The Final Field and Barriers have been released for Australia’s biggest race of the year, the Melbourne Cup which will be run on Tuesday at 3PM where the nation will stop to watch the 3200m event. We take a look at each of the 24 horses in the Field and we give our preview, tips and bets for the race as well as a look at the odds.
Melbourne Cup (Group 1) 3200m, Tuesday 6 November, 2018
$7,050,000
1. Best Solution
Trainer: Saeed Bin Suroor
Jockey: Pat Cosgrave (57.5kg)
Barrier: 6
Odds: $13/$4
Dominant winner of the Caulfield Cup last start who is looking to be the first horse to complete the Caulfield Cup/Melbourne Cup double since Ethereal in 2001. Trained by Saeed Bin Suroor, the last start Caulfield Cup winner appears to have trained on well by all reports, and is in tip top condition for the Melbourne Cup. Prior to his Caulfield Cup victory, the son of Kodiac had won back to back Group 1’s in Germany, both over 2400m. He has a chance because he will put himself on the speed, and get every chance from there, but against him is the unknown around whether he is more effective over 2400m as opposed to the 3200m on offer here.
2. The Cliffsofmoher
Trainer: Aiden O’Brien
Jockey: Ryan Moore (56.5kg)
Barrier: 9
Odds: $16/$4.60
The Cliffsofmoher placed in the Caulfield Cup last start and off that performance he gave every indication that a step up in distance to 3200m would be suitable. He settled near the rear of the field that day, but managed to battle home quite well behind Best Solution to finish third. He’s had two runs in Australia which should suit and with Ryan Moore booked to ride he is clearly the number one seed from the Aiden O’Brien Yard outside of Yucatan, who scored an eye-catching win in the Group 2 Herbert Power Stakes.
3. Magic Circle
Trainer: Ian Williams
Jockey: Corey Brown (56kg)
Barrier: 17
Odds: $9/$3
Since joining the Ian Williams Yard, Magic Circle has done nothing but impress, and stamp his claims on being a genuine Melbourne Cup contender. His last two runs have been nothing short of extraordinary, first he displayed an electrifying turn of foot in the Chester Cup over 3749m, to win by six lengths and then following that win he took out the Henry II Stakes at Sandown winning by over six lengths. In both his performances he has responded to the rider with ease when answered, and appears to possess a strong staying ability, as well as a sharp turn of foot required to win a Melbourne Cup. The fact he has won beyond 3200m suggests to The Wolf that the distance will not be an issue, and the booking of Corey Brown is a strong one, as he has won two Melbourne Cups previously. Leading chance.
4. Chestnut Coat
Trainer: Yoshito Yahagi
Jockey: Yuga Kawada (55.5kg)
Barrier: 4
Odds: $31/$8.50
Japanese import who was defeated by 10 lengths in the Caulfield Cup. He’ll need to have improved sharply off that performance if he wants to be competitive here. In his favour is that he is Group 2 placed in Japan, and has also won over 2400m on multiple occasions, albeit against a weaker grade of horse. Prefer others.
5. Muntahaa
Trainer: John Gosden
Jockey: Jim Crowley (55.5kg)
Barrier: 13
Odds: $11/$3.40
Ebor Handicap winner who has proven himself as a stayer that can perform well over 2800m and beyond. He won the Ebor Handicap by over three lengths, with 61kg on his back, and in that race he showed no signs of stopping, indicating to The Wolf that step up in distance to 3200m would not be a problem. He’s a flashy grey horse who very good form to Australia, around horses like Best Solution, Hawkbill, Duretto and Idaho; all of whom would be expected to be very competitive in this. Top five chance.
6. Sound Check
Trainer: Michael Moroney
Jockey: Jordan Childs (55.5kg)
Barrier: 16
Odds: $31/$8.50
Sound Check is German Import who finished twelfth in his Australian debut in the Caulfield Cup. Prior to his twelfth, he had placed behind Best Solution in the Grosser Preis Von Berlin, suggesting to The Wolf the form around him is strong and had he not settled so far back in the Caulfield Cup that he may have been more competitive. In his favour is that he has won over 2800m and 3200m before, proving to The Wolf that the distance is no issue. He’ll be looking to do what Protectionist did in 2014, and become the second German import to win the Melbourne Cup. Top 10 chance.
7. Who Shot Thebarman
Trainer: Chris Waller
Jockey: Ben Melham (55.5kg)
Barrier: 18
Odds: $34/$9
Who Shot Thebarman is a grand old stayer who has placed third, fifth and eleventh in the Melbourne Cup previously. Earlier this year he won the Group 1 Sydney Cup over 3200m, and stamped his claims on a potential Melbourne Cup tilt. He’ll stay all day, and his run in the Moonee Valley Cup prior to this was excellent, against him however is that the Sydney Cup this year wasn’t an overly strong edition, and if he is to win this he will have needed to have improved sharply. He’ll run very well without winning.
