Last years winner and one time 2008 Melbourne Cup favouriate Efficient is out of the Melbourne Cup after suffering an injury at trackwork this morning (29th October 2008). I have mixed feelings at this, good as I have been laying the thing on betfair for the last month and negative as this means a quality Australian horse is out and just adds more weight to the possibility that an international is going to win.

Having said that, with Sirmione also out, I’ll 99.9% more then likely be cheering a foreign horse down the Flemington straight just after 3pm 4th November.

Further, what is bad news for all the Efficient fans is good news for the 2008 Geelong Cup winner who now moves closer to ensuring a start in the Cup now into 24th spot on order of entry, with a few to possibly to still be stractched and the Saab Quality winner to possibly come in.

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.

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The Rosebud RSL Handicap over 1519m was run 23rd August 2008 at Moonee Valley and unlike the McEwen provided insight into the early form of a few possible Melbourne Cup chances

Second up and 2007 Geelong Cup winner Mandela ($71 Melbourne Cup odds) who likes to get forward early battle on for 2nd three lengths away from an all way win for Conquering ($5.20).  The one that really caught the eye flying home for 3rd was Lords Ransom ($21 Melbourne Cup odds), sat back just off the pace during the race and really did come come very qucily.  Lords Ransom does like it longer so this first up run looks impressive for the 5 year old and should be one for us to keep a close eye on as we move closer to 4th November for the Melbourne Cup.

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We are still over 11 weeks away from the 2008 Melbourne Cup, but I thought I would put forward my Top Melbourne Cup Chances.  Now, these are most certainly not selections I have a very specific method that I go through that requires actual races leading into the Cup.  This method has been highly successful in providing if not the winner, place getters and something to really cheer on the day.  Since I have started using this method (you will need to purchase the upcoming ebook and members area to find out the detail) my selections have been, Purple Moon in 2007 (2nd), Pop Rock and Maybe Better in 2006 (2nd & 3rd), On A Jeune in 2005 (2nd), Zazzman in 2004 (3rd) and Makybe Diva 2003 (1st).

So, big deal, 1 from 5, that’s only 20%.  I am sure that there are people out there that have selected the winner more then that, but have the been able to through a specific method always get either the winner or place getter?

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