Wandering Eyes

Beach Ball bounces into IRT New Zealand Cup field The final rankings are out for the IRT New Zealand Trotting Cup at Addington next Tuesday (Nov 14), with Beach Ball making the most of one last chance to make the field. Last week the Kevin Chapman-trained Somebeachsomewhere four-year-old was ranked 18th and three places away from the Cup field, but he is now up to 15th (and into the Cup field) after beating fellow Cup runners Macandrew Aviator, American Me and Republican Party at Addington last Friday night. A winner of 10 races from 35 starts, this will be Beach Ball’s first New Zealand Cup. The recent withdrawals of Self Assured and the Spirit Of St Louis, who were both in the top ten, have prompted a reshuffle in the rankings. Among them, Australian visitor Swayzee has moved one place to sixth, and Old Town Road and Krug have moved up two places to seventh and eighth. In the biggest race for the trotters, the Renwick Farms Dominion Trot at Addington on Show Day (Friday, November 17) there has been just one change. Fresh from his win at Addington on Friday night, ahead of I Dream Of Jeannie and Bolt For Brilliance, Smokin Bandar has moved up one spot to ninth. The field for the Dominion will be determined following the running of the Hornby Liquor Centre Worthy Queen Handicap Trot (Group 3) on IRT New Zealand Cup day next Tuesday. The first three home in that race will automatically qualify for the Dominion, three days later. To see the latest rankings click here View the full article

The nominations for the 33rd Cartier Racing Awards, to be presented Thursday, Nov. 9 at the Dorchester Hotel in London, have been revealed with Ace Impact (Ire) (Cracksman {GB}), Auguste Rodin (Ire) (Deep Impact {Jpn}), Mostahdaf (Ire) (Frankel {GB}), and Paddington (GB) (Siyouni {Fr}) named as finalists for Cartier Horse of the Year. Many in contention in other categories made appearances at the Breeders' Cup, including GI Breeders' Cup Filly & Mare Turf victrix Inspiral (GB) (Frankel {GB}) for Cartier Older Horse; Mawj (Ire) (Exceed And Excel {Aus}) and Warm Heart (Ire) (Galileo {Ire}) for 3-Year-Old Filly; Live In The Dream (Ire) (Prince of Lir {Ire}) for Sprinter; and Porta Fortuna (Ire) (Caravaggio) for 2-Year-Old Filly. The post 2023 Cartier Racing Awards Finalists Announced appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Spendthrift Farm's homebred Tamara (Bolt d'Oro), a daughter of Hall of Famer Beholder (Henny Hughes), has been sidelined with a fractured splint bone in her left hind leg, the farm revealed in a Facebook post on Monday. The 2-year-old filly most recently finished seventh as the favorite in the GI NetJets Breeders' Cup Juvenile Fillies on Friday. “Richard Mandella has informed us that Tamara came out of the Breeders' Cup with a small fracture of the splint bone in her left hind leg that will not require surgery,” the post said. “She will get some much deserved rest as she recovers.” The post Tamara Sidelined With Fractured Hind Splint Bone appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Timber Town Farm's main location on Leestown Road in Lexington, Ky has been purchased and renamed Pine Branch Farm, new owners Meredith Krupp and Lee Warren announced on Monday. It will continue operate as a full-service boarding facility. Notable horses raised on the 130-acre property in recent years include GI Belmont S. winner Tonalist (Tapit) and MGSW Charge It (Tapit), as well as Horse of the Year Havre de Grace (Saint Liam), champions Songbird (Medaglia d'Oro) and Groupie Doll (Bowman's Band), and GI Breeders' Cup Ladies Classic winner Unrivaled Belle (Unbridled's Song). “I think there are different facets of the equine business that draws people to the industry including the love of racing, the commercial side of the business or the pure joy in raising of the animal itself,” Krupp said. Krupp will serve as the farm's manager while Warren will work on the business side. The post Krupp, Warren Purchase Timber Town Farm appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Jockeys Ryan Moore and Irad Ortiz Jr. were penalized by the California Horse Racing Board stewards following their rides aboard Auguste Rodin and Goodnight Olive, respectively, in the Breeders' Cup World Championships. View the full article

Newsells Park Stud will increase the fee for Nathaniel (Ire) to £17,500 from £15,000 thanks to a strong year which included two new Group 1 winners: Poptronic (GB) and G1 Goodwood Cup victor Quickthorn (GB). The son of Galileo (Ire) had a busy covering season in 2023, with 165 mares sent his way. Without Parole (GB), who is set to have his first juvenile runners in 2024, will stand for £8,000, and A'Ali (Ire) remains at £5,000 for his third season. All are Special Live Terms. “The indubitable Nathaniel continues to deliver top-class winners year after year and his latest duo of Group 1 winners, Quickthorn and Poptronic, simply confirm him as a stallion of exceptional quality and value,” said Julian Dollar, general manager of Newsells Park Stud. “Remarkably, only Frankel, Dubawi and Sea The Stars surpass him in having sired a larger number of three-year-old-plus Group 1 winners since 2018 in Europe. When one considers that the 'cheapest' of those was standing for €180,000 this year, it should tell breeders once and for all what an underrated stallion Nathaniel really is.” The post Newsells Park Stud Announces 2024 Stallion Fees appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

The stud fee for MGISW Dr. Schivel (Violence) for his initial season at stud at Taylore Made Stallions in Nicholasville, Kentucky, has been set at $12,500 S&N, the farm announced on Monday. Campaigned by Red Baron's Barn, Rancho Temescal, Reeves Thoroughbred Racing, and William A. Branch and trained by Mark Glatt, the 5-year-old amassed a career line of 15-7-2-3, $1,347,100. He won the 2020 GI Runhappy Del Mar Futurity, 2021 GI Bing Crosby S. and the GII Santa Anita Sprint Championship in 2021 and 2023 and placed in three other graded stakes events. The post Stud fee for Dr. Schivel Set at $12,500 appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Frankel (GB), who is set to become champion sire for the second time at the end of this year, has had his fee increased to a career high of £350,000 for 2024. Along with Dubawi (Ire), this makes him the joint-highest-priced stallion in Europe. Juddmonte has released the fees for its five European stallions, with Kingman (GB) remaining unchanged at £125,000 after a year in which his leading runners have included the top sprinter Kinross (GB) along with French Group 1 winners Sauterne (Fr) and Feed The Flame (GB). Kingman covered 157 mares last year, while Frankel was sent 196. This season's 2,000 Guineas winner Chaldean (GB) joins his sire Frankel at Banstead Manor Stud and will be introduced at a fee of £25,000. The roster stalwarts Oasis Dream (GB) and Bated Breath (GB) will stand for £15,000 and £10,000 respectively. Simon Mockridge, general manager of Juddmonte UK, said, “[This year] has been another outstanding season for the Juddmonte stallions. A season which sees Frankel poised to win his second champion sire title in the last three years and a year where the Juddmonte roster was the leading stallion farm at Royal Ascot. “Kingman closes 2023 as the sire of more three-year-old stakes winners than Frankel, Into Mischief, Galileo and Dubawi. Significantly, Frankel and Kingman, who currently sit first and third in the European sires' list, are responsible for 64 individual stakes winners between them in 2023 alone. Of these, 39 are group winners, with 14 of them winning at the highest level, further consolidating their positions as two of the world's elite stallions.” He added, “The roster has been further strengthened by the exciting addition of Frankel's most precocious son Chaldean. His physique, conformation, and Classic credentials should give him every opportunity to succeed. We look forward to welcoming breeders to the farm to view the stallions by appointment.” The post Frankel Raised to £350,000 as Juddmonte Fees Announced appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

