Wandering Eyes

What Randwick Races Where Royal Randwick Racecourse – Alison Rd, Randwick NSW 2031 When Tuesday, November 7, 2023 First Race 11:45am AEDT Visit Dabble The Big Dance (1600m) headlines a massive 10-race program at Royal Randwick on Tuesday, serving up an outstanding appetizer before the Group 1 Melbourne Cup (3200m) at Flemington. The track is currently rated as a Good 4 at the time of writing; however, there are some scattered showers predicted to hit the course prior to race-day, so we’ll be doing the form for a surface somewhere in the improving Soft range. The rail is out +2m the entire circuit for the meeting, with the first race set to get underway at 11:45am AEDT. Click here for our full preview of the 2023 Big Dance Best Bet: Dynamic Impact Dynamic Impact has been flying for the Bjorn Baker barn and deserves a reward for his efforts on Tuesday afternoon. He’s found minor placings in his last two performances, with the latest at this course and distance a barnstorming effort behind Much Much Better on October 21. He flashed into a third-place finish and had he stalk his rivals closer to the speed, would’ve been right in the finish. Anna Roper knocks off 3kgs in this contest after the claim, and although some may argue Dynamic Impact needs to step up in trip, we’re happy to give him another chance at the 1200m. Best Bet Race 10 – #6 Dynamic Impact (2) 6yo Gelding | T: Bjorn Baker | J: Anna Roper (a3) (59.5kg) +450 with Bet365 Next Best: Bandi’s Boy The Barn Dance (1300m) is for country-trained gallopers worth $250,000, and we’re keen to be with Bandi’s Boy. The Danny Williams camp clearly has a big opinion of their lightly raced four-year-old, electing to scratch from a Highway Handicap on Saturday for this event. He won impressively in Highway company on October 28, seemingly return to his peak after a 413-day spell. If he holds that form on the short back-up, Bandi’s Boy is going to take a power of beating with 52kgs on his back. Next Best Race 6 – #15 Bandi’s Boy (6) 4yo Gelding | T: Danny Williams | J: Jay Ford (52kg) +550 with Neds Best Value: Excellent Proposal Excellent Proposal is worth a throw at the stumps at a massive each-way price as he makes his Australian debut for the Michael Freedman yard. He was formerly with John Size in Hong Kong boasting a Group 1 win on the resume, but simply hasn’t been able to recapture his elite form behind the likes of Golden Sixty and California Spangle. It’s been 290 days since the now seven-year-old has raced, but his barrier trials have been promising, and with the son of Exceed And Excel holding nominations for the Group 1 Railway Stakes (1600m) and Group 1 Northerly Stakes (1800m) he can only run well here. Best Value Race 8 – #1 Excellent Proposal (6) 7yo Gelding | T: Michael Freedman | J: Jason Collett (62.5kg) +5000 with Betfair Randwick quadrella selections Tuesday, November 7, 2023 1-2-3-13-15 1-2-5-6-8-9-10-11 1-5-6-14 6 | Copy this bet straight to your betslip More horse racing tips View the full article

Phillip Stokes is the no.1 trainer in South Australia and he will have one runner in the 2023 Melbourne Cup, with Daqiansweet Junior set to contest the 3200m feature. Stokes is yet to win a Melbourne Cup after winning his first group 1 in 2006, when he took out the Australasian Oaks with Marju Snip.

Daqiansweet Junior, which raced in the 2022 Melbourne Cup finishing sixth, is a $101 Melbourne Cup roughie, which is no surprise given middling form in recent times. 

 How many Melbourne Cups has Phillip Stokes won? Phillip Stokes has not won a Melbourne Cup before, but does have a unique connection to Japanese 2006 winner Delta Blues. The training team that guided Delta Blues to Melbourne Cup glory used to work for Stokes in Japan, before he relocated to Morphettville in South Australia. What horses does Phillip Stokes have in the 2023 Melbourne Cup? Phillip Stokes has got one runner in the Melbourne Cup, with it being Daqiansweet Junior, which is a $101 shot with horse betting sites. Daqiansweet Junior T: Phillip Stokes J: Daniel Stackhouse Age: 6YO Color: Bay or Brown Sex: Gelding Sire: Sweet Orange (USA) Dam: Paulette (NZ) Win: +10000 Place: +1700 Best odds at Betfair More racing news View the full article

Kris Lees will have two runners in the 2023 Melbourne Cup, with these being Cleveland and Kalapour. The talented pair will be Lees’ fifth and sixth runners in the Melbourne Cup in his 20 year career in Australian racing, with the respected trainer renowned for his preparation of stayers. Cleveland is paying $41 to win the Melbourne Cup, with Michael Dee set to partner the Moonee Valley Gold Cup winner. Lees’ second runner is Kalapour ($26), which is also an Irish import with strong staying credentials. Lees trains out of Hamilton, which is a suburb in Newcastle, with his success as a provincial trainer somewhat of a rarity in modern racing. 

