Well, not really a preview but our selections and a few notes. The only thing we are 100% certain of is that after the running of the race, the Melbourne Cup markets will be completely changed and more then likely have a new favourite. The Caulfield Cup more then any other race has the greatest impact on the Melbourne Cup market, aside from scratchings of course. So come about 4:06:30 or there about, talk will turn to which horse had the best Melbourne Cup runs outside of the Caulfield Cup winner. So keep your eyes open for fast finishers.
This year, we have found it hard to narrow down a selection on the Caulfiled Cup with a number of horses ticking a few boxes but not all. It would appear the betting public in general has the same issues given the openness of betting markets.
We’ll probably have these boxed up in some exotics as there is not enough confidence around to pick one out, if Predatory Pricer had a gate inside 11 as opposed to the wide 16 then it would be our sole selection. Given that, if it can settle and race mid field as opposed to pushing forward it will be hard to beat.
For other races
Caulfield Race 6 – Harrolds Stakes No.3 Typhoon Tracy (If it wins each way on Vigor in the Caulfield Cup as a rough chance)
Caulfield Race 7 - David Jones Cup No.7 Shocking
Caulfeild Race 9 – Caulfield Sprint No.9 Phelan Ready
Randwick Race 4 – Inglis Handicap No.2 Bandar
Randwick Race 6 – Tattersalls Cup No.5 Macknuckle
Eagle Farm Race 4 – O’Donnell Griffin No.1 Sneaky Long
Enjoy, and we hope you have a successful Caulfield Cup day
Sportsbet in the Northern Territory have taken on their biggest client with the customer placing a $1 million wager on Weekend Hussler to win today’s Underwood Stakes as being reported in today’s SMH.
It would appear as though punters are backing Weekend Hussler only and leaving a lot of the others alone, so expect to see some great odds about for Maldivian, Pompeii Ruler and Light Fantastic. The main question however has to be the 1800m and can Weekend Hussler dominate like he has up to 1600. Weekend Hussler is only proven up to 1600m, mind you his biggest win so far this preparation by 2.5 lengths was his last start over 1600 in the Maykbe Diva Stakes. Light Fantastic seemed to be off his race that day and Maldivian was not there. I think this will be a bigger test, not just for the 1800 but a tougher group across the board to try and beat home.
From our Melbourne Cup perspective, while a lot of the action will take place at the pointy end of the field. We need to be keeping an eye our for the following runners looking to continue their Melbourne Cup preparations: Douro Valley, The Fuzz, Viewed, Zarita and Riva San. None of these runners really have a chance today, altough I would not be surprised if Zarita popped up for a place, but key an eye out for these horses hitting the line.
Also, race 9 at Caulfield has a few Melbourne Cup potential runners in, Dolphin Jo, Zavite and Leica Falcon, come back for posts
The JJ Liston Stakes was run Saturday 16th August and saw a number of the 2008 Melbourne Cup hopefuls setup out for the first time since spelling after the Autumn carnvials. Of the horses of interest, Maldivian, Zavite, Weekend Hussler, Kibbutz, Alamosa and Light Fantastic were all resuming. The lead up to this race was all about last seasons 3 year old heavy weights Weekend Hussler (the one to beat) and Light Fantastic ( the main threat).