Cody Dorman, the inspirational teen who was suffering with Wolf-Hirschhorn syndrome and whose love affair with the two-time GI Breeders' Cup Dirt Mile winner Cody's Wish (Curlin), warmed the hearts of everyone in the sport of horse racing, died Sunday while en-route from Santa Anita to his home in Kentucky. The news was released by Godolphin on Monday morning in the form of an announcement from his parents, Kelly and Leslie Dorman. The announcement read: “We are heartbroken to share the news that our beloved Cody suffered a medical event on our trip home to Kentucky yesterday and he has passed away. On Saturday, Cody watched his best friend, Cody's Wish, display his usual perseverance and toughness in winning a second Breeders' Cup. Those are the same characteristics Cody has showed time and again for the 18 years we were blessed to have him. We have been completely amazed to experience the impact Cody has had on so many people, through the journey that this wondrous racehorse has taken us all on. From Churchill Downs, to Keeneland, to Saratoga, to Santa Anita this weekend, we could not move 20 feet without someone stopping to tell us just that. “With Cody's diagnosis at birth, we always knew this day would come, but we were determined to help Cody live his best life for however long we had him. Anyone who has seen him at the racetrack, especially around Cody's Wish, understands that in many ways he taught us all how to live, always keeping a positive attitude and being more concerned about those around him than himself.” Following the news of Dorman's death, the Breeders' Cup issue the following statement: “The entire Breeders' Cup team is devastated by the news of Cody Dorman's passing yesterday. His story captured our hearts and minds, and his strength, spirit, and determination were fittingly embodied by his namesake's commanding performances in his honor. We send our sincere condolences to the Dormans, who gave our sport so much by welcoming us into their family.” As a young teenager, Dorman–who would have turned 18 next month–and his family visited Gainsborough Farm in Kentucky thanks to Keeneland and the Make-A-Wish Foundation. Despite being in a wheelchair, Cody's Wish–at the time an unnamed foal–sniffed the boy and put his head in his lap, forming a bond between the horse and the boy that would last throughout the colt's career, which ended Saturday with his second Breeders' Cup win. Dorman and his family were able see a number of the 5-year-old's 16 career races in Kentucky, New York and California and were in the winner's circle for both Breeders' Cup victories. In lieu of flowers, the family asks for donations be made to Make-A-Wish Ohio, Kentucky & Indiana. Funeral arrangements are pending. The post Cody Dorman, Inspiration Behind Cody’s Wish, Passes Away a Day After Breeders’ Cup appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

LEXINGTON, KY- The Fasig-Tipton November Sale, which has surpassed $100-million in gross the last two years, returns with another typically glitzy renewal Tuesday at Newtown Paddocks. Bidding on the first of 271 catalogued offerings begins at 2 p.m. “We are very excited about the overall quality of the catalogue,” said Fasig-Tipton President Boyd Browning. “I think our in-foal mares are definitely stronger than they've been in the past and we have some exceptional younger horses that are going to be offered. It's a tremendous group of young racing and broodmare prospects. The quality is really, really deep and we are very fortunate about that.” The one-session auction begins with a selection of 135 weanlings–down from the 181 weanlings catalogued to begin the sale in 2022. “We actually made a conscious effort this year to tighten the weanlings,” Browning said. “That's why there are fewer weanlings in the catalogue this year. You've got to have a really quality horse to sell well in November. It's the sale of the year and you're competing against some really top pedigrees and physicals. And the last thing we want to do is put somebody in the wrong spot. So some of the horses who may have sold OK in the past on the weanling side of things, we are tightening the selection criteria and as a result, we have fewer weanlings. I think buyers are still going to love the quality of weanlings that they are going to find overall.” The Breeders' Cup championship weekend at Santa Anita provided several updates to the Fasig-Tipton November catalogue, headed by champion Goodnight Olive (Ghostzapper), who won her second GI Breeders' Cup F/M Sprint Saturday. The 5-year-old mare will be offered Tuesday as hip 237 through the Elite consignment. Also making the flight from Santa Anita to Lexington following a Breeders' Cup appearance, Canadian Horse of the Year Moira (Ghostzapper) will be offered as hip 156 after her third-place effort in the GI F/M Turf. She is consigned by Hill 'n' Dale at Xalapa. The dams of a trio of Breeders' Cup runners-up will also be offered Tuesday evening, with Belle's Finale (Ghostzapper) selling as (hip 212) while carrying a full-sibling to GI Turf second-place finisher Up to the Mark (Not This Time). The mare's weanling colt by Maxfield follows her into the ring. Both are consigned by Taylor Made Sales Agency. Hoppa (Uncle Mo) will be offered through the Hill 'n' Dale at Xalapa consignment as hip 257 while carrying a full-sibling to GI Juvenile runner-up Muth (Good Magic). Vigui's Heart (Quality Road), dam of GI Juvenile Turf Sprint runner-up Valiant Force (Malibu Moon), and in foal to Vekoma, will be offered Tuesday as hip 198. Her weanling filly by Mitole sells as hip 72. Both are consigned by Mill Ridge Sales. Elite sales will present Toni Tools (Roaring Fever), dam of GI Juvenile Fillies third-place finisher Candied (Candy Ride {Arg}) as hip 254, while Eaton Sales consigns a Tiz the Law weanling half-sister to GI Juvenile third-place finisher Locked (Gun Runner) as hip 15. The glittering catalogue also features champions Nest (Curlin) (hip 163) and Wonder Wheel (Into Mischief) (hip 200), as well as GI Kentucky Oaks winner Secret Oath (Arrogate) (hip 180), and Queen Caroline (Blame) (hip 171), the dam of champion Forte (Violence), carrying a foal from the first crop of champion Flightline. “We are very, very optimistic and very excited about the catalogue this year,” Browning said. While there has been some weakening at the lower strata of the market, demand has remained strong at the top. Browning expects that to remain true in the November sale's elite marketplace, but did offer a cautious reminder to sellers. “I think there is some insulation, hopefully, in the segment of the market that the November sale serves,” Browning said. “I think it's going to be highly competitive, but I think we also need to be realistic as we look at the entire marketplace that the same trends that we saw at the yearling sales and 2-year-old sales are going to continue at the broodmare sales. You better have quality and if you don't have that top quality–if you have some holes in your produce or your covering date or your covering sire, you need to be very realistic as you approach setting your reserves and what your expectations are with regard to the overall marketplace in terms of broodmares. I think weanlings will be the same exact trend that we are seeing at the yearling sales–great, great competition for the ones that are deemed highly desirable and it will be a little weaker for those that don't 'make the mark.' So you're going to have to be realistic in setting your reserves and evaluating, do you sell this year or do you hold on until the yearling sales next year.” The Fasig-Tipton November sale surpassed the $100-million mark in gross for the first time in 2021 when 149 lots sold for $103,699,000. In 2022, the auction saw 169 horses sell for $101,214,000. Those sparkling results don't come without some added pressure, according to Browning. “You go through it year after year–one of the good things and one of the bad things is, 'What do we do for an encore?'” Browning said. “It's always a nerve-wracking apprehensive sale because there are a lot of expectations and there is a lot of pressure that we put on ourselves and that the owners expect us to deliver. It's a great opportunity and a great responsibility. Hopefully we will be sitting here on Tuesday night having a glass of champagne and celebrating another remarkable November sale.” The post Stars Set to Shine at Fasig-Tipton November Sale appeared first on TDN | Thoroughbred Daily News | Horse Racing News, Results and Video | Thoroughbred Breeding and Auctions. View the full article

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Jockey Club stewards unable to reach verdict despite marathon sitting at Happy Valley on MondayView the full article

Champion jockey, who will ride as light as he has in almost four years when he jumps on Absurde on Tuesday, does not envisage any flow-on benefits from his effortsView the full article