 How many Melbourne Cups has Kris Lees won? Kris Lees is yet to win a Melbourne Cup, despite having four previous runners in the Flemington feature. What horses does Kris Lees have in the 2023 Melbourne Cup? 
Kris Lees has Cleveland and Kalapour in the 2023 Melbourne Cup field. Kalapour (14) T: Kris Lees J: Zac Lloyd (50kg) Age: 7YO Color: Bay Sex: Gelding Sire: War Command (IRE) Dam: Daldiyna (FR) Win: +4500 Place: +1000 Best odds at Bet365 Cleveland (23) T: Kris Lees J: Michael Dee (52kg) Age: 6YO Color: Bay Sex: Horse Sire: Camelot (GB) Dam: Venus de Milo (IRE) Win: +2500 Place: +550 Best odds at Neds More racing news View the full article

Danny O’Brien will saddle up 2019 Melbourne Cup winner Vow and Declare in the 2023 edition of the race, with the eight-year-old looming as a roughie in the 3200m feature. O’Brien will have just the one runner in the 2023 Melbourne Cup, with bookmakers pricing Vow and Declare at $26 to win a second cup, four years after his first. O’Brien is a top trainer in Victoria with stables at Flemington, Geelong and a beach training facility, known as 13th beach. How many Melbourne Cups has Danny O’Brien won? Danny O’Brien has won the Melbourne Cup on one occasion, with these being in 2019, when Vow and Declare won the $8 million feature. Ridden by Craig Williams in his 16th attempt at winning the cup, Vow and Declare beat home Master of Reality and Prince of Arran in impressive fashion. Vow and Declare was a $10 chance in the 2019 Melbourne Cup. What horses does Danny O’Brien have in the 2023 Melbourne Cup? Danny O’Brien has got just one runner in the 2023 Melbourne Cup, with it being $26 shot Vow and Declare, who won the race in 2019. It will be Vow and Declare’s fourth time running the Melbourne Cup. Vow And Declare (19) T: Danny O’Brien J: Billy Egan (53kg) Age: 8YO Color: Chestnut Sex: Gelding Sire: Declaration Of War (USA) Dam: Geblitzt (NZ) Win: +3300 Place: +750 Best odds at PendleburyBet More racing news View the full article

What Eagle Farm Races Where Eagle Farm Racecourse – 230 Lancaster Rd, Ascot, QLD 4007 When Tuesday, November 7, 2023 First Race 11:32am AEST Visit Dabble The Brisbane Racing Club will host its annual Melbourne Cup meeting, with this year’s nine-race program to be held at Eagle Farm Racecourse. The track is currently rated a Good 4, but with rain forecast for Monday, we could start in the Soft range with a chance of an upgrade later in the day. The rail will be in the +8m position for the entire circuit, with the opening race set to jump at 11:32am AEST. Best Bet at Eagle Farm: Richon Richon returned to the races with a nice win first-up at Ipswich over 1100m on October 18, where he settled outside the leader before taking over at the top of the home straight and holding off a late challenge to score. Since that run, the third horse has come out and won its next start at Rosehill, franking the form of this gelding’s fresh victory. With only one other speed influence in this contest, we expect Bailey Wheeler to push forward from barrier 11 and take up the lead. Using his 2kg claim to his advantage, Wheeler will look to up the ante before the home turn and run away from his rivals in the final 200m. Best Bet Race 9 – #1 Richon (11) 4yo Gelding | T: Peter Robl | J: Bailey Wheeler (a2) (60.5kg) +190 with Betfair Next Best at Eagle Farm: Warby The Tony Gollan-trained Warby kicked off his second racing preparation under his new trainer with a nice fourth-place finish at this track over 1200m on October 25. This son of Hellbent settled too far back first-up and made a searching run up the inside rail in the final 300m to finish just outside the placings, beaten 1.7 lengths. Considering how well this four-year-old gelding finished off his race and ran through the line, we expect the extra 200m on Tuesday to suit him nicely. From barrier two, Ryan Maloney should be able to settle in the box seat behind the leaders, and with even luck in the straight, Warby can record his second career victory. Next Best Race 7 – #4 Warby (2) 4yo Gelding | T: Tony Gollan | J: Ryan Maloney (58.5kg) +450 with Boombet Best Value at Eagle Farm: Flying D’amore Flying D’amore will make her debut for Annabel Neasham on Tuesday, coming off a nice trial victory at Eagle Farm on October 24. This three-year-old filly has won her last two trails over 1000m, and she appears ready to go to the races for her debut. Bailey Wheeler will take the reins for the first-up start, and from barrier 12, we expect him to settle midfield or slightly worse. If the leaders set a solid tempo and Wheeler can get into the three-wide moving line before the turn, Flying D’amore will be charging down the outside late to stake her claim. Best Value Race 5 – #12 Flying D’amore (12) 3yo Filly | T: Annabel Neasham | J: Bailey Wheeler (a2) (54kg) +800 with Dabble Tuesday quaddie tips for Eagle Farm races Eagle Farm quadrella selections Tuesday, November 7, 2023 1-3-4-11-13 2-4-8 1-2-6-9 1-12 | Copy this bet straight to your betslip More horse racing tips View the full article

