Next week a dozen of the top stayers in the world will enter quarantine in their home country to prepare for their late-September flight to Australia for the Melbourne Cup.
And a few weeks after that, another four or five are expected to land in the Victorian capital.
It continues a trend that has built over 20 years. In 1993 Drum Taps and Vintage Crop travelled from England and Ireland respectively for the Melbourne Cup.
Drum Taps could only finish ninth but Vintage Crop won the race for Dermot Weld and the Cup has been on the agenda for any owner or trainer of quality stayers since.
And until the last few years I think the positives of an international Melbourne Cup have outweighed the negatives. Between 1994 and 2009, the international contingent on the first Tuesday of November has fluctuated between a low of three in Efficient’s 2007 Cup to a high of eight in Media Puzzle’s emotion-charged victory in 2002.
These internationals created plenty of interest in both Australia and overseas and the Melbourne Cup has developed into one of the world’s most important races.
And the emergence of the ‘international raider’ has helped the quality of the Cup. Australian staying stocks have been in decline for decades and the Melbourne Cup, as a Group One staying handicap has suffered through various parts of the last 30 years as a direct result.
Internationally-trained Melbourne Cup entrants have strengthened the field to such an extent that the quality of the race now reflects the importance Australians place on it. The great handicap has, in my opinion, become Australia’s strongest race on the calendar.
To win the Cup in 2012 a horse has to be either be a progressive handicapper that will soon develop into a genuine weight-for-age performer (in the mould of 2009 Cup winner Shocking and 2011 Cup winner Dunaden) or a star that has the power and class to concede weight to their rivals over two miles (like Makybe Diva did in 2005).
And this requirement – along with international contingents of nine in 2010, 11 in 2011 and as many as 14 in 2012 – has changed Australia’s great handicap.
The Melbourne Cup has lost its soul.
For most of the last 150 years the Melbourne Cup was a true handicap – an opportunity for the battler to scrape into the field with a low weight and tackle the seasoned performers at the top.
The idea of the handicap endeared itself to the Australian people and culture. The quality of the field didn’t matter.
Any person, with any thoroughbred, hoped their horse could progress to win a Stakes grade staying race to qualify for the Cup.
And when they did, it was fantastic. One of my favourite Melbourne Cup stories focuses on a horse called Dolphin Jo.
Dolphin Jo started his career in 2005 in maidens at Horsham (population 14000) where he finished tenth and Nhill (population 1900) running fifth.
It took him another eight starts to break his maiden – in a Class One at Ballarat over 2200 metres by over three lengths. He then made the big step to win a three-year old Open Handicap at Caulfield, in Melbourne, before taking the Listed VRC St Leger over 2800 at Flemington.
That victory qualified Dolphin Jo for not only the 2006 Melbourne Cup but all its key lead-ups including the Herbert Power (where he finished tenth) and the Moonee Valley Cup (sixth).
As an 80/1 chance, he finished 15th in the Melbourne Cup. It proved a valuable experience for Dolphin Jo.
Because when he returned the following spring –having been without victory in his last 17 starts – his handicap was still high enough; boosted after running in races like the Melbourne Cup that he was able to enter key Cup lead-ups in 2007.
Dolphin Jo had improved significantly. He won the Listed Bart Cummings in October; finished fourth and sixth in the Herbert Power and Moonee Valley Cup respectively, and entered the Melbourne Cup as a 60/1 chance.
And Dolphin Jo, the battler from Stawell in Western Victoria, ran like a horse possessed to finish a more than creditable fifth.
Owner Glenis Herrmann – who appeared to be in her 70s – described the feeling after the race: “We have been involved in racehorses for 20 years and have only really been buggerising around but this bloke has given us the biggest thrill in a long, long time.”
The 2007 Cup is perhaps the most significant Cup in recent times. There were only three non-Australasian trained gallopers in the field and, as such, it can be regarded as the last largely non-international Melbourne Cup for, what I anticipate to be, many years.
I don’t think we will be seeing too many Dolphin Jo stories in the years to come. And it’s sad because they are the stories that make the Melbourne Cup special.
