cup tour through Nowra last year.
— AAP
Two old mates reunited
There wasn’t a dry eye in the house when wheelchair-bound jockey Tye Angland met an old 600kg friend.
Sunlight starts Everest campaign
Sunlight is set to begin a full campaign aimed at The Everest after she dashed up the Randwick straight in a 900m trial yesterday.