8. Ace High
Trainer: David Payne
Jockey: Tye Angland (55.5kg)
Barrier: 22
Odds: $61/$15
Ace High won last year’s Victoria Derby, and since then has won the Group 2 Hill Stakes at Randwick, his latest run however was rather poor, as he finished 15th behind Best Solution in the Caulfield Cup. In his favour however is that he is a much better horse at Flemington, however he’s drawn barrier 22 of 24, and he is expected to do a lot of work early. Not here.
9. Marmelo
Trainer: $16/$4.60
Jockey: Hugh Bowman (55.5kg)
Barrier: 10
Odds: $16/$4.60
Marmelo is the forgotten horse in the race, as in last year’s edition he was sent out equal favourite, however managed to finished ninth after running a very good race in the Caulfield Cup. He comes into this first up which suits, and off his last start second in the Prix Kergorlay he rates as an excellent chance. He’s twice a winner over 3000m and from barrier 10 he maps to get a very good run throughout. The stable clearly prefers him first up, as he comes into this straight away. He’ll run a very good race at double figures. Top three chance.
10. Avilius
Trainer: James Cummings
Jockey: Glyn Schofield (54.5kg)
Barrier: 11
Odds: $13/$4
Avilius has been nearly faultless in his preparation for this, and prior to Yucatan’s win in the Herbert Power he was actually a warm favourite to win this race. Since arriving in Australia from France, the son of Pivotal has won four from five, and his only taste of defeat came in the Cox Plate behind Winx. Prior to his arrival in Australia, Avilius had placed behind Cracksman at Group 2 level, which reads very well for this as Cracksmen has he is currently rated as one of the best horses in the world. Avilius is unknown over 3200m, but his win in the Bart Cummings over 2500m was very good, and The Wolf suspects that he will be able to handle the 3200m on offer in this. Contender.
11. Yucatan
Trainer: Aiden O’Brien
Jockey: James McDonald (54.5kg)
Barrier: 23
Odds: $5/$2
Yucatan skyrocketed into Melbourne Cup contention, following his dominant win in the Group 2 Herbert Power Stakes last start, where he led all of the way before being eased up on the line to win by a length. He could have very easily have won by six lengths or more, but James McDonald elected to ease him down and save him for his grand final; The Melbourne Cup. His performance that day is very hard to ignore, and although he is drawn wide, he appears to have the gate speed to cross and settle himself somewhere close to the speed then he’ll give himself every chance. Top three chance.
12. Auvray
Trainer: Richard Freedman
Jockey: Tommy Berry (54kg)
Barrier: 1
Odds: $61/$15
Well beaten in the Sydney St Leger last start over 2600m, he didn’t show a great deal that day to suggest that he would be winning a Melbourne Cup. In his favour however, is that he has won over 3000m twice before in his career, and his fourth place in this year’s Sydney Cup was full of merit. Prefer others.
13. Finche
Trainer: Chris Waller
Jockey: Zac Purton (54kg)
Barrier: 15
Odds: $26/$7
Last start third placegtter in the Geelong Cup over 2400m, who prior to that had been running in some solid form races in France, including a strong placing behind Tiberian at Deauville. For a first up performance in Australia his third in the Geelong Cup was good, but he is an unknown commodity out to 3200m and his previous form over 2400m without winning doesn’t indicate that he will be a better horse over 3200m.
14. Red Cardinal
Trainer: Darren Weir
Jockey: Damien Oliver (54kg)
Barrier: 5
Odds: $41/$11
Red Cardinal holds two wins over 3200m across his short 15-start career, both against very good company in the Group 2 Oleander-Rennen, and then in the Group 3 Belmont Gold Cup in New York. He can clearly stay, but since his two staying wins he has shown very little, and The Wolf has doubts around whether he can reach that level again. The stable must be respected, and Damien Oliver sure knows how to win a Melbourne Cup, but he looks to be an exotics chance at best.
15. Vengeur Masque
Trainer: Michael Moroney
Jockey: Patrick Moloney (54kg)
Barrier: 2
Odds: $51/$13
Michael Moroney trained stayer who has won over 2500m and 2600m previously in his career, however since then he has been running unplaced in Listed and Group 3 races. His run in the Caulfield Cup was improved, but he looks well out of his depth against this field.
16. Ventura Storm
Trainer: David & Ben Hayes & Tom Dabernig
Jockey: Mark Zahra (54kg)
Barrier: 7
Odds: $26/$7
Strong win in the Moonee Valley Cup at Group 2 level last start over 2500m, he was well backed that day and managed to salute in style. Prior to that he hadn’t recorded a single win in Australia, and his form is far too inconsistent to get excited, especially for a Melbourne Cup. He’s a Group 1 winner in Italy, but this is a massive step up in class and The Wolf isn’t expecting him to win, he had his win a fortnight ago at Moonee Valley.