In two months, when the Melbourne Cup is run, I suspect a record 12 gallopers will be trained overseas; six will be imported from other countries and trained by Australians, and the remaining six will be a combination of Australian and New Zealanders.
It’s not what the Melbourne Cup is about. The obvious solution to this problem would be to reverse the decisions made by the VRC in recent years. Many races that guarantee the victor, and often the placegetters, a spot in the Melbourne Cup have been stripped of these exemptions.
By reinstating these ballot clauses, the Cup would quickly return to being a largely Australian handicap. The battler would once again be able to pit themselves against the star.
I would love the world’s great trainers to bring half as many horses to Flemington and instead focus on the Cox Plate. And if all the entrants were from overseas, it wouldn’t bother me because as a Championship race, the 2040-metre classic deserves the best it can get.
Many overseas trainers avoid Moonee Valley due to its tight-turning nature and also because the Cox Plate runs in close proximity to, what they view as more prestigious races like the Arc de Triomphe and Breeders Cup meeting.
I think there is an opportunity for the Sydney-based Australian Turf Club to make April’s BMW a truly international event. As a $2.5m, 2400 metre weight-for-age race, the BMW should be appealing to many owners and trainers.
It is situated perfectly; near the beginning of the European flat season but before the prestige of Royal Ascot and Glorious Goodwood, and Rosehill is one of Australia’s largest racecourses. But no international has ever competed in it.
And with our thin staying ranks, it wouldn’t take a horse of the quality of Frankel to win it either.
Sh00ter
Roar Pro
Hey Justin, I played golf with a guy on Tuesday who would totally agree with you on the Cup becoming "too international" and losing some of its soul. I personally love the Vintage Crop and Media Puzzle stories as well as studying the overseas entrants to see how they might measure up. I think the problem in Australia compared to Europe is the number of races over 2000m is reversed (i.e. 20%/80% v 80%/20%). With the majority of the industry here geared towards short course racing, we can not expect to produce the depth of stayers required to fill the majority of the field. Until that changes I don't think making more lead up races around the country exempt will change things much, but there should definitely be some. Lloyd Williams would have some interesting things to say about it and he going about producing quality Cup entrants under difficult circumstances so it can be done. Another great Australian Melbourne Cup story was Leica Falcon in 2005. Won a Corowa Class 1 by 5l over 1400m, jumped up to 2000m in a Class 4 at Wagga winning by 6.5l, came to Sandown and won a handicap over 2400m by 2.5l, that got him a start in the Winning Edge at Caulfield over 2400m (which he won by 2.5l), before he lucklessly ran 5th and 4th respectively in the Caulfield and Melbourne Cups. Australian horses will still have freakish cup lead ups from time to time but unless the industry increases the number of staying races, associated prizemoney and breeding incentives not much will change. The industry seems pretty content with a dominance of short course racing and while that's the case, I am happy to open the flood gates to the world's best stayers.
sheek
Roar Guru
Yeah, fair points. i guess another question is whether we should be concerned about the Dubai meet at all. Sure, we can't compete money-wise, but all the money in the world won't give Dubai the racing we have here in Australia. Assuming our racing isn't ruined by local self-interests.....
CaptainSensible
Guest
The Australian Cup could be upgraded however its still going to be in competition with the Dubai World Cup meeting in March. We simply cannot compete with the seemingly endless reserves of money they have. You could make the Australian Cup $10 million and they'd just make the World Cup $20 million. Swap the Mackinnon Stks with the Australian Cup or rebadge the Mackinnon to become the Australian Cup ?? Right name, right time slot and would only add to the world famous Flemington Spring Racing Carnival.....
