The Melbourne Cup Carnival continues on Tuesday with the ten-race card headlined of course by the showpiece event of Australian racing, the Melbourne Cup (3200m).
I’ll have a quick look at the nine races before providing an in depth look at some of the key runners for the Emirates Melbourne Cup.
Race One: Ottawa Stakes 1000m
Leaning towards Madeenaty. Impressive debut win over the course, which is absolutely vital in terms of these early two year old races. From The Clouds trialled well at Cranbourne and has been nommed/accepted/scratched a couple of times. Drawn well. Carusmatic trialled behind From The Clouds and while pushed, she looks talented.
Madeenaty on top, over From The Clouds, Carusmatic and Invincible Star.
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Race Two: Tab.com.au Trophy 1700m
Keen on Tidy Prophet. Effort over 2040m at the Valley last start was full of merit and that should toughen her right up for this 1700m contest. Sort After was very good in defeat last time out at Randwick with the big weight.
Looks the sole leader and gets a dream run on speed. Model Dragon is unbeaten for Philip Stokes and showed a bit of class in winning first up at Cranbourne. She can measure up here for sure.
Going with Tidy Prophet, ahead of Sort After, Model Dragon and Metaphorical.
Race Three: Prince Of Penzance Plate (96) 2800m
Waddle your finger and hope for the best here I think. Landed with Murphys Delight given he has done well at his past two starts in Sydney and is a winner up to two miles. Morning Mix was very good in defeat last time out at Geelong. He lacks a turn of foot, but the 2800m will suit him perfectly. Danjeu ran behind Murphys Delight last start and he was first up. Upside and is another suited by the rise in trip.
Murphys Delight with no confidence, to beat Morning Mix, Danjeu and Pinstripe Lane.
Race Four: Lavazza Prontissimo (90) 1400m
Demonstrate looks one of the bets of the day. Arrogant win last time out on Geelong Cup Day and only has to repeat that performance to knock them off here. Lucky Liberty didn’t appear to handle the bog surface on Sale Cup yet his class got him home.
Firmer track will help his cause and he has upside. Sovereign Nation was luckless last time out at Caulfield and has class. Just needs normal luck here to be around the mark.
Keen on Demonstrate, over Lucky Liberty, Sovereign Nation and Magic Boy.
Race Five: Schweppes #FlemingtonFling 1000m
Been really impressed by what Ashlor has done in his short carer to date. He’ll run along in front in the right part of the track and gets the services of Dwayne Dunn. Dream First has been given a good break since contesting the Blue Diamond lead ups.
Jump outs have been sharp. Biased Witness had no luck at the Valley and looks to have come back in super order.
Ashlor at a price for me, over Dream First, Biased Witness and Manuel.
Race Six: Lexus Hybrid Plate 1400m
I think Spright will be a moral on Oaks Day, so I’m with Faraway Town here. Lovely return and second up last time, she placed at Group l level behind Yankee Rose. My Country is bursting to win a race and hasn’t had a great deal of luck this time in. Draws well here, hard fit and in form.
Hard to beat. Sylpheed was enormous in defeat on Caulfield Cup Day and I can see her bouncing back in a big way.
Faraway Town on top, to beat My Country, Sylpheed and Quick Feet.
Race Eight: James Boags Premium Stakes 1800m
Been impressed by Plot The Course since he trialled at the start of the prep and he got the win on the board on Blue Sapphire Day at Caulfield, getting clear air out wide and finishing hard. 1800m is no issue. Fabrizio appreciated a more conservative ride last time out at the Randwick mile and maps well here.
Observational is now with John Sadler and could be a shock at odds. Form prior was pretty good with Hickmott.
Going with Plot The Course, ahead of Fabrizio, Observational and Tashbeeh.
Race Nine: MSS Security Sprint 1200m
Secret Agenda can bounce back here. Didn’t handle racing wide no cover and the rock hard track behind Sheidel, who franked the form on Derby Day. Won down the straight on Oaks Day last year.
Sir Bacchus was very strong in winning on Manikato night and though untried down the straight, he has class. Flippant had no luck at Caulfield and can bounce back here.
Leaning towards Secret Agenda, to beat Sir Bacchus, Flippant and Almighty Girl.
Race Ten: THE HKJC Stakes 1400m
Best of the day here for me in Egyptian Symbol. Dominant/arrogant first up win at Randwick. Drawn wide, but I think she can get three wide cover and ambush. Keen. Shilelagh was stiff in the Tristarc when appearing to have plenty to offer.
She is right in the game. Vibrant Rouge didn’t have much luck on Geelong Cup Day and her run prior here behind French Emotion reads very well.
Certainty for me in Egyptian Symbol, ahead of Shilelagh, Vibrant Rouge and Just A Blur.
Don’t forget to check Twitter @AdamPage1991 for more tips right across the weekend.
Good luck and happy punting!
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