The Melbourne Cup will be run at Flemington on Tuesday (5th Nov). The course proper was rated a Good 4 on Monday and with fine weather in Melbourne over the next couple of days, Flemington will be racing on a Good track on raceday.
The European horses will come to the fore again in this year’s Melbourne Cup (Melbourne Race 7, 3200m). The Irish invader Vauban started as favourite in the Cup last year but could only finished 14th. He seems to be much better equipped this year. The 7YO has run well in all five starts in the UK at Group 1 and Group 2 level since his last visit. He won the Lonsdale Cup (3319m) two starts back before an outstanding 2nd in the Group 1 Irish St Leger (2800m). He is trained by that Irish wizard Willie Mullins and he has only been allotted with 55.5kg. He also has a mighty record of two wins and three placings from six starts at the trip. Drawn ideally in barrier 11, jockey William Buick will have the options in settling the gelding anywhere in mid-field and Vauban will showcase his staying prowess in the run home.
Geelong Cup winners had been having good records in the Melbourne Cup in recent years and Onesmoothoperator should add further merit to that statistic. The 7YO gelding did have good record in the UK where he came 7th in the form race, the Ebor Handicap (2816m), before finishing 4th in the Group 3 September Stakes. He took out the Geelong Cup last start in grand style, running away from the field and won easily. Craig Williams retains the ride and he certainly knows how to win the Cup having won on Vow And Declare in 2019.
The Ciaron Maher-trained Okita Soushi has slowly worked his way up to more suitable trip. He didn’t do a lot in his first two starts this campaign but when he stepped up to 2400m, he did finish a close 2nd to Herman Hesse in the Herbert Power before he took out the Group 2 Mooney Valley Cup (2500m). He is well weighted at 51kg and he is primed to run out a strong two miles. In a race without a lot of pace, Jamie Kah is likely to go to the lead and Okita Soushi could be the one they have to catch.
Editor’s Tips:
1st – Vauban
2nd – Onesmoothoperator
3rd – Okita Soushi
By Owens Wong
