31 international horses have nominated for this year’s Melbourne Cup and for the first time since 2010 there will be Japanese horses competing in the field.
With 31 entries, there is an increase on last year’s 28. While the total nominations has decreased just over half the amount that nominated in 2010, it comes down to the fact that trainers have become realistic about their runners goals in recent times.
While the Queen’s horse Estimate has headlined the 2014 nominations, you only have to look back to 2006 where Japanese-trained duo Delta Blues and Pop Rock quinelled the 2006 edition of the Melbourne Cup.
It’s just the second time that Japanese horses will hit Australia’s richest race since the outbreak of equine influenza in Australia in 2007, and this pair in Admire Rakti and Bande will more than be a challenge for the best stayers this spring.
Click here to see the full list of nominations for the 2014 Melbourne Cup
Admire Rakti will be a competitor and has been consistent in Group 1 races since 2012, he will have the help of Australian jockey Zac Purton who is booked to ride the stayer in both the Caulfield Cup and the Melbourne Cup.
Bande could be the boom Melbourne Cup runner in my opinion, he has only had the one start at Group 1 level but has similar form lines to 2006 winner Delta Blues. Bande made a strong showing in his debut Group 1 race with a third placing in the Japan St Ledger (3000m) in October last year.
He also showed strong potential when third behind Gold Ship and Admire Rakti in the Group 2 Hansh Daishoten (3000m) earlier this year. We’ll get our first glimpses of the pair when they enter quarantine later this week.
We already know the quality of Estimate who was the Queen’s 2013 Ascot Gold Cup winner and is shaping as Europe’s best chance to take the cup away. He looks set to be stripped of his Gold Cup winning status at a disciplinary hearing scheduled for September 25, where British racing authorities will submit that the positive test were because of a contaminated feed.
It’s already shaping up as the widest Melbourne Cup in recent memory especially when you consider that the Melbourne Cup favourite The Offer won the Sydney Cup earlier this year, and no horse since Makybe Diva won her second Melbourne Cup has won both the Sydney Cup and Melbourne Cup in the same year.
There will again be familiar faces in the race this year with previous winner Green Moon again nominated and it’s worth noting that the horse hasn’t won a race since that famous victory back in November 2012.
It could be third time lucky for Red Cadeaux who following two-runner ups will attempt to win his first Melbourne Cup. Legendary trainer Bart Cummings only hope will be the revitalised old boy in Precedence who missed out on last year’s cup. I’m pretty certain that Cummings won’t add to his 12 Melbourne Cups this year.
One I’m really keen on is Lonsdale Cup winner Pale Mimosa who is trained by dual Melbourne Cup winner Dermot Weld. Pale Mimosa looks a hot chance for the cup and has won three of her first six starts in Great Britain and Ireland. It’s also worth noting that in that Lonsdale Cup win she overcame the Queen’s horse Estimate.
Germany is also likely to have their first entrant since 2001 with German Derby winner Lucky Speed also nominating. Australian’s group of runners are unlikely to go quietly with 117 nominations overall.
As previously mentioned one of them is Cup favourite The Offer while La Amistad who is a three-quarter sister to three time Melbourne Cup winner Makybe Diva is also a big hope for us Aussies.
It’s hard to pick a winner out this early in the Cup and many will have learned their lesson last year with plenty of money coming for Puissance De Lune before the horse succumbed to injury in the Cox Plate.
My advice would be to not be too hasty and wait until the weights for each horse are released on Tuesday, September 16 then you can start to look at history of weights and things like that.
All I can say is I’m excited! The spring is well and truly here.
Brent Ford
Roar Guru
I don't think so because many people from outside suddenly have an interest in something they wouldn't for 364 days a year. I don't mind it because I'm sharing something I love with everyone else who doesn't have a clue every time I work a cup day. It's funny to see the look on people's faces when they win for the first time, but the core punters don't like it because it gets way to busy.
Bondy
Guest
The races are very exciting for race committees and the fashionistas but do the core punters like the modern Clfd and Mlb Cups ? ....
Brent Ford
Roar Guru
Three quarter sister to Makybe Diva is always going to help, have to wait and see how she goes.
Brent Ford
Roar Guru
Yeah as mentioned in the article Delta Blues and Pop Rock quinelled the race in 2006, nothing to say these two horses aren't of the same quality especially considering how wide the cup is this year. Going to be plenty of good value around.
Brent Ford
Roar Guru
I don't mind Cavalryman but you gotta remember that was the Melbourne Cup where the backmarkers didn't even get close. Anyone who backed an Irish first four would've had enough to live off comfortably for a while!
Harry
Guest
I'm not big on it, what about Cavalryman? Failed last time out with Frankie Dettori onboard.
Harry
Guest
I think La Amistad is the one that could do some real damage if the bloodlines are anything to go by.
Harry
Guest
He will the Japanese always go well in the Cup.
Todd
Guest
Love that horse.
Todd
Guest
I've heard from inner racing circles this Bande is going to go alright.
Brent Ford
Roar Guru
Yeah it looks a really good type in my eyes, it's really hard to pick a winner this far out unless they are a real standout especially with weights and barrier draws and all those factors still to come. But Mutual Regard looks up there for sure.
Mike from Tari
Guest
I'm going to keep an eye on Johnny Murtagh's horse that won the Ebor, Mutual Regard.