Ben Melham is always a jockey in hot demand having won key Group 1 races like the Golden Slipper, but how many times has he won the race that stops a nation? Ben Melham Melbourne Cup results Ben Melham is one of the gun local jockeys in Melbourne and has ridden for many of the big stables. His best result in a Melbourne Cup was when he finished runner-up in the 2017 Melbourne Cup aboard the Lloyd Williams-owned Johannes Vermeer Which horse is Ben Melham riding in the 2023 Melbourne Cup? Ben Melham does not have a ride in the 2023 Melbourne Cup. 2023 Melbourne Cup Final Field No. Silks Horse Trainer Jockey Barrier Weight Odds 1 Gold Trip Ciaron Maher & David Eustace James McDonald 2 58.5kg +340 2 Alenquer Michael Moroney Damien Oliver 9 56.5kg +5000 3 Without A Fight Anthony & Sam Freedman Mark Zahra 16 56.5kg +600 4 Breakup Tatsuya Yoshioka Kohei Matsuyama 18 55kg +1700 5 Vauban Willie Mullins Ryan Moore 3 55kg +240 6 Soulcombe Chris Waller Joao Moreira 4 53.5kg +1000 7 Absurde Willie Mullins Zac Purton 8 53kg +2200 8 Right You Are Ciaron Maher & David Eustace John Allen 15 53kg +7000 9 Vow And Declare Danny O’Brien Billy Egan 19 53kg +3000 10 Cleveland Kris Lees Michael Dee 23 52kg +2600 11 Ashrun Ciaron Maher & David Eustace Kerrin McEvoy 11 51.5kg +4000 12 Daqiansweet Junior Phillip Stokes Daniel Stackhouse 12 51.5kg +9000 13 Okita Soushi Joseph O’Brien Dylan Gibbons 20 51.5kg +7000 14 Sheraz Chris Waller Beau Mertens 22 51.5kg +12500 15 Lastotchka Mick Price & Michael Kent (Jnr) Craig Williams 21 51kg +2500 16 Magical Lagoon Chris Waller Mark Du Plessis 7 51kg +9000 17 Military Mission Gai Waterhouse & Adrian Bott Rachel King 5 51kg +4500 18 Serpentine Gai Waterhouse & Adrian Bott Jye McNeil 1 51kg +6000 19 Virtuous Circle Liam Howley Craig Newitt 6 51kg +9000 20 More Felons Chris Waller Jamie Kah 24 50.5kg +3000 21 Future History Ciaron Maher & David Eustace Hollie Doyle 13 50kg +2600 22 Interpretation Ciaron Maher & David Eustace Teo Nugent 17 50kg +6000 23 Kalapour Kris Lees Zac Lloyd 14 50kg +5000 24 True Marvel Matthew Smith Ben Thompson 10 50kg +15000 READ ALSO: MELBOURNE CUP BEGINNERS GUIDE BEST MELBOURNE CUP BETTING SITES View the full article

The 2023 Melbourne Cup is just around the corner and in arguably the hardest race to predict on the Australian racing calendar, any way you can extend your margin of error is like gold for punters. Smart bookmakers know the importance of making its customer’s dollars count, which is why the company has opened extended markets for the race that stops a nation. This year several horse racing bookmakers like Ned and Ladbrokes are offering bets for horses to run in the top 5, or in the top 10 horses across the line first. The regular win and place bets will be available for the race, but anyone wanting to give themselves a little bit more insurance heading into tomorrow’s big one can bet on their horse to finish inside the top five or top 10. We took a look at the best horses you should bet on in each market to make yourself some cash on the most important day in Australian racing. Best options for Top 5 betting market in the Melbourne Cup 2. Alenquer (9) T: Michael Moroney J: Damien Oliver W: 56.5kg F: 00×059 Age: 6YO Color: Bay Sex: Gelding Sire: Adlerflug (GER) Dam: Wild Blossom (GER) +5000 9.25 3. Without A Fight (16) T: Anthony & Sam Freedman J: Mark Zahra W: 56.5kg F: x11x61 Age: 7YO Color: Brown Sex: Gelding Sire: Teofilo (IRE) Dam: Khor Sheed (GB) +600 2.80 5. Vauban (3) T: Willie Mullins J: Ryan Moore W: 55kg F: 34211x Age: 5YO Color: Chestnut Sex: Gelding Sire: Gallway (GB) Dam: Waldfest (IRE) +240 1.60 8. Right You Are (15) T: Ciaron Maher & David Eustace J: John Allen W: 53kg F: 1×2505 Age: 7YO Color: Bay Sex: Gelding Sire: So You Think (NZ) Dam: Leica Ding (NZ) +7000 16.00 13. Okita Soushi (20) T: Joseph O’Brien J: Dylan Gibbons W: 51.5kg F: 115130 Age: 6YO Color: Bay Sex: Stallion Sire: Galileo (IRE) Dam: Amicus (UNR) +7000 16.00 Alenquer is quote at +550 in top 5 Melbourne Cup betting, while Without A Fight and Vauban are right at the top of the Top 5 betting markets at -111.11 and a -181.82 respectively. Right You Are is priced the same as Alenquer at +550, while Okita Soushi is +900 in top 5 betting. Best options for Top 10 betting markets in the Melbourne Cup If you are going to have a punt on the 2023 Melbourne Cup Top 10 betting market, you’ll need to go wide to find reasonable odds, given almost half the field will finish in the top 10. 14. Sheraz (22) T: Chris Waller J: Beau Mertens W: 51.5kg F: 1×2341 Age: 7YO Color: Bay Sex: Gelding Sire: Sea The Stars (IRE) Dam: Shemiyla (IRE) +12500 23.00 18. Serpentine (1) T: Gai Waterhouse & Adrian Bott J: Jye McNeil W: 51kg F: 129243 Age: 7YO Color: Chestnut Sex: Gelding Sire: Galileo (IRE) Dam: Remember When (IRE) +6000 10.00 23. Kalapour (14) T: Kris Lees J: Zac Lloyd W: 50kg F: 3L7331 Age: 7YO Color: Bay Sex: Gelding Sire: War Command (IRE) Dam: Daldiyna (FR) +5000 11.00 Sheraz will go around in the mMelbourne Cup as a +240 chance to run in the first 10 horses home for trainer Chris Waller. Both Serpentine and Kalpour will be sent out as $2.25 chances to run in the top 10. The 2023 Melbourne Cup will be one of the biggest betting events of the year. Australian gamblers are spoiled for choice nowadays when it comes to online betting options, but the question remains: which bookmaker offers the best Melbourne Cup betting odds? Best odds at 2023 Melbourne Cup betting sites All of the online bookmakers featured on HorseBetting.com.au offer competitive prices for every runner in the 2023 Melbourne Cup betting market. Check out the table below to compare the latest 2023 Melbourne Cup odds for your favourite horses. Best bookmakers for 2023 Melbourne Cup odds HorseBetting.com.au only features Melbourne Cup betting sites that offer quality products, great value and top-shelf customer service. Check out the links below to find out more and get started. Featured casinos 2023 Melbourne Cup Odds Flemington – Race 7 Lexus Melbourne Cup Status: Open Track Rating: Good4 Weather: overcast AUS 3200m03:00pm – Tue 7th Nov Place Win 1. Gold Trip Ciaron Maher & David Eustace ᐅ Best odds atNeds 151 26 2. Alenquer Michael Moroney ᐅ Best odds atNeds 151 26 3. Without A Fight A & S Freedman ᐅ Best odds atNeds 151 26 4. Breakup Tatsuya Yoshioka ᐅ Best odds atNeds 151 26 5. Vauban Willie Mullins ᐅ Best odds atNeds 151 26 6. Soulcombe Chris Waller ᐅ Best odds atNeds 151 26 7. Absurde Willie Mullins ᐅ Best odds atNeds 151 26 8. Right You Are Ciaron Maher & David Eustace ᐅ Best odds atNeds 151 26 9. Vow And Declare Danny O’brien ᐅ Best odds atNeds 151 26 10. Cleveland Kris Lees ᐅ Best odds atNeds 151 26 11. Ashrun Ciaron Maher & David Eustace ᐅ Best odds atNeds 151 26 12. Daqiansweet Junior Phillip Stokes ᐅ Best odds atNeds 151 26 13. Okita Soushi Joseph O’brien ᐅ Best odds atNeds 151 26 14. Sheraz Chris Waller ᐅ Best odds atNeds 151 26 15. Lastotchka Mick Price & Michael Kent Jnr ᐅ Best odds atNeds 151 26 16. Magical Lagoon Chris Waller ᐅ Best odds atNeds 151 26 17. Military Mission G Waterhouse & A Bott ᐅ Best odds atNeds 151 26 18. Serpentine G Waterhouse & A Bott ᐅ Best odds atNeds 151 26 19. Virtuous Circle Liam Howley ᐅ Best odds atNeds 151 26 20. More Felons Chris Waller ᐅ Best odds atNeds 151 26 21. Future History Ciaron Maher & David Eustace ᐅ Best odds atNeds 151 26 22. Interpretation Ciaron Maher & David Eustace ᐅ Best odds atNeds 151 26 23. Kalapour Kris Lees ᐅ Best odds atNeds 151 26 24. True Marvel Matthew Smith ᐅ Best odds atNeds 151 26 Melbourne Cup Runner-by-Runner betting guide & racing tips Melbourne Cup Runner-by-Runner betting guide & racing tips View the full article

