There was a lot of action over the weekend not just here in Australia but around the globe for the build up to the 2008 Melbourne Cup.
Maldivian was a valiant 4th in the Group II Dato Tan Chin Nam Stakes at Moonee Valley on Saturday. Maldivian had to do a lot of work alone to chase down the early leaders Sir Slick and Jungle Ruler before running out of juice and overtaken by Guillotine, Casual Pass and Tears I Cry, the race did nothing more then put cash in the bookies pockets to be honest. This was not a race for Maldivian, not even sure why he ran it myself, maybe the connections thought it was an easy Group 2 win. I think he is being a little over raced and if reports are correct that he’ll be lining up in the Underwood Stakes again Weekend Hussler and Light Fantastic, might be overdone come Cox Plate and Caulfield Cup time.
Tuesday Joy meanwhile firmed in Melbourne Cup betting with a win in the Group II Stocks Stakes flashing home late to snatch it from Devil Moon that was in my mind the best horse in the race. Devil Moon jumped from gate 13 well and pushed up early and had to sit 4 wide the entire circuit and to be just beaten by Tuesday Joy was a great run, I’ll be all over Devil Moon next start if he draws a good gate. And a note for all those thinking of Tuesday Joy repeating Makybe Diva’s Caulfield Cup – Melbourne Cup double, with a win at Moonee Valley, Tuesday Joy could easily start the Cox Plate and then into the Melbourne Cup skipping the Caulfield Cup.
Meanwhile over in the ‘ol dart, Septimus dominated the Irish St Leger against an inferior field to win by 13 lengths and replace Efficient as the Melbourne Cup favourite with TAB Sportsbet moving him into $6.50. Just to mention it, back in March on Betfair you could have got Septimus for $70, I have mate who reminds me daily about his early Cup tip. The only barrier now for Septimus and Adian Obrien will be the tighter quarantine regulations for horses coming into Australia; they will have to make a decision early to ensure Septimus gets over here.
And as a note, I was really looking forward to Ice Chariot in last years Melbourne Cup before it was a late scratching, it resumed with a nice 3rd in the Theo Mark Stakes behind Hurried Choice.
Top TAB Odds at 15th September 2008
| Sportsbet No. | Runner | Win | Place | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 34737 | SEPTIMUS. | 6.50 | 2.37 | |
| 34578 | EFFICIENT. | 7.50 | 2.62 | |
| 34771 | TUESDAY JOY. | 11.00 | 3.50 | |
| 34643 | LITTORIO. | 15.00 | 4.50 | |
| 34782 | WEEKEND HUSSLER. | r: #3a3a3a; font-size: 10px;" align="right">15.00 | 4.50 | |
| 34611 | GUILLOTINE. | 17.00 | 5.00 | |
| 34660 | MAYBE BETTER. | 17.00 | 5.00 | |
| 34657 | MASTER OREILLY. | 21.00 | 6.00 | |
| 34776 | VIEWED. | 21.00 | 6.00 | |
| 34648 | MAD RUSH. | 21.00 | 6.00 | |
| 34550 | CEST LA GUERRE. | 21.00 | 6.00 | |
| 34632 | KIBBUTZ. | 21.00 | 6.00 | |
| 34687 | NOM DU JEU. | 26.00 | 7.25 | |
| 34712 | RED LORD. | 26.00 | 7.25 | |
| 34651 | MALDIVIAN. | 26.00 | 7.25 | |
| 34791 | ZAGREB. | 26.00 | 7.25 | |
| 34741 | SIRMIONE. | 31.00 | 8.50 | |
| 34616 | HONOLULU. | 31.00 | 8.50 | |
| 34708 | PROFOUND BEAUTY. | 31.00 | 8.50 | |
| 34783 | YEATS. | 31.00 | 8.50 | |
| 34795 | ZIPPING. | 31.00 | 8.50 | |
| 34511 | ALL THE GOOD. | 31.00 | 8.50 | |
| 34669 | MOATIZE. | 41.00 | 11.00 | |
| 34536 | BOUNDLESS. | 41.00 | 11.00 |
September 15th, 2008 at 11:21 pm
dont forget zippings run! had to swing 10 wide on the turn to obtain a clear run, then hit top gear when asked with 59kg on its back. 1600m was way to short, and was reeling them 2:1 bounds in the straight!
September 16th, 2008 at 6:33 pm
Mate, I was (and have been on numerous replays since) been watching Zipping’s run was very wide around the tight MV track and was coming come well over 1600m, getting out to 2400+ will be a massive advantage. Could be the one