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2015 Melbourne Cup day: A few tips for the 'other' races on Cup day

(AAP Image/Julian Simth)
Roar Guru
2nd November, 2015
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The Melbourne Cup is the greatest advert for racing in Australia, generating enormous publicity and anticipation. However, there are nine other races at Flemington on Tuesday, and as a general rule it’s a pretty good day of betting away from the Cup.

2015 MELBOURNE CUP LIVE UPDATES, RESULT

Looking back, since 2010 a bit over a quarter of winning horses on Cup day have gone on to win a group race, including Group 1 winners Grand Marshall and Plucky Belle.

So, with decent horses running around, big fields and plenty of money in the pools, it might pay to spend a little less time on the Cup, and a bit more on the supporting cast.

More 2015 Melbourne Cup
>> 2015 Melbourne Cup news
>> 2015 Melbourne Cup preview and top tips
>> 2015 Melbourne Cup runner-by-runner guide
>> Tips for all 10 races on Melbourne Cup day
>> Melbourne Cup weather

With that in mind, here are my thoughts on a few of the races on Cup day, so you know which horses to cross off.

I won’t lie and say that I have any idea about Race 1, where there are 11 first starters engaged.

Race 2, however, is a 1700-metre mares’ race, featuring a few handy types. Precious Gem is looking to win this race for the second year running, and her close up second to Amicus here last month would win this, but her last two runs haven’t been up to the required standard.

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Meanwhile, Zarzali has been getting a little bit out of her ground and will surely settle closer in the smaller field. Her Queensland form was sound, fourth to Winx in the Oaks and third in the Princess Stakes, and she’s coming off a third in a Group 3 at Randwick. Lilly Dazzler may well improve off her last run, where she didn’t quite make it through, while Inishowen is also capable of running a race.

Selections
Zarzali to beat Lily Dazzler.

Race 3 is a bit of a Cup consolation, where a few would have found themselves finishing in the back half of the Cup field 20 years ago. My old mate Crafty Cruiser is running around, hopefully the caterers have the sandwiches prepared, and while he looks in need of a spell, he does have a habit of turning his form around dramatically from time to time.

There are a few key lead-up races to this, with Renew and De Little Engine two of the better runs out of the Geelong Cup, while Pop ‘N’ Scotch, Annus Mirablis and Falamonte came up short against Zanteca at Geelong, who was very unlucky not to win the Lexus either on the course, or arguably in the steward’s room.

I’m sure Four Carat will have plenty of admirers after beating Gingerboy at Caulfield.

However, Gingerboy now drops to 54 kilograms, and was held up at a vital stage at the Caulfield. He seems to have benefited from going over some hurdles, which is not uncommon. I suspect he or Annus Mirabilis will go forward, make it into a staying test, and be very had to catch.

Selections
Gingerboy to beat Annus Mirabilis and Renew, but have a saver on Crafty Cruiser at odds.

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Skipping through to Race 8, and we have many chances. This time last year Desert Jeuney was aiming at the Emirates after placings in the Toorak Handicap and Crystal Mile. This year he’s dropping back in distance after a win in lower class at Pakenham and a respectable fourth in the JRA Cup.

Sadler’s Lake also drops back in distance – he’ll relish the long straight at Caulfield and the 1800 metres – while Malice turned in a decent effort in the Crystal Mile ahead of Hopfgarten. He or She has been very impressive, while Awesome Rock only needs to repeat his last start second in the David Jones Cup to be right in the mix. The distance is a little short of what Tall Ship wants, but the Terang Cup winner also has claims.

Selections
Sadler’s Lake to beat Desert Jeuney and Malice.

In the 3200 metre handicap, I’m going to have something sneaky each-way on Sky Hunter, who I notice was beaten only two lengths in the 2013 French Derby.

Good luck and good punting!

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