sheek
Guest
I would suggest the 'sleeper' race (that is, enormous room for development) on the Australian calendar is the Australian Cup. Firstly, it has the appropriate name. Secondly, it is run at our premier racetrack - Flemington (with apologies to Royal Randwick just down the road from where I live). Secondly, it is now a WFA race, but previously a handicap, & with a rich history stretching back to 1863 (just two years after the Melbourne Cup kicked off). The one thing I'm not crazy about is the distance - 2000m. On a wide, open track like Flemington, I would like to see a more challenging distance, say around 2400m, which would make it our equivalent of Prix de l'Arc or King George. However, 2400m is not possible at Flemington because it would be set too close to the bend past the finishing post, which is why most races of that distance are extended to 2500m. Imagine, a gut-busting 2500m WFA Australian Cup. That would really be something to savour. Besides, we already have the HE Tancred Stakes (BMW) over 2400m at Rosehill Gardens. Alternately, the Australian Cup could be set at 2200m. I've looked at the race course, & there is an area near the Maribyrnong river where a small extension to the chute could be made, allowing a 2200m start. Why 2200m? Well, it would then mean our 3 greatest WFA races would increase in distance as the season went on. 1. MVRC WS Cox Plate, 2040m at Moonee Valley. 2. VRC Australian Cup, 2200m at Flemington. 3. ATC HE Tancred Stakes (BMW), 2400m at Rosehill Gardens.
sheek
Guest
And Tristan, Being a horse-lover yourself, you should have given Justin a regular gig long before this. ;-) Justin is "gold", to use that silly phrase. It's interesting also. I think I posted an article on the charms of the Melbourne Cup way back in either 2008 or 09, but it received a lukewarm response. There just didn't seem to be many roarers back then who were also racing fans. But that seems to have changed now.....
Cam Larkin
Roar Guru
The whinging has started I see.
CaptainSensible
Guest
I agree Dubai doesn't suit everyone but the money does and the logistics do. The European trainers are more likely to travel there than Australia and it holds no fears for the Americans. In fact, most European trainers are happy to race on dirt or synthetic tracks at the Breeders Cup and we all saw how well their horses did at this years Dubai World Cup meeting so Dubai really holds no fears for them. I just feel our spring is the best chance as we already have big money on offer and many trainers are starting to become accustomed to bringing horses here at that time of the year for our Caulfield & Melbourne Cups so why not bring along another, like a high class horse who is not going to the Arc. A Frankel !!
Justin Cinque
Expert
That is true but not every horse is suited to Dubai conditions. The racing calendar is pretty full all year round. I agree - the Cox Plate should be the race but for America and East Asia I think there is merit in the BMW and I say again, Dubai doesn't suit everyone.
Justin Cinque
Expert
Bondy I've just made a starstable league for Roarers - check out league code 723343
CaptainSensible
Guest
Whilst The BMW Stakes would be a good race to promote internationally as its over the classic distance and is wfa there are a few races in mid to late March which clash with it, namely the US$10 million Dubai World Cup (2000m), the US$5 million Sheema Classic (2400m) & $5 million Dubai Duty Free (1800m) on Dubai World Cup night. Many of the world's big trainers have multiple horses run at that meeting. The BMW will never be able to compete with unlimited $$ the sheiks can throw at those races. We would be much better off promoting the Cox Plate as many trainers already have horses here for the Cups so it would be much easier for them to bring a 2000m wfa type along as well. The VRC could even consider moving the Mackinnon Stks from Derby day to Stakes day the week after, at least double the stakemoney and promote that race along with the Cox Plate in a 2 race wfa series, which would work well sitting alongside the 2 race 'cups series'
CaptainSensible
Guest
Bondy there have been a few Australian trained foreign horses that have won the Melbourne Cup.....Beldale Ball, At Talaq & Jeune instantly spring to mind. Kingston Rule & Makybe Diva were 'foreign' bred but Australian owned & trained. Americain is 'foreign' bred & trained but Australian owned. We'll likely see more in the next few years. If the race is to be promoted as the 'world championship staying race' which is how the VRC promotes it and how the world's pre emminent handicappers rate it then it needs to be open to all comers, should they either qualify or have the form that warrants a start. They just need to tinker with the qualifying clauses to ensure we get the best possible field of relatively in form stayers. Maybe add a few more lead up races in the spring which qualify a horse. Maybe exempt some placegetters in the better Group class lead up races. Maybe the last 4 places in the field be kept for horses who the VRC deem either in form/not qualified or high in betting markets/not qualified. Afterall, we want to assemble the best possible field don't we ? We had the ludicrous situation last year where we had 3 international horses, Moyenne Corniche, Saptapadi & Lost In The Moment gain a start ahead of a better performed Australian horse, Moudre. Which horse should have been in first ? In its career to date (before the 2011 Cup) Moyenne Corniche had won 2/25 with NO Grp class or Listed wins. Saptapadi had won 1/13 which was a maiden (can you believe it ?) & Lost In The Moment had won 4/17 with NO Grp or Listed wins whereas Moudre had won 6/16 incl a Listed win and also had a Grp3 4th, 2x Grp3 placings & a Grp2 4th at it's 4 lead up runs. History went on to show which horse should have been in and the betting markets showed which horse should have been in. Moudre ran a narrow 2nd in the Grp3 Geelong Cup to the eventual Melbourne Cup winner Americain & a close 4th in the Grp3 Lexus Qlty to Maluckyday who then ran 2nd in the Cup. After not gaining a start in the Cup Moudre came out 4 days after the Cup and won a Grp3 race !