Champion trainer Chris Waller will have a strong hand in the 2023 Melbourne Cup, with four horses from his stable set to race the 3200m Flemington feature. Waller is one of the star trainers of Australian racing, but has only managed to win the Melbourne Cup on one occasion, when Verry Elleegant won the 2021 edition of the race. In 2023, Waller’s best chance of success is with erratic starter Soulcombe, with bookmakers pricing the gelding at around the $10 quote. It would be a brave man to bet against Waller, who has over 150 group 1 wins, winning another Melbourne Cup for the locals in his career. How many Melbourne Cups has Chris Waller won? Chris Waller has won just the one Melbourne Cup, with James McDonald partnering Verry Elleegant to the 2023 edition of the race. Incentivise and Spanish Mission rounded out the podium. Remarkably, it was Waller and McDonald’s first Melbourne Cup wins, despite being dominant forces in Australian racing for many. years. What horses does Chris Waller have in the 2023 Melbourne Cup? Chris Waller has four horses in the 2023 Melbourne Cup field, with these being Soulcombe, Sheraz, Magical Lagoon and More Felons. Soulcombe (4) T: Chris Waller J: Joao Moreira (53.5kg) Age: 5YO Color: Bay Sex: Gelding Sire: Frankel (GB) Dam: Ribbons (GER) Win: +1000 Place: +260 Best odds at Picklebet More Felons (24) T: Chris Waller J: Jamie Kah (50.5kg) Age: 5YO Color: Bay Sex: Gelding Sire: Churchill (IRE) Dam: Pivotalia (IRE) Win: +3300 Place: +750 Best odds at Betfair Sheraz (22) T: Chris Waller J: Beau Mertens (51.5kg) Age: 7YO Color: Bay Sex: Gelding Sire: Sea The Stars (IRE) Dam: Shemiyla (IRE) Win: +12500 Place: +2200 Best odds at Picklebet Magical Lagoon (7) T: Chris Waller J: Mark Du Plessis (51kg) Age: 5YO Color: Bay Sex: Mare Sire: Galileo (IRE) Dam: Night Lagoon (GB) Win: +10000 Place: +1700 Best odds at Unibet More racing news View the full article

What The Big Dance 2023 Where Royal Randwick Racecourse – Alison Rd, Randwick NSW 2031 When Tuesday, November 7, 2023 Prizemoney $3,000,000 Distance 1600m Status Quality Conditions Three-Years-Old & Up 2022 winner Rustic Steel (3) | T: Kris Lees | J: Nash Rawiller (59kg) Visit Dabble NSW will celebrate the first Tuesday of November for the second-annual running of the Big Dance (1600m) at Royal Randwick. Raced 40 minutes prior to the Melbourne Cup (3200m), the Big Dance brings together a massive 20-horse field of Country Cup winners and runners-up, vying for their chance to secure the major portion of the $3 million prize packet on offer. BIG DANCE 2023 ODDS Two horses currently share favouritism for the Big Dance, with online bookmakers unable to split Cepheus and Iknowastar at +400 apiece. The Chris Waller-trained Wicklow is the only other galloper at single figures at +800 on the second line of betting. You’re getting huge odds about every other runner engaged here, with Akasawa (+900), Wategos (+900), Attractable (+1100), and Superium (+1100) all hovering around the same double-digit prices with horse racing betting sites. BIG DANCE 2023 SPEED MAP There should be a genuine tempo in this year’s Big Dance, with Iknowastar likely to bounce out from barrier three under Tyler Schiller. Attractable (7) has mustered speed in the past and won’t be handing up to the equal-favourite lightly. Banju (15) has drawn awkwardly, but is best ridden to gain a handy position, and the same can be said for Wategos (8) whose shown plenty of early speed in the past. Wicklow (2) will try to hold a position from the inside draw, while Cepheus should gain the box seat from barrier one. With an enormous field of 20 expected to line up here, it’s all but assured a few of these will be cast wide without cover, as Hollywood Hero (19), Akasawa (20) and King Of The Castle (16) have their work cutout for them from wide barriers. BIG DANCE 2023 FORM & BETTING PREVIEW In such a wide-open race, we’re splitting our stake between two horses in the 2023 Big Dance. The first of which is the Chris Waller-trained gelding Wicklow. The son of Twilight Son qualified for the race after a narrow victory in an ultra-competitive Wagga Gold Cup (2000m) on May 5, and since then, it appears the Waller barn have ben targeting this race. He returned first-up behind Unspoken on October 21 and savaged the line over the same track and trip he faces on Tuesday. The only thing that changes is the quality of opposition, and in our opinion, this is easier. Prince Of Helena is the horse we want to make a case for at massive odds with online bookmakers. He’s third-up in the campaign after two solid performances in Victoria, chasing home the likes of Rheinberg and Jennilala with 60.5kgs on his back. The seven-year-old failed to draw a barrier on both occasions, and now with barrier six and 52kgs on his back, Prince Of Helena isn’t going to know himself. Cepheus deserves favourtism and clearly brings the best credentials to this race. He’s scored back-to-back wins – including the Group 2 Shannon Stakes (1500m) at Rosehill on September 23. He’s good enough to win this race, we just have minor knocks on him forced to carry 62kgs at a track he’s never had success at, but his consistency offsets most of those queries. Iknowastar is searching for his fifth win of the preparation on Tuesday and if they leave him alone up on speed, he’s going to look the winner at some stage. The Bjorn Baker-trained gelding is rock hard fit heading into this contest, and he’s bound to take some chasing down in the shadows of the post. BIG DANCE 2023 SELECTIONS & BEST BETS Selections: 4 WICKLOW 15 PRINCE OF HELENA 1 CEPHEUS 8 IKNOWASTAR $100 betting strategy $75 win #4 Wicklow @ +800 with Bet365 $25 win #15 Prince Of Helena @ +2500 with Neds More horse racing tips View the full article