Lance Noble is hoping for a more routine race-day at Pukekohe Park on Tuesday, as he presents several top chances including Aquacade in the feature Gr.3 Balmerino Stakes (2050m). Noble’s last journey to the South Auckland-based course ended in disaster with Luberon, the classy filly throwing away her chances in the Gr.2 Soliloquy Stakes (1400m) when ducking outwards at the 150m and colliding with the outside running rail. Fortunately, Luberon and visiting Australian jockey Celine Gaudray walked away unscathed, and the daughter of Embellish remains on target for next weekend’s Gr.1 Barneswood Farm New Zealand 1000 Guineas (1600m) at Riccarton Park. “Luberon is very well, she trialled last week which was really good after the disaster at Pukekohe last start, so hopefully we’ll have a better day tomorrow than last time we were there,” Noble quipped. He will have a good opportunity with a key contender in the main event in Aquacade, the talented mare coming off an eye-catching first-up run in the Listed Matamata Cup (1600m). She looked like she may spoil race-favourite Legarto’s party when looming large inside at the 150m, but eventually finished three-quarters-of-a-length off her younger rival. “She’s really well, it was a great effort fresh-up against Legarto,” Noble said. “It was going to be about five weeks in between runs so we gave her a trial at Te Rapa last week and she surprised us there winning over 1000m, so I think she’s pretty right for tomorrow.” A daughter of middle-distance powerhouse Dundeel, Aquacade steps up to a more preferred 2050m distance in the feature at Pukekohe’s Melbourne Cup race-day, assisted by the services of premiership-leading hoop Warren Kennedy in the saddle. Aquacade will contest a smaller seven-horse field in the Balmerino, including the likes of this year’s Gr.2 Auckland Cup (3200m) victor in Platinum Invador, as well as classy middle-distance performers in Defibrillate, Aromatic and Dionysus. “2000m should suit her, she’s got a good record at Pukekohe and she measures up pretty well, there’s some smart horses in there and she’s the second-youngest of the lot as a five-year-old mare. “In the smaller field everyone should get their chance, Pukekohe has such a long straight so I’m sure she’ll get her opportunity,” Noble said. The bookmakers strongly favour the mare’s chances as she currently sits at an opening quote of $1.70, with the Lisa Latta-trained Platinum Invador at $4.40. Noble, who is the private trainer for Cambridge Stud’s Brendan and Jo Lindsay, will also have two key chances in the other feature event, the Listed Fulton Family Stakes (1500m). The first of these is consistent Zoustar gelding Habana, the five-year-old resuming strongly with a narrow third behind Johny Johny in the Gr.3 Sweynesse Stakes (1200m), and brings an impeccable record of four wins from five starts at the venue. “He’s come through that well, he’s a lot stronger this year than he was last year and his record at Pukekohe is really strong,” Noble said. “He is carrying 59kg in a handicap and drawn a bit awkwardly but I’m really happy with where he is going into the race. Irish mare Terra Mitica was imported by the Lindsay’s from the United Kingdom as a future broodmare prospect, and will seek maiden black-type success with Jasmine Fawcett aboard carrying a favourable 53kg. A two-time winner over 2000m in her origin country, the Ulysses five-year-old surprised Noble with a flashing turn-of-foot over 1400m at Te Rapa in her first New Zealand start, coming from near last at the home turn to finish less than a length from the winner and Pukekohe race-rival Zaila. “This race timing wise may be a little bit short for her, but the long straight will suit her and drawing wide she’ll probably get back and hopefully be storming home late under the light weight. “We’re hoping to enhance her value before she goes to stud next season, but she’s shown enough for us to say we can hopefully get some black-type with her in New Zealand.” The Karaka trainer will also present some nice chances in the undercard including three-year-old filly About Time in the NZB Ready To Run Trainers Series 1200, who was solid on debut when third behind an impressive About A Girl at Tauranga. “She was solid first-up and got beaten by a pretty good horse,” Noble said. “She’s drawn the outside so it’s not going to be easy for her, she’s only having her second start and drawing 16’s not ideal but we’ll get a really good line on her tomorrow. If she ran in the first four or five I’d be over the moon.” Four-year-old mare Flamebird will have the advantage of the ace draw in a competitive Hallmark Stud 1400, having produced two solid finishes to date this preparation. “She was a good third last time, this is her first time going past 1200m but she’s drawn one so should get an economical run if she gets the breaks,” Noble said. “She showed a fair bit of promise last year and I think she’s getting back to that form now, so we expect her to go well.” Impending mare Ominous will also be seeking her maiden victory in the Up The Wahs 1600, after performing smartly fresh-up over 1400m to finish runner-up behind Elton Rocks. “She went well fresh-up and she’s improved with that, so the 1600 should suit her. Eventually we’re hoping to get her up to 2000m and with the long straight everything gets their chance.” View the full article

A change of approach has presented Lib Petagna with a shot at Australasia’s top staying prize. The Wellington-based bloodstock identity shares in the ownership of the Kris Lees-trained Kalapour, who won his way into Tuesday’s Gr.1 Lexus Melbourne Cup (3200m) at Flemington with victory in the Gr.3 Archer Stakes (2500m). The Irish-bred stayer will drop 6kg from Saturday to a luxurious 50kg with apprentice Zac Lloyd to ride the lightly raced son of War Command. Kalapour came on the radar of Lees and bloodstock agent Justin Bahen after a middle-distance success in Ireland and minor placings from his other three starts. “He showed some promise in the UK so Kris and Justin bought him,” Petagna said. “I don’t usually go into these European stayers, but they were pretty positive about him so I thought why not and took a share and lucky enough to have pulled the right rein.” The gelding is a half-brother to the stakes winner Kalaxana with their dam the Daylami mare Kaladena, a half-sister to the dual Group One winner and sire Kalanisi. Kalapour was successful at Hawkesbury in his Australian debut in the autumn and progressed to win the Gr.3 Chairman’s Handicap (2000m) and finish third in the Gr.3 Premier’s Cup (2400m) during the Queensland winter carnival. Following a break, the seven-year-old placed in the Gr.1 The Metropolitan (2400m) and the Gr.3 St Leger before he claimed his Cup spot with a front-running victory at Flemington in the Archer. “Kris has done a terrific job with him and he’s a very honest horse,” Petagna said. “I don’t know whether he’s got the class of some of the others in the field, but he will give it everything and that’s half the battle with the stayers.” Kalapour will be Petagna’s second Cup runner after multiple top-flight winner Lucia Valentina finished midfield behind Protectionist in 2014. “She didn’t really stay the trip, she wasn’t quite up to it,” he said. He will also be represented on Tuesday by the Andrew Forsman-prepared Aprilia in the Listed Howden Desirable Stakes (1400m). “She was a bit disappointing last time out so it’s hard to know how she’ll go, it might have been the firm track,” Petagna said. “She is Group Two-placed over there so we’d like to think with the drop in class she might be right in it.” Runner-up in last season’s Gr.1 Manawatu Sires’ Produce Stakes (1400m), the U S Navy Flag filly finished second in the Gr.2 Edward Manifold Stakes (1600m) before she was unplaced in the Gr.2 Fillies’ Classic (1600m). View the full article

After two runs at Sha Tin, the galloper makes his first start of the season at his favoured venue on Wednesday nightView the full article