17. A Prince Of Arran
Trainer: Charlie Fellowes
Jockey: Michael Walker (53kg)
Barrier: 20
Odds: $17/$5
Trained by Charlie Fellowes, A Prince Of Arran has raced in four countries this year – the United Kingdom, Dubai, USA and now Australia, where he recorded his latest win in the Hotham Handicap over 2500m. Prior to his Hotham Handicap win his form overseas was mediocre, but the best of his runs came in the Group 2 Belmont Cup over 3200m, displaying to The Wolf that he could stay. However, he has previously lined up against both Yucatan and Magic Circle, the latter of which defeated him by nine lengths in the Chester Cup and The Wolf is struggling to see how he turns the tables on him here. Prefer others.
18. Nakeeta
Trainer: Iain Jardine
Jockey: Regan Bayliss (53kg)
Barrier: 3
Odds: $61/$15
Nakeeta returns here for his second Melbourne Cup, after placing fifth in this race last year behind Rekindling. Since then his form has been patchy at best, where he has finished unplaced in all six of his starts, including a last start 13th place behind Ventura Storm in the Moonee Valley Cup. Admittedly he will be better at Flemington, but The Wolf doesn’t doesn’t expect him to finish any better than the fifth place he finished last year.
19. Sir Charles Road
Trainer: Lance O’Sullivan & Andrew Scott
Jockey: Dwayne Dunn (53kg)
Barrier: 53kg
Odds: $91/$21
Sir Charles Road is a New Zealand galloper, who holds just the one win in Australia, in the Group 2 Chairman’s Stakes. Since then he has performed admirably, placing at Group 1 level in the Sydney Cup and also a last start third in the Bendigo Cup, where he finished only half a length off the winner. He can stay, and he has shown that across his career, but The Wolf has doubts around whether he has the class to match it with the European Raiders, especially as they have been winning everything thus far. Not here. Maybe a Sydney or Adelaide Cup in 2019.
20. Zacada
Trainer: Murray Baker & Andrew Forsman
Jockey: Damian Lane (53kg)
Barrier: 24
Odds: $126/$26
Zacada is another who comes through the Sydney Cup, where he was narrowly defeated by a fast finishing Who Shot Thebarman over the 3200m distance. Since then his form has been patchy at best, and he hasn’t recorded a single top three finish. He was beaten by eight lengths in the Bart Cummings and then seven lengths in the Geelong Cup, and The Wolf is struggling to see how can turn around his form and win this. He’s another who potentially will find his way to a Sydney or Adelaide Cup in 2019, and be very competitive.
21. Runaway
Trainer: Gai Waterhouse & Adrian Bott
Jockey: Stephen Baster (52kg)
Barrier: 12
Odds: $31/$8.50
Runaway ran away with it at Geelong in the Cup and although he won well that day, The Wolf can’t see him doing it again, especially against this calibre of opposition. Trained by Gai Waterhouse & Adrian Bott, this son of Manhattan Rain will look the winner for at least half of the race, but whilst his position in running ensures that he gets his chance, he lacks the class to be winning, especially against the northern hemisphere gallopers.
22. Youngstar
Trainer: Chris Waller
Jockey: Craig Williams (51.5kg)
Barrier: 8
Odds: $16/$4.60
Queensland Oaks winner who finished a distant seventh in the Caulfield Cup, although she was beaten by five lengths that day, she put in a very encouraging performance that a step up 3200m may suit. She travelled wide and sat at the rear of the field that day, only to circumnavigate Caulfield. Prior to that she ran an eye catching second to Winx, indicating to The Wolf that she has the class to be competitive here. She’s drawn very well in barrier 8 for jockey Craig Williams and with only 51.5kg on her back she is expected to close off the race well. The Wolf doubts that she will be winning, but she will far from disgrace herself against a few of these. Craig Williams will need to be positive on her to ensure that she gets her chance, especially from the inside draw.
23. Cross Counter
Trainer: Charlie Appleby
Jockey: Kerrin McEvoy (51kg)
Barrier: 19
Odds: $9/$3
Cross Counter’s form leading into this has been very strong, as he won at Ascot over 2414m before taking out the Group 3 Gordon Stakes at Goodwood. Since then he has placed second at Group 2 level at York and stamped his claims on a potential cup tilt. He must be respected coming from the Godolphin stable, as they have nearly been winning everything, but against Cross Counter is that he had a small setback, where he cut his leg, and although reports suggest that he has healed, missing crucial work before a 3200m race isn’t ideal and The Wolf prefers others because of this.
24. Rostropovich
Trainer: Aiden O’Brien
Jockey: Wayne Lordan
Barrier: 21
Odds: $26/$7
Rostropovich led in the Cox Plate, only to be beaten by nine lengths, but that was clearly just a pipe opener for this, his grand final. His form in the United Kingdom has been quite strong, where he has placed in the Group 2 Kind Edward VII Stakes and also the Irish Derby behind stablemate Latrobe, who is currently fancied to win the Emirates Stakes on Saturday, November 10. Rostropovich scored an excellent Group 3 win two starts ago, and off that he is expected to be competitive but as Ryan Moore is booked to ride The Cliffsofmoher this guy appears to Coolmore’s second stringer behind him.
Top 5
1. Magic Circle (3)
2. Yucatan (11)
3. Marmelo (9)
4. Avilius (10)
5. Best Solution (1)