Driver Penalties J Dunn | Kaikoura 29 October (heard Kaikoura 30 October); use of whip; suspended 31 October – 9 November inclusive. R Holmes | Kaikoura 30 October; use of whip; suspended 2-10 November inclusive. P Nairn | Kaikoura 30 October; use of whip; suspended 4-16 November inclusive. K Newman | Kaikoura 30 October; failed to keep straight line in home straight causing interference; suspended 10-16 November inclusive. G Thornley | Kaikoura 29 October (heard Methven 1 November); careless driving; fined $250. J Stormont | Methven 1 November; breach of push out rule; suspended 2-10 November inclusive. J Versteeg | Methven 1 November; use of whip; suspended 2-14 November inclusive. N Williamson | NZ Metropolitan 3 November; medical clearance required. P Nairn | NZ Metropolitan 3 November; breach of push out rule; fined $300. Horse Penalties HIKOI HINE | Kaikoura 30 October; late scratching on veterinary advice; veterinary clearance required. SPELLS OF LOVE | Kaikoura 30 October; showed signs of colic; veterinary clearance required. SPECIAL EFFECTS | Methven 1 November; broke in running; must complete trial. NEYMAR | Auckland 2 November; broke in running; must complete trial. ACTION PACKED | Invercargill 5 November; broke in running; must complete trial. DEMI DARLING | Invercargill 5 November; unsatisfactory performance; must complete trial. Protest HE’S TOUGH | NZ Metropolitan 3 November; denied a fair start; declared a non-runner. The post 30 October – 5 November 2023 appeared first on RIB. View the full article

Billy Egan will ride Vow And Declare in the 2023 Melbourne Cup. Billy Egan has ridden all over Australia for several top trainers, but how many times has he actually won the Melbourne Cup? Egan’s first and only Cup ride was in the 2020 edition, when he partnered Etah James to 17th place. Billy Egan Recent Melbourne Cup Rides Year Placing Horse Trainer Barrier Weight Odds Margin 2020 17/23 Etah James Ciaron Maher & David Eustace 21 52.5kg $101 12.7L Who will Billy Egan ride in the 2023 Melbourne Cup? Billy Egan will ride Danny O’Brien-trained Vow And Declare in the 2023 Melbourne Cup. Vow And Declare won the Melbourne Cup in 2019, but he was last seen running second in the Group 2 Moonee Valley Gold Cup. Vow And Declare (19) T: Danny O’Brien J: Billy Egan (53kg) Age: 8YO Color: Chestnut Sex: Gelding Sire: Declaration Of War (USA) Dam: Geblitzt (NZ) Vow And Declare 2023 Melbourne Cup Odds Win: +3300 Place: +750 Best odds at PendleburyBet Career stats for Vow And Declare Career: 37: 5-7-4 Flemington: 14: 2-1-3 Distance: 3: 1-0-0 Wet: 11: 2-0-2 Good: 26: 3-7-2 Group 1: 15: 1-3-2 Win %: 14% Place %: 38% READ ALSO: 2023 Melbourne Cup Beginners Guide Best Melbourne Cup Betting Sites View the full article

War At Sea rallied to beat Silent Poet in the final jumps in the Golden Gate Handicap (G3).View the full article

Dylan Gibbons will ride Okita Sushi in the 2023 Melbourne Cup. Dylan Gibbons is one of the up-and-coming stars of the Australian jockey ranks, but how many times has he actually won the Melbourne Cup? Gibbons will have his first ride in the race that stops the nation, where he will be legged aboard Okita Soushi. Who will Dylan Gibbons ride in the 2023 Melbourne Cup? Dylan Gibbons will ride the Joseph O’Brien-trained Okita Soushi in the 2023 Melbourne Cup. Okita Soushi ran 12th in the 2023 Caulfield Cup last start at his first run in Australia. Okita Soushi (20) T: Joseph O’Brien J: Dylan Gibbons (51.5kg) Age: 6YO Color: Bay Sex: Stallion Sire: Galileo (IRE) Dam: Amicus (UNR) Okita Soushi 2023 Melbourne Cup Odds 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 Wet: 2: 0-1-0 Good: 9: 2-1-3 Group 1: 1: 0-0-0 Win %: 33% Place %: 69% READ ALSO: 2023 Melbourne Cup Beginners Guide Best Melbourne Cup Betting Sites View the full article

Beau Mertens will ride Sheraz in the 2023 Melbourne Cup. Beau Mertens recorded his maiden Group 1 victory this spring, but how many times has he actually won the Melbourne Cup? Mertens only ride in the race that stops the nation came in 2017, when he was legged aboard Cismontane and finished in 13th place. Beau Mertens Recent Melbourne Cup Rides Year Placing Horse Trainer Barrier Weight Odds Margin 2017 13/23 Cismontane Gai Waterhouse & Adrian Bott 17 50kg $41 12.2L Who will Beau Mertens ride in the 2023 Melbourne Cup? Beau Mertens will ride the Chris Waller-trained Sheraz in the 2023 Melbourne Cup. Sheraz was last seen in the Group 2 Moonee Valley Gold Cup, where he finished eighth of 14. Sheraz (22) T: Chris Waller J: Beau Mertens (51.5kg) Age: 7YO Color: Bay Sex: Gelding Sire: Sea The Stars (IRE) Dam: Shemiyla (IRE) Sheraz 2023 Melbourne Cup Odds Win: +12500 Place: +2200 Best odds at Picklebet Career stats for Sheraz Career: 23: 4-5-2 Flemington: 2: 0-0-0 Distance: 1: 0-1-0 Wet: 17: 4-5-1 Good: 6: 0-0-1 Group 1: 2: 1-0-0 Win %: 17% Place %: 48% READ ALSO: 2023 Melbourne Cup Beginners Guide Best Melbourne Cup Betting Sites View the full article

The threat of a Tuesday afternoon thunderstorm has Victoria Race Club Senior Track Manager Liam O’Keeffe keeping a close eye on the forecast ahead of Melbourne Cup Day. View the full article