Retiring G.O.A.T. Damien Oliver will chase a fairy-tale win in the Group 1 $1 million Kennedy Oaks (2500m) on Thursday looking for one more triumph aboard the Kiwi-bred filly Basilinna. Retiring hoop Damien Oliver chases one final win in the 2023 Kennedy Oaks on Thursday at Flemington. Photo: Ultimate Racing Photos. Oliver will bid farewell to his glittering career in the saddle at the end of the Melbourne Spring Racing Carnival and has been racing in terrific fashion over the past few weeks. He will be hoping to roll that into the Oaks on Day 3 of the Melbourne Cup Carnival at headquarters when jumping aboard the Emma-Lee & David Browne-trained daughter of Saphanos, Basilinna. Oliver has dominated the recent Kennedy Oaks results riding five of the past eight winners with success aboard: Jameka (2015), Miami Bound (2019), Personal (2020) and Willowy (2021). His ride in the 2023 VRC Oaks field is one of the single-figure fancies at a current quote of $9.50 through Ladbrokes. Basilinna has won just one of her four career starts to date but was good last time out at a price when third to Autumn Angel at Caulfield on October 21 at 30/1 only two lengths beaten in the Group 3 Ethereal Stakes (2000m). She is drawn for a run with barrier two on Thursday and is the sentimental favourite for Ollie fans. Current favourite in Kennedy Oaks betting is the James Cummings-trained Zardozi at $3. Favourites have a strong recent record in the event with six saluting from 2008 – 2022 including Cummings’ champ Willowy ($3.70 in 2021) and She’s Extreme ($2.30 in 2022) last spring. James McDonald, who also rides last year’s hero Gold Trip for his Melbourne Cup title defence on Tuesday, partners the in-form daughter of Kingman from a nice barrier six draw. The filly won the Group 2 Edward Manifold Stakes (1600m) two back before another Flemington run on Derby Day when finishing a short half-head second in the Group 2 Wakeful Stakes (2000m). Her last start conqueror, Amazonian Lass, was good posting her upset win in the Wakeful and is at $9 to do the double on the quick back-up for Gai Waterhouse & Adrian Bott. Tim Clark retains the ride on the Wakeful winner who is drawn wide out in gate 13. The Waterhouse/Bott stable also saddle-up the main danger with Tropical Squall occupying the second line of Kennedy Oaks betting at $3.90. She is drawn favourably with gate three for jockey Adam Hyeronimus and looks for another Group 1 after her Flight Stakes win over the Randwick mile earlier this prep. Her latest start had the bonny Prized Icon filly finishing a half-length second in the Ethereal Stakes. She carted 59kg from barrier 12 to go down the beaten odds-on fancy there and will be looking to kiss and make-up with the punters in the Oaks back to 56kg at set weights. The Kennedy Oaks runs as Race 8 on the Flemington card for Thursday with a 5:10pm (AEDT) scheduled jump time. 2023 Kennedy Oaks Field & Barriers No Last 10 Horse Trainer Jockey Barrier Weight Probable Weight Penalty Hcp Rating 1 1×1312 TROPICAL SQUALL Gai Waterhouse & Adrian Bott Adam Hyeronimus 3 56kg 104 2 111×00712 ZARDOZI James Cummings James McDonald 6 56kg 86 3 19×50531 AMAZONIAN LASS Gai Waterhouse & Adrian Bott Tim Clark 13 56kg 86 4 4151 SERVED COLD Danny O’Brien Blake Shinn 11 56kg 70 5 11133 HARLOW MIST (NZ) John Sargent Michael Dee 9 56kg 76 6 11×9605 COCO SUN Tony & Calvin McEvoy Damian Lane 7 56kg 68 7 2183 BASILINNA (NZ) Emma-Lee & David Browne Damien Oliver 2 56kg 70 8 7214 AETHELFLAED Matthew Smith Mark Zahra 12 56kg 66 9 431292 WINGS OF SONG Patrick Payne Billy Egan 14 56kg 63 10 6451 ETHEL MAUDE Pat Carey & Harris Walker Rhys McLeod 10 56kg 64 11 421 PEAKY RIDGE Peter Chow Declan Bates 8 56kg 63 12 9190 VIESTE Benjamin Smith Dean Yendall 5 56kg 64 13 7×8525 ANOTHER YOU Dan O’Sullivan Ms Jamie Kah 1 56kg 64 14 430 EVERLASTING KISS Trent Busuttin & Natalie Young Ben Melham 4 56kg 63 Table Credit: Racing Australia. The post Kennedy Oaks 2023 Field & Odds: Oliver Chases Fairytale Swansong appeared first on HorseRacing.com.au. View the full article

Kalapour ridden by Damien Oliver wins the Archer Stakes at Flemington Racecourse. (Photo by Pat Scala/Racing Photos) Kalapour was a dominant winner of the $300,000 Group 3 Lexus Stakes at Flemington on Saturday and it earned itself a trip to Flemington on Tuesday. The Lexus Stakes winner gains a ballot exemption for the Group 1 $8.41 million Melbourne Cup (3200m) back at the track just three days later, with Shocking was the last to complete the double in 2009. More recently the 2018 Lexus Stakes winner Prince Of Arran ran third in the Melbourne Cup. The 2023 Lexus Archer Stakes was run on Saturday November 4, 2023 as a final lead-up into the Melbourne Cup and saw the Kris Lees-trained Kalapour lead all-the-way off a gun ride by Damien Oliver to earn his spot in the 24-horse Melbourne Cup field on November 7. 23. Kalapour (14) T: Kris Lees J: Zac Lloyd W: 50kg F: 3L7331 Age: 7YO Color: Bay Sex: Gelding Sire: War Command (IRE) Dam: Daldiyna (FR) +5000 11.00 The seven-year-old gelding, who came off back-to-back Sydney thirds in the Group 1 The Metropolitan and St. Leger, extended his lead in the Lexus with a furlong to go to become exempt from Melbourne Cup ballot. Kalapour was 27th on the order of entry before his victory. Previous Lexus / Melbourne Cup Doubles: Shocking 2009 Shocking won the 2009 Lexus Stakes before subsequently winning the Melbourne Cup three days later. The son of Street Cry was one of the most surprising Cup winners in recent history as it hadn’t won since May of 2009. During that run, Shocking finished ninth in a handicap race at Moonee Valley, but he quickly turned that form around. The Mark Kavanagh-trained runner was purchased for only $64,000 and it soon won its connections that money back by placing in three consecutive races before winning the Lexus Stakes against only an average field. Despite the average field of the Lexus, Shocking showed why that form should be respected by travelling three-wide throughout the 2009 Melbourne Cup and scoring by just under a length. Shocking would later go on to win the Makybe Diva Stakes and the 2011 Australian Cup before retiring immediately for stud. Previous Lexus / Melbourne Cup Doubles: Brew – 2000 It was a long time between drinks for Lexus Stakes winners succeeding in the Melbourne Cup, but Bred broke that drought in the new millennium. The Michael Moroney-trained Kiwi runner was the first Lexus Stakes/Melbourne Cup winner since Think Big won the double in 1974. It was the lesser-fancied runner from the stable, with Second Coming getting all the attention, but Brew finished off best. Much like Shocking, Bred had shown form in the lead-up to the Lexus Stakes – which was known as the Saab Quality – before winning the Japan Trophy and placing in the Moonee Valley Cup. Those performances didn’t qualify for the Melbourne Cup, but Brew was back two weeks later to win the Lexus. The $15 chance with bookmakers got into the Melbourne Cup with only 49kg on its back and it wasn’t overly popular with Melbourne Cup punters after drawing barrier 22, but it stormed to the front in the shadows of the post to score a quality win. Previous Lexus / Melbourne Cup Doubles: Think Big – 1974 Think Big is one of the most popular Melbourne Cup winners in history and that history might not have been written had it not won the 1974 Lexus Stakes (Hotham Handicap). The Bart Cummings-trained stayer had won five races from 15 starts as a three-year-old and its third placing in the Brisbane Cup showed its staying credentials. It started as the second elect in the Melbourne Cup behind stablemate Leilani, but Think Big was too good for them. It added its name to multiple winners of the Melbourne Cup by winning again in 1975 as a $34 chance and despite not winning a race in between Melbourne Cups, it showed why it’s one of the Australian Melbourne Cup greats. The above three winners show why it’s possible for Lexus Stakes winners to win the Melbourne Cup three days later and Cismontane is still paying $40 at Neds.com.au to recreate history this Tuesday. 2023 Melbourne Cup odds Flemington – Race 7 Lexus Melbourne Cup Status: Open Track Rating: Good4 Weather: overcast AUS 3200m03:00pm – Tue 7th Nov Place Win 1. Gold Trip Ciaron Maher & David Eustace ᐅ Best odds atNeds 151 26 2. Alenquer Michael Moroney ᐅ Best odds atNeds 151 26 3. Without A Fight A & S Freedman ᐅ Best odds atNeds 151 26 4. Breakup Tatsuya Yoshioka ᐅ Best odds atNeds 151 26 5. Vauban Willie Mullins ᐅ Best odds atNeds 151 26 6. Soulcombe Chris Waller ᐅ Best odds atNeds 151 26 7. Absurde Willie Mullins ᐅ Best odds atNeds 151 26 8. Right You Are Ciaron Maher & David Eustace ᐅ Best odds atNeds 151 26 9. Vow And Declare Danny O’brien ᐅ Best odds atNeds 151 26 10. Cleveland Kris Lees ᐅ Best odds atNeds 151 26 11. Ashrun Ciaron Maher & David Eustace ᐅ Best odds atNeds 151 26 12. Daqiansweet Junior Phillip Stokes ᐅ Best odds atNeds 151 26 13. Okita Soushi Joseph O’brien ᐅ Best odds atNeds 151 26 14. Sheraz Chris Waller ᐅ Best odds atNeds 151 26 15. Lastotchka Mick Price & Michael Kent Jnr ᐅ Best odds atNeds 151 26 16. Magical Lagoon Chris Waller ᐅ Best odds atNeds 151 26 17. Military Mission G Waterhouse & A Bott ᐅ Best odds atNeds 151 26 18. Serpentine G Waterhouse & A Bott ᐅ Best odds atNeds 151 26 19. Virtuous Circle Liam Howley ᐅ Best odds atNeds 151 26 20. More Felons Chris Waller ᐅ Best odds atNeds 151 26 21. Future History Ciaron Maher & David Eustace ᐅ Best odds atNeds 151 26 22. Interpretation Ciaron Maher & David Eustace ᐅ Best odds atNeds 151 26 23. Kalapour Kris Lees ᐅ Best odds atNeds 151 26 24. True Marvel Matthew Smith ᐅ Best odds atNeds 151 26 Melbourne Cup Betting Tips 2023 Melbourne Cup Runner By Runner Preview View the full article

