Even if you’re not into racing, most of us feel at least a little excited about the Melbourne Cup which runs tomorrow.
‘The race that stops a nation’ will be broadcast live at 3.00pm on Tuesday. Nearly all of Melbourne gets the day off; and offices around the country enjoy an excuse for a long lunch before next month’s round of Christmas parties start.
The Melbourne Cup will be presented by Camilla, Duchess of Cornwall on a day which is currently forecast to be rain clearing with light winds in the afternoon and a maximum of 26 degrees.
Whether you’re into a sweep at work, or a $5 flutter or you have the day off and are enjoying the festivities, here’s our unscientific top 8 hot tips.
Wherever you are, enjoy the occasion!
Dunaden (France) – number 1
- This year’s Caulfield Cup winner and last year’s winner of this race, Dunaden has continued to improve and is also looking good. His recent form means he is top weight, but many pundits say jockey Craig Williams is due for a win.
- Colours: yellow with aqua stars, yellow cap.
Americain (USA) – number 2
- Forget his form (which is very good by the way), but how can you go past a horse with this name which is running the race of its life on the same day as the US Presidential election? He has won before and with jockey Damien Oliver on board, looks pretty good this year also.
- Colours: red, white and blue stars and stripes of course with matching cap.
Red Cadeaux (England) – number 4
- Despite the French name, this horse is from England and was the narrowest of narrow 2nd place getters last year. His trainer, Ed Dunlop, vowed to return to try again this year to be the first English trainer to win the Melbourne Cup. With Charles and Camilla as VVIP guests, you never know.
- Colours: red and aqua diamonds, red cap.
Mount Athos (England) – number 8
- Expect this horse to be heavily backed by the Chinese (who like anything with number 8) and the Greek communities – the latter because Mount Athos is a holy mountain very important in the Greek Orthodox faith. He has a good weight and comes into the race with good form, and perhaps Chinese luck and Orthodox prayer on his side.
- Colours: coffee and gold with starts, coffee coloured cap.
Ethiopia (Australia) – number 10
- A name that reflects our multicultural community and probably the best chance an Australian born and bred horse has in this year’s Melbourne Cup. The experts say it might be a year too early for him, but he has had some impressive starts this year with a fourth in the Cox Plate and a win in the ATC Derby in April.
- Colours: green and blue stripes.
Galileo’s Choice (Ireland) – number 12
- A previous Cup winner on two occasions and a horse who can run on the flat or over hurdles. But he had a horrid trip from Ireland, taking 48 hours instead of 24 and he may not yet have recovered fully from jet lag. Having said that, trainer Dermot Weld has proven he knows what he’s doing. And if it’s a wet track, he could be a favourite.
- Colours: purple with bright yellow sleeves and cross, yellow cap.
Malucky Day (Australia) – number 15
- A son of the well-bred Zabeel, Malucky Day has battled injury for the past two years but was literally born to run in this race. He is getting back to top fitness and is capable of doing well as his strong second in the Geelong Cup - seen as one of the good pointers to Melbourne Cup form - showed. Owned by fruit & vege king, Nick Moraitis, so at least Malucky Day is very healthily fed!
- Colours: pink, white and taupe with a taupe cap.
Kelinni (England) – number 24
- It may be unusual to include a number 24 horse in a list of possibles, but Kelinni is a good horse who showed in the Lexus Stakes on Saturday that he has the talent to stay this race. He has been in Sydney with trainer Chris Waller for over a year, and has former Cup winner Glen Boss on board.
- Colours: brown with white cross and yellow in the sleeves, yellow cap.
Our tip?
Americain
Who else is running?
Here are the rest of the runners. As we said, our list is unscientific so these 16 have as much chance as the 8 we’ve previewed ... maybe.
- Jackalberry – number 3
- Winchester – number 5
- Voila Ici – number 6
- Cavalryman – number 7
- Sanagas – number 9
- Fiorente – number 11
- Glencadam Gold – number 13
- Green Moon - number 14
- Mourayan – number 16
- My Quest for Peace – number 17
- NIWOT – number 18
- Tac de Boistron – number 19
- Lights of Heaven – number 20
- Precedence – number 21
- Unusual Suspect – number 22
- Zabeelionaire – number 23
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