Though unwanted in the betting on exposed trial form, the New Zealand bred Sacred Buddy (NZ) (Sacred Falls) still blitzed his rivals on debut by four and a half lengths in the Open Maiden race (1200m) at Kranji on Saturday. Purchased as an unraced galloper from New Zealand on the back of three solid trials for Levin trainer Josh Shaw, Sacred Buddy arrived in Singapore at Trainer Desmond Koh’s stable in July and took no time to settle into life at Kranji. A few months later, the four-year-old son of Sacred Falls had his one and only trial in Singapore, where he finished second to Silver Dragon who finished down the track on debut on 28 October. On jumping, though, it was Sacred Buddy who pinged the gates from barrier nine and took up the lead. At the 500m, jockey Iskandar Rosman looked to be struggling to hold Sacred Buddy together and the pair had pulled their way to a one-length lead heading into the straight before the young jockey gave his mount some reins at the 350m. The margin slowly extended to two lengths but when Iskandar got serious with a couple of cracks of the whip at the 200m, Sacred Buddy found another gear – maybe two – to extend his margin to close to five lengths in a heartbeat, before being eased down to win officially by four-and-a-half-lengths on the line. The winning time was 1min 9.99secs for the 1200m on the Short Course. Sacred Buddy’s debut win added over S$10,000 of earnings for the Blazing Expectations Stable. Although Koh was not on course to cheer on his 15th winner of the year, the Singaporean handler was more than happy with how things panned out from afar. “He’s a nice horse,” said Koh. “He was training well towards this race. He was eating well and training with enthusiasm. “We had the jockey (Iskandar) urged him forward. He (Sacred Buddy) was still a little green but he’s got good tactical speed. He was a little keen on the rider around the bend, but he ran on well. “It was a nice ride by Iskandar considering the horse looked hard to settle. He didn’t go too early, which was a good move, and the horse responded when asked for an effort. “A good ride and a good win.” Iskandar was not as bullish as Koh before the race, but he was glad with how things turned out. “I rode him in trackwork, but he didn’t show much,” said the two-kilo claimer from Malaysia. “I wanted to ride him in third or fourth with cover but instead, we led. “The horse was nervous but gave me a good feel in the straight. He won very well.” Other New Zealand bred winners in Singapore on Saturday include Ben Wade (NZ) (Ferlax), My Boss (NZ) (Rock ‘n’ Pop) & Axel (NZ) (Darci Brahma). View the full article

Ascot Park-based trainer Sally McKay is looking forward to the traditional Melbourne Cup raceday at Wingatui on Tuesday with a small but select team of runners engaged. Central amongst those is stable star Henry Hubber (NZ) (Rip Van Winkle) who will tackle the main race on the day, the Grand Casino (1400m) open handicap where he looks likely to start one of the main fancies. The statuesque five-year-old has won four of his last six stars and although a last start eighth at Ashburton blots the impressive form line, it is a run that McKay is prepared to overlook. “He didn’t have much luck last time,” McKay said. “He got well back and they were smoking along up front but his sectionals were exceptional as he had to do a lot of work.. “He is the sort of horse that needs an uninterrupted run and I think he can get that on Tuesday so I’m really looking forward to seeing him perform up to his best.” McKay has opted to start at Wingatui instead of taking the son of Rip Van Winkle to Christchurch for the first day of the New Zealand Cup Carnival on 11 November. “I had been thinking I might go to Riccarton for the Pegasus Stakes (Listed, 1000m) on the first day of the Carnival,” she said. “It’s a long way from Invercargill and we have him set for the Stewards Stakes (Listed, 1200m) at Riccarton a week later so two trips in a week and racing on very firm tracks wasn’t really the best for him. “The 1400m at Wingatui will fit him nicely for Riccarton as the Stewards always suits a tough horse that can finish on and that is what he is best at.” McKay is also keen to see how her debutant winner Rochello (NZ) (Highly Recommended) measures up in a higher grade when she tackles the rating 65 1200m contest at Wingatui, where leading rider Tina Comignaghi retains the mount. “Rochello was just superb at Gore first up and I think she is a mare with a very good future,” she said. “She did her early work and education with Meg Cuneen and then made her way to me and I’ve liked her from day one. “She had only had the one jumpout before her debut and although she was a little green at times, I thought she did a super job to win there. “Tuesday will be a big test as there are some very nice horses lining up, but on her work since her first up effort I’m expecting her to measure up.” Amongst the rivals for Rochello is stablemate Earl Of Orkney (NZ) (Burgundy) who is possibly in his last season of racing although McKay admits you wouldn’t think the eight-year-old believes that. “Earl Of Orkney is second up and I’ve thought this could possibly be his last campaign,” McKay said. “His form doesn’t read well but his work of late has been exceptional. “He is bouncing around like a two-year-old and if he could recapture some of his old form they will know he has been in the race.” View the full article