johnny nevin is a legend
Guest
I think in order for this to happen the Australian Authorities would have to relax their quarantine rules which effectively puts a horse out of action for 6 weeks prior to racing. A horse could be aimed at the Cox Plate alright (the Irish Champion Stakes could be a last run before quarantine) but other WFA races probably arrive a bit early. However these rules are probably in place for a valid reason.
Justin Cinque
Expert
Hey jack, thanks for the comment. I think you're right - we have to expect a 150-year institution like the Melb Cup to evolve over time. And I agree, it is good to see good horses running from overseas - it bodes well for Australian racing. But I can't wait for the day when there's 20 plus overseas horses nominating for the Cox Plate and our other WFA races because that would truly to be something - to have the world's best middle-distance horses compete in Australia. Hopefully an international Melb Cup is a stepping stone to that.
jack hardaker
Guest
Justin. Time changes everything, including the Melbourne Cup. Yes it was great to see the occasional battler get up, and it will still happen. However the scent of $6million carries a long way and you can't blame owners and trainers from other countries from wanting a piece of the pie. You may be correct in saying that the qualifing standards for our horses are a bit harsh but if they aren't good enough then bad luck. To the once a year punter it doesn't matter who runs, it's a great social occasion. To the true racing enthusiast it's good to see the best horses competing, and if the internationals are better than ours then so be it. We built the cup up as the best race (handicap) in the world, now we are attracting the best. I don't think that the soul is gone, it will always be there, it's been enhanced by the us verses them if anything. Still, I did like the article and the follow up comments. Thanks.
Bondy.
Guest
Star stable is open today.
Tristan Rayner
Editor
Feedback always appreciated Roarers. Will, Justin had to push his case and chip away for nearly a year, but has taken his chance with aplomb! Cheers - Tristan (Roar Ed.)
nan
Guest
Onside- Great idea love the thought of a horse competing in multiple cups like old Reckless
nan
Guest
Great debate guys and Justin you do know how to get every one talking. I look back on past winners of Melbourne cups and rarely do i see a winner that was not a multiple race winner in other quality races. You have exceptions like Brew and Van der hum but for my mind lots of them have won Caulfield cups - cox plates Mckinnon stakes- toorak handicaps - doncaster and epsoms all the big races on the Australian racing calendar. Another question would any of the internationals ever attempt what Phar lap did in his cup winning year.
onside
Guest
It's a pity the Sandown Cup never reached expectations A BIG FOUR. The Stayers Quaddie. I know it cant happen because a horse is too long in training So its;The Beer Coaster Quaddie Melbourne 3200m Adelaide 3200m Sydney 3200m Perth 3200m Prize if win the slam, $12.8 Million (that's $1000 per metre) Brisbane and Sandown not included because 2400m
sheek
Guest
Yeah Justin, I was thinking a max of 8 internationals (definition - bred, owned & trained), one-third the field. The remainder local horses (kiwis being local). This might also be why we should encourage the internationals to target other good races that we have - the Caulfield Cup, Cox Plate, etc. Heck, there's about 6 weekends of racing, plus midweeks like the Geelong Cup, plus the 4 day Melbourne Cup carnival, to feast upon!