True Marvel is the opens as the biggest outsider in the 2023 Melbourne Cup. (Photo by Alice Miles/Racing Photos) The 2023 Melbourne Cup will take place on Tuesday, November 7 at Flemington Racecourse. Australia’s most famous race has produced a number of surprise winners over the years, including a few that were given no hope in hell. The question is: are there any horses in this year’s field that can defy the odds? Melbourne Cup winners by longest odds The highest official betting price for a Melbourne Cup winner is 100/1, which was first achieved when The Pearl came from the clouds in 1871. That feat has since been matched by three other horses: Wotan (1936), Old Rowley (1940) and Prince Of Penzance (2015). Prince Of Penzance’s win was doubly remarkable. Not only was it the first time in 75 years that a $101 shot had won the Melbourne Cup, it was also the first time a female jockey – Michelle Payne – had ridden a winner in the great race. Long shots in 2023 Melbourne Cup betting True Marvel and Sheraz are the long shots in the 2023 Melbourne Cup field, with both priced over $100.00 with online bookmakers for the race that stops the nation. 2023 Melbourne Cup Field No. Silks Horse Trainer Jockey Barrier Weight Odds 1 Gold Trip Ciaron Maher & David Eustace James McDonald 2 58.5kg +340 2 Alenquer Michael Moroney Damien Oliver 9 56.5kg +5000 3 Without A Fight Anthony & Sam Freedman Mark Zahra 16 56.5kg +600 4 Breakup Tatsuya Yoshioka Kohei Matsuyama 18 55kg +1700 5 Vauban Willie Mullins Ryan Moore 3 55kg +240 6 Soulcombe Chris Waller Joao Moreira 4 53.5kg +1000 7 Absurde Willie Mullins Zac Purton 8 53kg +2200 8 Right You Are Ciaron Maher & David Eustace John Allen 15 53kg +7000 9 Vow And Declare Danny O’Brien Billy Egan 19 53kg +3000 10 Cleveland Kris Lees Michael Dee 23 52kg +2600 11 Ashrun Ciaron Maher & David Eustace Kerrin McEvoy 11 51.5kg +4000 12 Daqiansweet Junior Phillip Stokes Daniel Stackhouse 12 51.5kg +9000 13 Okita Soushi Joseph O’Brien Dylan Gibbons 20 51.5kg +7000 14 Sheraz Chris Waller Beau Mertens 22 51.5kg +12500 15 Lastotchka Mick Price & Michael Kent (Jnr) Craig Williams 21 51kg +2500 16 Magical Lagoon Chris Waller Mark Du Plessis 7 51kg +9000 17 Military Mission Gai Waterhouse & Adrian Bott Rachel King 5 51kg +4500 18 Serpentine Gai Waterhouse & Adrian Bott Jye McNeil 1 51kg +6000 19 Virtuous Circle Liam Howley Craig Newitt 6 51kg +9000 20 More Felons Chris Waller Jamie Kah 24 50.5kg +3000 21 Future History Ciaron Maher & David Eustace Hollie Doyle 13 50kg +2600 22 Interpretation Ciaron Maher & David Eustace Teo Nugent 17 50kg +6000 23 Kalapour Kris Lees Zac Lloyd 14 50kg +5000 24 True Marvel Matthew Smith Ben Thompson 10 50kg +15000 2023 Melbourne Cup Odds Flemington – Race 7 Lexus Melbourne Cup Status: Open Track Rating: Good4 Weather: overcast AUS 3200m03:00pm – Tue 7th Nov Place Win 1. Gold Trip Ciaron Maher & David Eustace ᐅ Best odds atNeds 151 26 2. Alenquer Michael Moroney ᐅ Best odds atNeds 151 26 3. Without A Fight A & S Freedman ᐅ Best odds atNeds 151 26 4. Breakup Tatsuya Yoshioka ᐅ Best odds atNeds 151 26 5. Vauban Willie Mullins ᐅ Best odds atNeds 151 26 6. Soulcombe Chris Waller ᐅ Best odds atNeds 151 26 7. Absurde Willie Mullins ᐅ Best odds atNeds 151 26 8. Right You Are Ciaron Maher & David Eustace ᐅ Best odds atNeds 151 26 9. Vow And Declare Danny O’brien ᐅ Best odds atNeds 151 26 10. Cleveland Kris Lees ᐅ Best odds atNeds 151 26 11. Ashrun Ciaron Maher & David Eustace ᐅ Best odds atNeds 151 26 12. Daqiansweet Junior Phillip Stokes ᐅ Best odds atNeds 151 26 13. Okita Soushi Joseph O’brien ᐅ Best odds atNeds 151 26 14. Sheraz Chris Waller ᐅ Best odds atNeds 151 26 15. Lastotchka Mick Price & Michael Kent Jnr ᐅ Best odds atNeds 151 26 16. Magical Lagoon Chris Waller ᐅ Best odds atNeds 151 26 17. Military Mission G Waterhouse & A Bott ᐅ Best odds atNeds 151 26 18. Serpentine G Waterhouse & A Bott ᐅ Best odds atNeds 151 26 19. Virtuous Circle Liam Howley ᐅ Best odds atNeds 151 26 20. More Felons Chris Waller ᐅ Best odds atNeds 151 26 21. Future History Ciaron Maher & David Eustace ᐅ Best odds atNeds 151 26 22. Interpretation Ciaron Maher & David Eustace ᐅ Best odds atNeds 151 26 23. Kalapour Kris Lees ᐅ Best odds atNeds 151 26 24. True Marvel Matthew Smith ᐅ Best odds atNeds 151 26 View the full article