Last start Group Three winner Town Cryer (NZ) (Tavistock) is ready to make another bold statement when she tackles the Listed Fulton Family Stakes (1500m) at Pukekohe on Tuesday. The Roydon Bergerson-trained six-year-old mare upset the applecart somewhat at Hawera last month when defeating hot favourite Prowess (NZ) (Proisir) in the Gr.3 Taranaki Breeders’ Stakes (1400m), however for Bergerson it was the performance he had been expecting from his charge. “She may have been a little lucky to get that last win against such a quality galloper as Prowess, but she did all the work out in front and was very strong to the line,” Bergerson said. “I thought she deserved it and was a real statement as to how she has matured for this campaign. “She has been a different horse in some respects and she has trained on brilliantly since then. “In fact, she has been pretty full of herself as we have freshened her up and she will be ready to go on Tuesday.” Bergerson is keen to see the daughter of Tavistock produce her best as he looks to enhance a career in the breeding barn further down the track with a potential Group One win. “I’d like to see her in her normal racing pattern again, where she can be on the speed as that is when she is hardest to beat,” he said. “She is as touch as old boots and very hard to get past when she gets that bloody-minded attitude. “She also loves the wide open spaces so I expect her to relish the Pukekohe track. “Safely through this one then the Group One mile at Trentham (TAB Classic Gr.1, 1600m) in early December is her main aim. “If she can get some Group One black type on her record then she will be a very valuable mare for when she retires and begins a breeding career.” Town Cryer is a daughter of former Cambridge Stud stallion Tavistock and is out of the Volksraad mare The Speaker, a three-quarter sister to Gr.1 Wellington Cup (3200m) winner Willy Smith who also finished runner-up in the 2008 Gr.1 Zabeel Classic (2000m) at Ellerslie. View the full article

Leading New Zealand rider Opie Bosson was enjoying a leisurely start to the day in Melbourne on Sunday after not quite getting the results he was looking for on the first day of the massive Melbourne Cup Carnival 24 hours earlier. Bosson took four rides at Flemington on Saturday with his best result being a fifth-placed finish on the Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott-trained Alcohol Free in the Gr.1 Empire Rose Stakes (1600m), with his other mounts finishing towards the rear despite his best efforts. “It was a shame I couldn’t get a result but sometimes that is how it can go,” Bosson said. “Alcohol Free was my best and she was very honest in running fifth although she didn’t quite finish it off like I had hoped. “It was a fairly hectic pace and she was off the nickel most of the way. “I think Gai is going to give her a break now, but in her next campaign I can see her running out a strong mile or even 2000m. “I also rode Gold Bullion for Gai and Adrian in the Derby (Gr.1, 2500m) but he never really travelled and was feeling the ground so he had his excuses.” While he couldn’t post a winner, Bosson is keen to rectify that on the Mark Walker-trained Skew Wiff (NZ) (Savabeel) in the Gr.3 Hong Kong Jockey Club Stakes (1400m) on Melbourne Cup day on Tuesday. “She (Skew Wiff) has got a tricky barrier draw (12) on Tuesday but I think she can definitely be very competitive,” Bosson said. “She finished sixth last time after missing her first run when she was late scratched so it was six weeks between runs and she ran out of puff a little. “I would think Mark has worked her along since then and she should be spot on for Tuesday. “I really haven’t done the form for the race yet, that is a job for this evening or tomorrow (Monday) but at her best she can give the race a decent shake.” Bosson will fly back to New Zealand on Tuesday night before returning to Melbourne on Friday to prepare to ride star sprinter Imperatriz (I Am Invincible) in the A$3million Gr.1 Champions Sprint (1200m) on the last day of the Carnival. He is leaving nothing to chance for the race including enlisting the services of a former champion jockey to give him some pointers on negotiating the intricacies of the unique straight course 1200m dash. “Imperatriz has been flying so it is exciting to get to ride her again in such a prestigious race,” he said. “While I have been doing this for a few years now there is always a special feeling when you mount up on the big racedays. “I tend to block out the crowd noise and all that and contrate on my job but with this mare doing such amazing things there will always be a little more pressure on the day. “I’m actually heading to Flemington to walk the track with Glen Boss and I will be picking his brain about how best to negotiate the unique straight six at Flemington as I don’t want to leave anything to chance. “Imperatriz is right where Mark wants her and she is feeling so well she has tried to buck me off heading to the start for her last two races. “It’s a trait she has had since she was a youngster and it is a good sign as I take it to be her telling me to concentrate and hang on!” View the full article

Mark Du Plessis will ride Magical Lagoon in the 2023 Melbourne Cup. Mark Du Plessis has plied his trade all around the world, and in doing so he has amassed 16 Group 1 winners, but how many times has he actually won the Melbourne Cup? Mark Du Plessis has ridden in four Melbourne Cups, with his best finish coming in 2016 when he finished ninth aboard Pentathlon. Mark Du Plessis Recent Melbourne Cup Rides Year Placing Horse Trainer Barrier Weight Odds Margin 2017 9/24 Pentathlon John Wheeler 4 51.5kg $81 9.4L 2010 19/23 Red Ruler John Sargent 7 53.5kg $301 20.05L Who will Mark Du Plessis ride in the 2023 Melbourne Cup? Magical Lagoon (7) T: Chris Waller J: Mark Du Plessis (51kg) Age: 5YO Color: Bay Sex: Mare Sire: Galileo (IRE) Dam: Night Lagoon (GB) Magical Lagoon 2023 Melbourne Cup Odds Win: +10000 Place: +1700 Best odds at Unibet Career stats for Magical Lagoon Career: 13: 3-1-0 Flemington: 0: 0-0-0 Distance: 0: 0-0-0 Wet: 2: 0-0-0 Good: 11: 3-1-0 Group 1: 3: 1-0-0 Win %: 23% Place %: 31% READ ALSO: 2023 Melbourne Cup Beginners Guide Best Melbourne Cup Betting Sites View the full article

Damien Oliver’s final Melbourne Cup is in jeopardy after a veterinary’s discovery on his ride Alenquer on Sunday morning. View the full article

