Four 2019 Melbourne Cup Contenders
Another renewal of the race that stops a nation, the Group 1 Lexus Melbourne Cup, is fast approaching. Flemington Racecourse in Melbourne becomes the centre of the equine universe on Tuesday, 5th November.
Some of the leading Melbourne Cup contenders are trained in the British Isles and the date already has significance in the UK and Ireland. It’s Bonfire Night for the Brits, but this race Down Under promises sporting fireworks.
Which racehorses are believed to have what it takes to land one of the richest handicaps in the world? Let’s take a look.
Finche
Powerful international owner Prince Khalid Abdullah has found Melbourne Cup success elusive. Last year’s fourth, Finche bids to go better in his second crack at the race and heads to Flemington with a win under his belt.
Now trained by Chris Waller in Australia, this gelding sired by the legendary Frankel is a homebred from Prince Khalid’s Juddmonte Farms bloodstock operation. Finche used to be trained in France by Andre Fabre where he won two group races.
A recent success at Royal Randwick in Sydney is why he’s moved to the head of the Melbourne Cup horse racing betting with 888 at 14/1. That put Finche as ante post joint-favourite alongside Cross Counter, who could go back to Flemington to defend his crown.
Mustajeer
Former Ger Lyons trained gelding Mustajeer has already plundered one valuable staying handicap after winning the Ebor at York in August. He has since moved stables and gone Down Under to join Kris Lees.
It’s a clear indicator that the Melbourne Cup is the intended target for this son of Medicean. What’s behind his switch Down Under is a change of part-ownership. A repeat of his Ebor Festival triumph puts Mustajeer right in the mix and he’s solid each-way value in the Melbourne Cup at 20/1.
Marmelo
Like Finche, British raider Marmelo represents last season’s form when he beaten a length by Cross Counter. Hughie Morrison’s stable star has since done more than the winner to advertise the form.
Marmelo has won two races and that could well have been three, had French stewards not thrown out an appeal lodged by connections over a controversial race at Longchamp. He put that disappointment behind him, however, when readily scoring on another trip across the English Channel.
His performances this season show Marmelo retains plenty of ability and, with little to find on Cross Counter who he’ll be better off at the weights with from 12 months ago, he’s a clear Melbourne Cup contender at 16/1.
Master Of Reality
Irish trainer Joseph O’Brien has teamed up with Lloyd Williams – the most successful racehorse owner in Melbourne Cup history – in this race before, saddling Rekindling to the spoils in 2017.
The pair have an even classier stayer in Vintage Crop Stakes winner Master Of Reality. This Frankel gelding then ran the race of his life when beaten just a length into third by dual European champion stayer Stradivarius in the Gold Cup at Royal Ascot.
It was an incredible display from a 66/1 outsider over a marathon two-and-a-half miles. Master Of Reality has since run well at The Curragh when third and fifth over a shorter distance. At odds of 25/1, he is also worth considering each-way – especially as he’s closely matched with Cross Counter.