The race that stops a nation has had winners from all parts of Europe and even Japan, further solidifying its status as a true international event. Every year international raiders flock to Australian shores to try to win our greatest race. In 2023, despite Melbourne Cup Internationals having to satisfy very strict criteria to join the field in the race that stops the nation; four international horses remain in contention to win The Cup. 2023 Melbourne Cup Horses No. Silks Horse Trainer Jockey Barrier Weight Odds 1 Gold Trip Ciaron Maher & David Eustace James McDonald 2 58.5kg +340 2 Alenquer Michael Moroney Damien Oliver 9 56.5kg +5000 3 Without A Fight Anthony & Sam Freedman Mark Zahra 16 56.5kg +600 4 Breakup Tatsuya Yoshioka Kohei Matsuyama 18 55kg +1700 5 Vauban Willie Mullins Ryan Moore 3 55kg +240 6 Soulcombe Chris Waller Joao Moreira 4 53.5kg +1000 7 Absurde Willie Mullins Zac Purton 8 53kg +2200 8 Right You Are Ciaron Maher & David Eustace John Allen 15 53kg +7000 9 Vow And Declare Danny O’Brien Billy Egan 19 53kg +3000 10 Cleveland Kris Lees Michael Dee 23 52kg +2600 11 Ashrun Ciaron Maher & David Eustace Kerrin McEvoy 11 51.5kg +4000 12 Daqiansweet Junior Phillip Stokes Daniel Stackhouse 12 51.5kg +9000 13 Okita Soushi Joseph O’Brien Dylan Gibbons 20 51.5kg +7000 14 Sheraz Chris Waller Beau Mertens 22 51.5kg +12500 15 Lastotchka Mick Price & Michael Kent (Jnr) Craig Williams 21 51kg +2500 16 Magical Lagoon Chris Waller Mark Du Plessis 7 51kg +9000 17 Military Mission Gai Waterhouse & Adrian Bott Rachel King 5 51kg +4500 18 Serpentine Gai Waterhouse & Adrian Bott Jye McNeil 1 51kg +6000 19 Virtuous Circle Liam Howley Craig Newitt 6 51kg +9000 20 More Felons Chris Waller Jamie Kah 24 50.5kg +3000 21 Future History Ciaron Maher & David Eustace Hollie Doyle 13 50kg +2600 22 Interpretation Ciaron Maher & David Eustace Teo Nugent 17 50kg +6000 23 Kalapour Kris Lees Zac Lloyd 14 50kg +5000 24 True Marvel Matthew Smith Ben Thompson 10 50kg +15000 2023 Melbourne Cup International Horses . The 2023 Melbourne Cup will see one of the lightest international raider representations in The Cup for some time, with just four true internationals vying to win our greatest race. Breakup, Vauban, Absurde, Okita Soushi are all yet to start in Australia. For a full breakdown on the international horse chances in the race that stops the nation, see our full feature race guides: Breakup (4) T: Tatsuya Yoshioka J: Kohei Matsuyama (55kg) Age: 6YO Color: Chestnut Sex: Horse Sire: Novelist (IRE) Dam: Little Dun (USA) Win: +1800 Place: +450 Best odds at Picklebet Career stats for Breakup Career: 22: 5-3-4 Flemington: 0: 0-0-0 Distance: 1: 0-0-0 Soft: 1: 1-0-0 Good: 21: 4-3-4 Heavy: 0: 0-0-0 Group 1: 4: 0-0-0 Win %: 23% Place %: 55% Can Breakup win the 2023 Melbourne Cup? The only Japanese runner in the 2023 Melbourne Cup comes in the form of Breakup. The Tatsuya Yoshioka-trained five-year-old has already made his presence felt in the Group 1 Caulfield Cup (2400m), finishing a luckless eighth of the 18 runners. He was poleaxed between runners and lost all momentum under Damian Lane, spelling the end of his chances in that contest. He was clearly very forgivable on that effort, and you only need to peak at his local form to see how talented this son of Novelist can be. He was blown away by the world’s highest-rated horse, Equinox, in the Group 1 Takarazuka Kinen (2200m) at Hanshin, but prior to that was closing on the heals of Justin Palace in the Group 1 Tenno Sho (spring) (3200m) over the Melbourne Cup trip. Kohei Matsuyama makes the trip from Japan to steer home Breakup and will be seeking history, as the first winner from the land of the rising sun since Delta Blues in 2006. He is a first four hope. Okita Soushi (20) T: Joseph O’Brien J: Dylan Gibbons (51.5kg) Age: 6YO Color: Bay Sex: Stallion Sire: Galileo (IRE) Dam: Amicus (UNR) Win: +8000 Place: +1500 Best odds at Boombet Career stats for Okita Soushi Career: 13: 4-2-3 Flemington: 0: 0-0-0 Distance: 1: 1-0-0 Good: 11: 4-1-3 Wet: 2: 0-1-0 Group 1: 1: 0-0-0 Win %: 31% Place %: 69% Can Okita Soushi win the 2023 Melbourne Cup? Okita Soushi has already had a run since getting off the float for the Joseph O’Brien stable, finishing 10 lengths away in the Group 1 Caulfield Cup (2400m) on October 21. The colt by Galileo was considered a shade disappointing by many – particularly with his overseas credentials reading quite well prior to that effort. He took out the Class 2 Duke Of Edinburgh Stakes (2414m), holding off Hms President by a neck on the wire, pronouncing himself as a Melbourne Cup type, with the ability to outstay his rivals. He must be considered hard to have heading into Tuesday, however, Dylan Gibbons gets his chance to make his mark on Australia’s greatest race with his first-ever ride in a Melbourne Cup. Okita Soushi will need to make massive improvements to be in the finish here. Absurde (8) T: Willie Mullins J: Zac Purton (53kg) Age: 5YO Color: Bay Sex: Gelding Sire: Fastnet Rock (AUS) Dam: Incroyable (IRE) Win: +2500 Place: +550 Best odds at Bet365 Career stats for Absurde Career: 15: 4-6-2 Flemington: 0: 0-0-0 Distance: 0: 0-0-0 Good: 7: 3-4-0 Wet: 4: 1-0-0 Group 1: 0: 0-0-1 Win %: 27% Place %: 80% Can Absurde win the 2023 Melbourne Cup? Absurde is the second of two Willie Mullins-trained gallopers heading to Australia for the 2023 Melbourne Cup. The son of Fastnet Rock warrants plenty of respect after gaining entry to this event after drawing away convincingly in the Class 2 Ebor Handicap at York on August 26. He was able to hold off all challengers under Frankie Dettori, despite lugging 60.5kg throughout the 2816m journey, and should have no issues staying the Melbourne Cup journey over 3200m. The five-year-old gelding boasts a second-place finish behind the current Melbourne Cup favourite and stablemate, Vauban, holding him in good stead for the first Tuesday of November. Hong Kong’s leading hoop Zac Purton makes his way back to Australia to take the mount, and with only 53kgs on his back, Absurde isn’t going to know himself. Consider him a genuine winning chance, despite the price. Vauban (3) T: Willie Mullins J: Ryan Moore (55kg) Age: 5YO Color: Chestnut Sex: Gelding Sire: Gallway (GB) Dam: Waldfest (IRE) Win: +220 Place: -166.67 Best odds at Boombet Career stats for Vauban Career: 14: 7-3-1 Flemington: 0: 0-0-0 Distance: 5: 2-2-1 Soft: 11: 6-2-1 Good: 9: 2-1-0 Heavy: 1: 0-1-0 Group 1: 7: 3-2-1 Win %: 50% Place %: 79% Can Vauban win the 2023 Melbourne Cup? Vauban is the first of Willie Mullins-trained gallopers engaged in this year’s Melbourne Cup and has been a long-standing favourite to win the race since claiming back-to-back victories in Europe. His first victory was a demolition of Class 2 rivals at Royal Ascot on June 20, as the son of Gallway made every post a winner to score by 7.5 lengths, giving his stable companion Absurde no chance of chasing him down. Vauban then made his way to Naas on August 7 to solidify his spot in the race that stops the nation, leading all the way in the Group 3 Ballyroan Stakes (2414m), striding away with the prize. The five-year-old gelding is well-weighted in this year’s Cup, with 55kgs unlikely to hinder his winning chances. Ryan Moore makes his way down under for the ride, with his last Melbourne Cup success coming in 2019 aboard Magic Wand. Vauban deserves favourtism on recent form and is a must include in every exotic bet. Melbourne Cup Betting Tips 2023 Melbourne Cup Runner By Runner Preview View the full article

