Bart Cummings has begun his quest for a 13th Melbourne Cup confirming last years winner Viewed and AJC Derby winner Roman Emperor in Sydney undertaking light trackwork after the post Autumn carnival spells. The last AJC Derby winner to kick on and win the Melbourne Cup as a four year old was Phar Lap in 1930.

In other Melbourne Cup news, it appears that the fall-out of EI from 2007 will continue to keep Japanses horses away from the Melbourne Cup, which for the locals is probably a good thing with the way Deltra Blues and Pop Rock put everyone to the sword in 2006. At least the likes of Viewed, Efficient and Tuesday Joy will be able to continue their punishment of those from the UK, one way to ensure the Cup stays down-under.

And finally for those in New Zealand, it looks like Cambridge is looking to set itself as New Zealand’s offical Melbourne Cup region with plans to host NZ’s large, most public Melbourne Cup celebration this year. Why Cambridge you ask? Well, it has been the home of 14 Melbourne Cup winners, with eight having an association with Cambridge Stud. So if you are in NZ and want to embrace the Melbourne Cup on the first Tuesday in November then Cambridge is your place, almost as good as being there. For more information visit, The First Tuesday Trust.

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?

Read the full story

The 2008 Melbourne Cup is set to run 4th November at Flemington once again this year.  The various betting agencies were very busy putting up their initial markets last week and interestingly they have Efficient as the starting favouriate at $13.  As a long time follower of the Melbourne Cup I am constantly surprised by this, last years winner will almost always head the opening market stakes.

We all know that there have only ever been four horses that have backed up with a win the next year, Archer, Rain Lover, Think Big and Makybe Diva (this great mare won three in a row), so why do betting agencies look to start the prevvious years winner so close or at the top of the odds?  Well the short answer is that plently of people will bet and ‘donate’ their money!

Read the full story