Trainer Gai Waterhouse is on track to win her first Melbourne Cup after favourite Fiorente drew barrier five for Tuesday’s $6 million race.
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Fiorente’s price remained rock solid at $7 for the Melbourne Cup with Betstar after the barrier draw, while Mount Athos eased in betting from $8 out to $9 after drawing barrier 22.
“Mount Athos has eased slightly in betting after drawing wide,” Betstar’s Alan Eskander said.
“He was $8 but is now out to $9, while there has been no change in the market for favourite Fiorente who remained rock solid at $7 after drawing barrier 5 and he will be certain to attract some strong attention. We would expect him to start favourite on race day with some big money sure to arrive over the next few days.”
2012 Melbourne Cup winner Green Moon has firmed from $41 into $34 after drawing well in barrier 10, while Michael Owen’s runner Brown Panther will jump from gate six and has also shortened in betting as a result.
“Green Moon will be sure to attract support, having won last year’s race off a similar run in the Cox Plate,” Eskander said.
“With an ideal barrier and blinkers going on, many will be hoping this is enough to overcome the weight he will be asked to carry. He has firmed from $41 into $34 for this year’s Cup.
“Brown Panther has the fanfare of Michael Owen surrounding him, along with some very good European form. From barrier 6 he can position where he pleases and gets his chance to show his best, so as a result we’ve wound him in from $26 into $21.”
Eskander expects the pace will be set early by Tres Blue, Mourayan and Ruscello.
“With those three gallopers all drawing wide, hopefully we will see some speed injected into the race early on. It has been well documented that last years running was very much a sit sprint, which only suited certain runners,” he said.
“It will be interesting this year, especially with quite a few horses being queried as to whether they can run the two miles strongly.”
Meanwhile Kirramosa has leapt into Crown Oaks favouritism after an impressive win in the Wakeful Stakes at Flemington on Saturday.
Kirramosa’s price was slashed by Betstar into $3.50 from $8, while May’s Dream has eased in betting from $3.30 out to $5 after being convincingly beaten.
May’s Dream now shares second favouritism for Thursday’s Crown Oaks along with Zanbagh.
“In the end it was a dominant win by Kirramosa and the Wakeful is the best lead up to the Oaks year in year out,” Eskander said.
“She gave May’s Dream windburn in the straight, and it is very hard to see anything turning the tables on Thursday.
“Obviously Zanbagh is still the unknown, with us not having been able to line her up against them today.
“But it looks like John Sargent has a very progressive filly here in Kirramosa, and I have no doubt punters will rally for her over the coming days.”