Might And Power was a star of the turf when it won the Caulfield Cup/Melbourne Cup double, but can any horse replicate that effort? The Caulfield Cup and Melbourne Cup are races synonymous with Australian racing and winning both in the same year has been achieved 11 times, but we question whether the Cups double will ever be won again. On the eve of the 2023 Melbourne Cup on Tuesday, we look at what horses have achieved the Cups double, what horses could achieve the double this year and why the best staying thoroughbreds are finding it tough to win both races. Caulfield Cup/Melbourne Cup double winners The 11 winners of the Cups double include some of Australia’s finest staying thoroughbreds. Rivette and Rising Fast were two early winners of the double and have since been rewarded for their efforts. Galilee and Gurner’s Lane added their names later in the century and the four recent winners all captured the hearts of racing fans across the world. Let’s Elope (1991), Doriemus (1995), Might And Power (1997) and Ethereal (2001) were the last four winners of the double. Why hasn’t any thoroughbred achieved the double since the New Zealand-trained Ethereal won in 2001? What made these aforementioned horses any different to the horses competing in Australia at the moment? There are plenty of reasons why we think the Caulfield Cup/Melbourne Cup double will never be achieved again. They don’t make them like they used to The old saying, “They don’t them like they used to” can be applied here. Australian and New Zealand stayers used to dominate the Cups because they were trained especially for both the Caulfield and Melbourne Cup, but that’s not the case in 2023. Horses are typically either set for either the Caulfield Cup, Cox Plate or the Melbourne Cup. Trainers are preferring the option of running in other races as preparation for the Melbourne Cup and the Caulfield feature just doesn’t play into that mindset. The horses are simply too brilliant now to compete in both. By brilliant we mean that the modern day staying thoroughbred is better suited to running a strong 1600m-2000m race, instead of being a true two-miler. The lack of staying fitness under their belts makes it tough to complete the double and most trainers aren’t even bothering in trying to win both. The likes of Ethereal, Let’s Elope and Gurner’s Lane were polished stayers which could run further if they had to. They were stayers competing in a staying contest, but in 2023 we have milers being stretched out to the staying distances. The notion that you need to stay to win a Melbourne Cup has been thrown out the window by these modern day thoroughbreds which are able to sprint better than most stayers. There was no chance of Winx competing in Australia’s greatest race, but the mere thought was enough to make purists squirm. The international invasion The impact of the international invasion is both positive and negative for staying racing in Australia. The positive is that we see better horses competing in the Cups, but the negative is that some of Australia’s true staying types don’t make the field because the internationals have won a group three over the hurdles in Ireland. The qualification process for these European horses needs fixing, because Australian punters might not see the next potential staying star in the major races. European trainers are also reluctant to run in both Cup races as races such as the Geelong Cup and the Caulfield Stakes are more commonly used now, due to the timing of the races. We tend to favour the Australasian runners for the Caulfield Cup, but beating the Melbourne Cup Internationals is very tough. More money, more options With the amount of money available in Australia, the Caulfield Cup might not be as appealing as it used to be. So what makes the Caulfield Cup special? We’re struggling to find a reason why trainers would take the Caulfield Cup-Melbourne Cup route seeing that no horse has completed the double in 16 years. There is more money in running in easier options to prepare for the Melbourne Cup. Why hold a staying feature only one week before the main event? It doesn’t make much sense from Racing Victoria and punters are seeing the same horses compete in consecutive weeks. The Melbourne Cup has so much appeal because we don’t see some of the runners before they come over for the race – there is some intrigue there. 2023 Cups double candidates? There is only one – Without A Fight 3. Without A Fight (16) T: Anthony & Sam Freedman J: Mark Zahra W: 56.5kg F: x11x61 Age: 7YO Color: Brown Sex: Gelding Sire: Teofilo (IRE) Dam: Khor Sheed (GB) +600 2.80 Without A Fight won the 2023 Caulfield Cup. Can Without A Fight defy history and become the first horse since Ethereal in 2001 to complete the Caulfield Cup/Melbourne Cup double? We think he can. The Anthony & Sam Freedman-trained runner arrived in time to claim West Wind Blows in the shadows of the winning post to etch his name into Caulfield Cup folklore. He was only second-up in the Caulfield Cup and in the Melbourne Cup can go to another level with another run under his belt. His third-up record is bombproof, winning twice and placing in three goes. This is obviously his hardest test in terms of being a winning chance in a big race, considering he finished 13th, beaten 21.15 lengths in this race last year. Firmer going is more his go and since being under the care of Anthony & Sam Freedman, he is a different galloper. From barrier 16, Mark Zahra will go back towards the rear of the field, but if he can gain a tow into the race, we have no doubt he will stay the trip and finish over the top of his rivals once again. For a full breakdown on every 2023 Melbourne Cup horses chances in the race that stops the nation, see our full feature race guides: Melbourne Cup Betting Tips 2023 Melbourne Cup Runner By Runner Preview View the full article

Alenquer could be scratched from the Melbourne Cup, which would leave Damien Oliver without a ride in his final cup. (Photo by Reg Ryan/Racing Photos) Champion jockey Damien Oliver faces an anxious wait until Tuesday morning to determine whether his final Melbourne Cup mount, Alenquer, will be scratched from the prestigious race. Stewards have announced that the ultimate decision on Alenquer’s fitness will be rendered at 7.30am on Melbourne Cup day. This Melbourne Cup would mark Oliver’s 32nd and last appearance in the iconic event and the Hollywood nature of his career, despite Alenquer being a longshot at $51, means you cannot rule him out. Also read: Damien Oliver in the Melbourne Cup In the face of the uncertainty, Oliver displayed a philosophical outlook, saying his primary concern was for the horse’s well-being. He said if stewards deemed Alenquer unfit to race, he would accept their decision without hesitation. However, a potential withdrawal would be a cruel twist of fate for the champion jockey, who missed out on participating in last year’s Cup when Durston was ruled out due to injury. Before that, Oliver had only been absent from the Cup twice since his debut in the race in 1989. “It’s all about timing, but if I’m going to have a ride, I want it to be on a fit, healthy horse,” Oliver said. “If the horse isn’t right, he’s not right. I’ve ridden in enough Melbourne Cups not to have a ride just for the sake of participation. I know it’s my last, but I want the horse to be in prime condition if I’m going to compete.” Trainer Michael Moroney revealed Alenquer was suffering from stone bruises on his near fore foot on Sunday, with stewards promptly declaring they would do an inspection on race morning. Having secured a double victory on Derby Day, Oliver commenced his final Flemington Carnival in fine form. He intends to ride for the last time in Victoria on Thousand Guineas Day at Caulfield in less than two weeks. While all other horses are scheduled to undergo pre-race veterinary inspections on Monday afternoon, the fate of Alenquer remains in limbo, adding an element of suspense and drama to this year’s Melbourne Cup. You can view the full Melbourne Cup field here, or check out our expert Melbourne Cup tips and full preview. More racing news View the full article

What Kyneton Cup Day 2023 Where Kyneton Racing Club – 44 Campaspe Pl, Kyneton VIC 3444 When Wednesday, November 8, 2023 First Race 12:35pm AEDT Visit Dabble The Kyneton Racing Club will host its marquee meeting this Wednesday afternoon, with the Kyneton Cup highlighting a nine-race program. The track is rated a Soft 5, and with rain forecast for Tuesday and Wednesday, expect the track to stay in the Soft range and possibly worsen during the day. The rail will be in the +1m position for the entire circuit, with the opening race set to jump at 12:35pm AEDT. Kyneton Cup Tip: Red Sun Sensation Red Sun Sensation will drop back from Group 3 company to run in the Kyneton Cup. At his most recent start, the Peter Moody & Katherine Coleman-trained galloper was narrowly beaten by Ain’tnodeeldun in the Group 3 JRA Cup at Moonee Valley, where he led every step of the way except for on the finish line. This son of Awesome Rock will be fourth-up and should be at peak fitness for his second attempt at 2000m this time in. From barrier three, Craig Williams will adopt similar tactics to last start and look to lead all the way. Kyneton Cup Race 7 – #3 Red Sun Sensation (3) 4yo Gelding | T: Peter Moody & Katherine Coleman | J: Craig Williams (57.5kg) +190 with Betfair Best Bet at Kyneton: Toronto Terrier The Mike Moroney-trained Toronto Terrier returned to the racetrack on October 20, finishing a close second behind Extreme Flight over 1200m at Moe. On Wednesday, the four-year-old gelding will meet Extreme Flight again, but this time with a 2kg weight swing in his favour. This son of Toronado contested much better races in town last preparation, and after a strong fresh performance, expect him to show his quality in a Benchmark 78. If Jye McNeil can settle midfield and find the three-wide running line before the home turn, Toronto Terrier should prove too classy for this field. Best Bet Race 9 – #9 Toronto Terrier (8) 4yo Gelding | T: Mike Moroney | J: Jye McNeil (57kg) +220 with Dabble Next Best at Kyneton: Herrlich Herrlich was impressive on his debut last start at Warrnambool over 1400m, where the Danny O’Brien-trained gelding was beaten in a very tight photo finish by Rippa Buddy. After settling behind the leader, this son of Snitzel worked his way into the race and let down with a strong finish, but he raced a bit greenly and didn’t know how to put it away. Now second-up, and with that strong performance under his belt, expect this guy to play a prominent role in the finish again. With Liam Riordan retaining the ride, Herrlich can push forward again from barrier one and break his maiden at the second time of asking. Next Best Race 3 – #5 Herrlich (1) 3yo Gelding | T: Danny O’Brien | J: Liam Riordan (58kg) +220 with PendleburyBet Wednesday quaddie tips for Kyneton Cup Day Kyneton quadrella selections Wednesday, November 8, 2023 1-3-6-7 1-3 1-6-8-11 1-4-9-13 More horse racing tips View the full article