It's Melbourne Cup day! Not sure who to back? The TAB's runner-by-runner guide has everything you need to know about those in the field.
Tuesday 5pm, Flemington Race 7
1. Anthony Van Dyck
Odds: Win $9.50, Place $3.10
Barrier: 3
Weight: 58.5kg
Trainer: Aidan O'Brien
Jockey: Hugh Bowman
A fantastic European stayer whose first-up run in Australia - the Caulfield Cup - was one of the runs of the day. Was wide the whole way and closed in to just fall short of Verry Elleegant. Hasn't raced over the distance, but the trainer is a genius. Looks to be ready for this.
2. Avilius
Odds: Win $31, Place $7.75
Barrier: 10
Weight: 57kg
Trainer: James Cummings
Jockey: John Allen
Ran nicely in the Caulfield Cup. Has been around for a while, but others are classier and the big weight is an issue for him.
3. Vow and Declare
Odds: Win $34, Place $8
Barrier:4
Weight: 57kg
Trainer: Danny O' Brien
Jockey: Jamie Mott
Last year's winner under a very light weight - that seems a lifetime ago now. Has struggled since that win. Carrying a big weight.
4. Master of Reality
Odds: Win $19, Place $5.50
Barrier: 11
Weight: 56kg
Trainer: Joseph O'Brien
Jockey: Ben Melham
Was within a head of winning this race last year, before being relegated to fourth. Easily won the Her Majesty Plate two months ago, but hasn't run in Australia since last year's race. Can definitely run 3200m and is in winning form - set to go close.
5. Sir Dragonet
Odds: Win $12, Place $3.10
Barrier: 14
Weight: 55.5kg
Trainer: Ciaron Maher & David Eustace
Jockey: Glen Boss
Stormed home to win the Cox Plate last start and is yet to finish outside the money this year. Will be around favouritism after its last run. The jockey on board certainly knows how to win the Melbourne Cup - shaping up to run a big race.
6. Twilight Payment
Odds: Win $18, Place $5.25
Barrier: 12
Weight: 55.5kg
Trainer: Joseph O'Brien
Jockey: Jye McNeil
Shaping up to run a decent race at odds, but Hugh Bowman switching from this horse, which he rode last year, to Anthony Van Dyck is perhaps the biggest tell - place at best.
7. Verry Elleegant
Odds: Win $12, Place $3.80
Barrier: 15
Weight: 55.5kg
Trainer: Chris Waller
Jockey: Mark Zahra
One of the hottest horses in Australasia right now. Has won four of her last six races, all Group One races, including the Caulfield Cup. Has come of age this prep, looks well up for this, is tough as nails. Likely to need a little bit of rain to soften the track - will go close.
8. Mustajeer
Odds: Win $61, Place $16
Barrier: 2
Weight: 55kg
Trainer: Kris Lees
Jockey: Michael Rodd
Ran well in the Sydney Cup earlier this prep. Happy to leave alone here at massive odds. A win or a decent run would be very surprising.
9. Stratum Albion
Odds: Win $26, Place $7.25
Barrier: 9
Weight: 55kg
Trainer: Willie Mullins
Jockey: Jordan Childs
Deserves a spot in the Melbourne Cup, but international form doesn't stack up, compared to some of the other European stayers.
10. Dashing Willoughby
Odds: Win $51, Place $12
Barrier: 19
Weight: 54.5kg
Trainer: Andrew Balding
Jockey: Michael Walker
European stayer who will need to significantly improve to feature in this. Faded massively in the Caulfield Cup.
11. Finche
Odds: Win $18, Place $5.25
Barrier: 6
Weight: 54.5kg
Trainer: Chris Waller
Jockey: James McDonald
Is always there or thereabouts. Ran seventh in last year’s Cup, has had a decent prep and gets one of the best jockeys in the land in James McDonald on his back for the first time. Is a stayer - will be close.
12. Prince of Arran
Odds: Win $10, Place $3.30
Barrier: 1
Weight: 54.5kg
Trainer: Charlie Fellowes
Jockey: Jamie Kah
Runner-up in last year’s edition of the Melbourne Cup. Ran an exceptional last 600m of the Caulfield Cup last month and is peaking at the right time. Will be very hard to hold out, gets the gun draw.
13. Surprise Baby
Odds: Win $8, Place $2.80
Barrier: 7
Weight: 54.5kg
Trainer: Paul Preusker
Jockey: Craig Williams
Ran fifth in last year's Cup and has only raced twice since then, the last outing being the Turnbull Stakes, where he finished ninth. Has ability and finished strong last year over the 3200m.