Hollie Doyle will ride Future History in the 2023 Melbourne Cup. Hollie Doyle is another up-and-coming star jockey who has already won eight Group 1’s, but how many times has she actually won the Melbourne Cup? If Doyle or any of the three female riders are to win the 2023 Melbourne Cup, they will join Michelle Payne as the only two women to win the race that stops the nation. Hollie Doyle will have her first Cup ride in 2023 when she partners with Future History. Who will Hollie Doyle ride in the 2023 Melbourne Cup? Hollie Doyle will ride the Ciaron Maher & David Eutace-trained Future History in the 2023 Melbourne Cup. Future History won his way into the Cup by taking out the Group 3 Bart Cummings, but he was last seen finishing third in the Group 2 Moonee Valley Gold Cup. Future History (13) T: Ciaron Maher & David Eustace J: Hollie Doyle (50kg) Age: 6YO Color: Bay Sex: Gelding Sire: Showcasing (GB) Dam: Likelihood (USA) Future History 2023 Melbourne Cup Odds Win: +2500 Place: +600 Best odds at Boombet Career stats for Future History Career: 16: 6-4-1 Flemington: 1: 1-0-0 Distance: 0: 0-0-0 Wet: 9: 3-2-0 Good: 6: 3-2-1 Group 1: 0: 0-0-0 Win %: 38% Place %: 69% READ ALSO: 2023 Melbourne Cup Beginners Guide Best Melbourne Cup Betting Sites View the full article

Zac Lloyd won the 2022/23 Sydney Apprentice Jockey Premiership, but how many times has he actually won the Melbourne Cup? Lloyd will have his maiden Melbourne Cup ride in 2023, when he partners Kalapour in the 3200m classic. Who will Zac Lloyd ride in the 2023 Melbourne Cup? Zac Lloyd will ride the Kris Lees-trained Kalapour in the 2023 Melbourne Cup. Kalapour won his way into the Cup after he claimed the Group 3 Archer Stakes at his last start. Kalapour (14) T: Kris Lees J: Zac Lloyd (50kg) Age: 7YO Color: Bay Sex: Gelding Sire: War Command (IRE) Dam: Daldiyna (FR) Kalapour 2023 Melbourne Cup Odds Win: +4500 Place: +1000 Best odds at Bet365 Career stats for Kalapour Career: 19: 5-3-4 Flemington: 1: 1-0-0 Distance: 0: 0-0-0 Wet: 4: 1-1-0 Good: 14: 4-2-4 Group 1: 1: 0-0-1 Win %: 26% Place %: 63% READ ALSO: 2023 Melbourne Cup Beginners Guide Best Melbourne Cup Betting Sites View the full article

Ben Thompson is one of the leading jockey in Queensland, but how many times has he actually won the Melbourne Cup? Thompson has only ridden in the race that stops the nation once, where he finished last aboard Rose Of Virginia in 2016. Ben Thompson Recent Melbourne Cup Rides Year Placing Horse Trainer Barrier Weight Odds Margin 2016 24/24 Rose Of Virginia Lee Hope 8 51kg $61 99.9L Who will Ben Thompson ride in the 2023 Melbourne Cup? Ben Thompson will ride the Matthew Smith-trained True Marvel in the 2023 Melbourne Cup. True Marvel was last seen finishing 10th in the Group 2 Moonee Valley Gold Cup. True Marvel (14) T: Matthew Smith J: Ben Thompson (50kg) Age: 8YO Color: Brown Sex: Gelding Sire: Masked Marvel (GB) Dam: Anecdotique (GB) True Marvel 2023 Melbourne Cup Odds Win: +15000 Place: +2500 Best odds at Unibet Career stats for True Marvel Career: 53: 8-7-5 Flemington: 3: 0-0-0 Distance: 6: 1-2-1 Wet: 25: 6-4-1 Good: 28: 2-3-4 Group 1: 1: 0-1-0 Win %: 15% Place %: 38% READ ALSO: 2023 MC Beginners Guide Best MC Betting Sites View the full article

Okita Soushi is Joseph O’Brien’s sole runner in the 2023 Melbourne Cup. A winner at Royal Ascot in June, Okita Soushi will need to bounce back from a poor showing the Caulfield Cup on his Australian debut. Can Okita Soushi land his trainer a third win in the Melbourne Cup in the 2023 edition? When will Okita Soushi run in the Melbourne Cup? The Melbourne Cup will be run on the first Tuesday in November at Flemington in front of a sold out crowd. The one thing that hasn’t changed about the 2023 Melbourne Cup is the horses. Once again The Cup has brought together an elite field of Melbourne Cup horses to contest the two mile race for $8.41 million. 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% Melbourne Cup results for Okita Soushi Okita Soushi will make his Melbourne Cup debut on November 7, 2023. Recent Form for Okita Soushi Date Race Track Distance Placing Jockey Barrier Weight Odds Margin Oct 21 Caulfield Cup Caulfield 2400m 12/18 Kerrin McEvoy 12 51.5kg $31 9.9L Aug 20 Irish St Leger Trial Curragh 2816m 3/4 Mikey Sheehy 4 61kg $5.50 6.5L June 23 Duke of Edinburgh Stakes Ascot 2414m 1/18 Ryan Moore 9 61kg $10 – May 19 Levmoss Stakes Leopardstown 2816m 5/9 Mikey Sheehy 4 59.5kg $10 3L 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. Watch Okita Soushi Finish 12th in the 2023 Caulfield Cup READ ALSO: 2023 MC BEGINNERS GUIDE BEST MC BETTING SITES How do you think Okita Soushi will go in the 2023 Melbourne Cup? Give us your thoughts in the box below! View the full article