14. King of Leogrance - now scratched
Barrier: 18
Weight: 53.5kg
Trainer: Danny O'Brien
Jockey: Damian Lane
Won the Adelaide Cup earlier this year in very impressive fashion. Was one of the Cup favourites after that win, but failed to fire in the Turnbull Stakes and wasn't great last start. Will be at big odds - worth an each-way shot.
15. Russian Camelot
Odds: Win $12, Place $3.80
Barrier: 16
Weight: 53.5kg
Trainer: Danny O'Brien
Jockey: Damien Oliver
Disappointing last two runs. Was one of the hottest tickets in Australia last month but left people scratching their heads after Cox Plate. Won the South Australian derby in fine fashion earlier this year and can run a big race.
16. Steel Prince
Odds: Win $26, Place $7.25
Barrier: 21
Weight: 53.5kg
Trainer: Anthony & Sam Freedman
Jockey: William Pike
Won well as favourite in the Geelong Cup. Ran well in this race last year. Will be at decent odds - you could do much worse.
17. The Chosen One
Odds: Win $23, Place $6.50
Barrier: 5
Weight: 53.5kg
Trainer: Murray Baker & Andrew Forsman
Jockey: Daniel Stackhouse
Kiwi-trained horse who was leading the Caulfield Cup with 200m to go. Finished well back in the 2019 Cup. Is a true stayer, as seen in the Sydney Cup this year. Will be at big odds, you could do worse.
18. Ashrun
Odds: Win $18, Place $5.25
Barrier: 24
Weight: 53kg
Trainer: Andreas Wohler
Jockey: Declan Bates
Was one of the runs of the race in the Geelong Cup, then won well in the Hotham Stakes on Saturday to qualify as the final horse. Has 8kg less on the back from Saturday's run - huge chance at decent odds.
19. Warning
Odds: Win $31, Place $7.75
Barrier: 8
Weight: 53kg
Trainer: Anthony & Sam Freedman
Jockey: Luke Currie
Deserves his chance at this race after last year’s Victoria Derby win, but hasn't fired since. Very surprising if he wins.
20. Etah James
Odds: Win $71, Place $17
Barrier: 22
Weight: 52.5kg
Trainer: Ciaron Maher & David Eustace
Jockey: Billy Egan
Upset win in the Sydney Cup earlier this year, but like others, has failed to show any signs of a big run so far this prep.
21. Tiger Moth
Odds: Win $6.50, Place $2.40
Barrier: 23
Weight: 52.5kg
Trainer: Aidan O'Brien
Jockey: Kerrin McEvoy
Lightly raced four-year-old who has only started in four races. Never raced in Australia and is yet to be seen over 2400m. Is yet to beat a horse that has gone on to win a race.
22. Oceanex
Odds: Win $61, Place $16
Barrier: 17
Weight: 51.5kg
Trainer: Price/Kent
Jockey: Dean Yendall
Has won at this venue before, but there seem to be classier horses in the race and is battling a heel issue. Will be at big odds.
23. Miami Bound
Odds: Win $26, Place $7.25
Barrier: 13
Weight: 51kg
Trainer: Danny O'Brien
Jockey: Daniel Moor
Won the Moonee Valley Gold Cup with ease and was full of running at the line. Has won at Flemington before over 2500m. Around the $20 price mark - a great chance at those odds.
24. Persan
Odds: Win $26, Place $7.25
Barrier: 20
Weight: 51kg
Trainer: Ciaron Maher & David Eustace
Jockey: Michael Dee
Carrying a lightweight and is having an amazing prep. Has won five of the last seven races, including the Bart Cummings to make the field. Is a good horse, just don't think it has the class to win this.
Prediction:
1st - Anthony Van Dyck: The way he hit the line at the Caulfield Cup in his first race in Australia suggests he will be up for the extra distance. Gets a good draw and as long as he can get clear air down the mammoth straight, will get all the chances with Bowman on board.
2nd - Prince of Arran: Ran a gorgeous last 200m at the Caulfield Cup and finished very well in last year’s Melbourne Cup. Gets the inside draw and if you're superstitious, the last horse to win on the inside draw was called Prince of Penzance in 2015. Will go really close.
3rd - Verry Elleegant: Probably the form horse in the continent at the moment. Loves knuckling down and getting to work over distance, is going all guns blazing. Looks good odds too.
4th - Ashrun: Really liked this horse's run a couple of starts ago at Geelong, then even more his last start to secure a place in the Cup. If it can get over the horrible draw, look for the five-year-old to hit the line strong.
This article was created for TAB
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