Cleveland will be looking to join the likes of Kingston Rule, Wodalla and Blue Spec to complete the Moonee Valley Gold Cup/Melbourne Cup double. The Kris Lees-trained stayers has always threatened to win a big race since arriving in Australia and will get his chance to do so in the 2023 Melbourne Cup. Can Cleveland etch his name into Melbourne Cup folklore? When will Cleveland run in the Melbourne Cup? The Melbourne Cup will be run on the first Tuesday in November at Flemington in front of a sold out crowd. The one thing that hasn’t changed about the 2023 Melbourne Cup is the horses. Once again The Cup has brought together an elite field of Melbourne Cup horses to contest the two mile race for $8.41 million. Cleveland (23) T: Kris Lees J: Michael Dee (52kg) Age: 6YO Color: Bay Sex: Horse Sire: Camelot (GB) Dam: Venus de Milo (IRE) Win: +2500 Place: +550 Best odds at Neds Career stats for Cleveland Career: 15: 3-3-0 Flemington: 0: 0-0-0 Distance: 1: 0-0-0 Good: 9: 2-3-0 Wet: 6: 1-0-0 Group 1: 3: 0-0-0 Win %: 20% Place %: 40% Melbourne Cup results for Cleveland The Kris Lees-trained Cleveland will make his Melbourne Cup debut on November 7, 2023. Recent Form for Cleveland Date Race Track Distance Placing Jockey Barrier Weight Odds Margin Oct 27 Moonee Valley Gold Cup Moonee Valley 2500m 1/14 James McDonald 9 55kg $6.50 – Oct 14 ATC St Leger Stakes Randwick 2600m 2/10 James McDonald 4 55.5kg $3.80 2.71L Sep 30 The Metropolitan Randwick 2400m 6/15 Damien Oliver 12 54.5kg $16 6.14L Sep 15 Newcastle Gold Cup Newcastle 2300m 9/16 Ben Melham 15 58kg $4.40 4.54L Can Cleveland win the 2023 Melbourne Cup? Cleveland was the beneficiary of Vow And Declare’s bad luck in the Moonee Valley Gold Cup and brings ok enough form to be considered a chance on Tuesday. He was given an inch-perfect steer from James McDonald on that night, but from barrier 23, we have our concerns as to where he will land from the barrier. If he goes back to the rear, Cleveland doesn’t have the turn of foot that some of his rivals have. If he rolls forward, he is likely to be trapped wide throughout, potentially without cover. On that basis, we’re happy to leave Cleveland alone in the Cup. Watch Cleveland Finish 1st in the 2023 Moonee Valley Gold Cup READ ALSO: 2023 MC BEGINNERS GUIDE BEST MC BETTING SITES How do you think Cleveland will go in the 2023 Melbourne Cup? Give us your thoughts in the box below! View the full article

Right You Are has been ticking over nicely for the Ciaron Maher & David Eustace stable, but it does look like the most tested of their five runners in this year’s Melbourne Cup. The seven-year-old hasn’t been disgraced chasing home Group 1 company throughout the preparation, but with a tricky barrier to overcome and the 3200m a total unknown. Let’s see if we can make a case for Right You Are in this year’s Melbourne Cup. When will Right You Are run in the Melbourne Cup The Melbourne Cup will be run on the first Tuesday in November at Flemington in front of a sold out crowd. The one thing that hasn’t changed about the 2023 Melbourne Cup is the horses. Once again The Cup has brought together an elite field of Melbourne Cup horses to contest the two mile race for $8.41 million. Right You Are (15) T: Ciaron Maher & David Eustace J: John Allen (53kg) Age: 7YO Color: Bay Sex: Gelding Sire: So You Think (NZ) Dam: Leica Ding (NZ) Win: +8000 Place: +1500 Best odds at Unibet Career: 26: 10-4-4 | Flemington: 6: 2-1-2 | Distance: – Good: 16: 7-1-4 | Wet: 10: 3-3-0 | Group 1: 3: 0-0-0 | Win %: 38% | Place %: 69% Career stats for Right You Are Career: 26: 10-4-4 Flemington: 6: 2-1-2 Distance: 0: 0-0-0 Good: 16: 7-1-4 Wet: 10: 3-3-0 Group 1: 3: 0-0-0 Win %: 38% Place %: 69% Melbourne Cup results for Right You Are Right You Are will make his Melbourne Cup debut in the 2023 edition on Tuesday, November 7. Recent Form for Right You Are Date Race Track Distance Placing Jockey Barrier Weight Odds Margin Oct 21 Caulfield Cup Caulfield 2400m 5/18 Michael Dee 13 53kg $41 4.1L Oct 7 Turnbull Stakes Flemington 2000m 11/16 Dean Yendall/td> 14 55kg $15 7.8L Sep 23 Underwood Stakes Caulfield 1800m 5/15 Ben Allen 2 59kg $17 2.1L Sep 2 BM100 Caulfield 1600m 2/15 Matthew Cartwright 5 62kg $5.50 0.2L Can Right You Are win the 2023 Melbourne Cup? Right You Are has been going along ok this campaign, without ever really threatening. He was one of the best of the pace setters in a keenly contested Caulfield Cup, finishing fifth, beaten 4.15 lengths. He will be in the leading division once again on Tuesday, but we have doubts about whether he can see out 3200m and will be outclassed in this. Watch Soulcombe Finish 5th in the 2023 Caulfield Cup READ ALSO: 2023 MC BEGINNERS GUIDE BEST MC BETTING SITES How do you think Soulcombe will go in the 2023 Melbourne Cup? Give us your thoughts in the box below! View the full article