The lead-up to the Melbourne Cup continues to pick up pace with the first ballot exemption race at Flemington as 12 horses battle it out for an all-but-guaranteed slot into the race that stops a nation. Join The Roar for live coverage of The Bart Cummings from 4:20pm (AEST).
None of the horses in the field are likely to get entry to the Melbourne Cup any other way, so a win today is crucial if they want a ticket to the biggest and richest race on the calendar.
This race produced a winner of the Melbourne Cup just two years ago when Almandin took victory, then went on to win the big one a month later.
Fittingly, the favourite this year is the James Cummings-trained Avilius. Since arriving from Great Britain for a tilt at the Spring Carnival, he has won three straight races in Sydney, putting together an excellent run during the last start at the Kingston Town Stakes.
Only one start in a race more than 2000 metres leaves questions though, as does the weight rising to 58.5kilograms.
Avilius is an incredibly short price at $2.25 though, with the Darren Weir-trained Yogi and Liam Howley’s Harrison and Our Venice Beach the other likely favourites ahead of this one.
Yogi had a reasonably poor outing in his last race at Morphettville but was better before that with a second-place at Moonee Valley.
Harrison is the horse who could cause the surprise here though, having finished in second place last week at Mornington across a distance of 2040 metres. That followed a three-week break and a fifth-place finish at Moonee Valley before that.
Our Venice Beach is always a determined stayer around this time of year though – but with only one decent result in recent times, coming in the form of a second-place at Mooney Valley, it will need a run well above expectations book a spot in the Cup.
Prediction
Avilius looks the goods to me. The short-priced favourite won’t be the one to back if you’re looking for some juicy odds, but it’s the safe bet. If he turns up with Sydney form, it’ll be the winner.
Avilius to beat Harrison and Our Venice Beach.
Be sure to join The Roar for live coverage of the Melbourne Cup ballot exemption race from 4:20pm (AEST) and don’t forget to add a comment in the section below.
Start time: 4:20pm (AEST)
Racecourse: Flemington
Distance: 2500 metres
TV: Live, Seven, Sky Racing
Full field
1. Avilius – Barrier 1
2. Our Venice Beach – Barrier 14
3. Vengeur Masque – Barrier 11
4. Zacada – Barrier 15
5. Megablast – Barrier 9
6. Rising Red – Scratched
7. Midterm – Scratched
8. Northwest Passage – Barrier 10
9. Jaameh – Barrier 7
10. Yogi – Barrier 6
11. Harrison – Barrier 13
12. Hush Writer – Barrier 4
13. Chequered Flag – Barrier 3
14. Mr Clarify – Barrier 12
15. Wheal Leisure – Barrier 2
Scott Pryde
Expert
Apparently, there may be a protest on that almost contact down the straight from Jaameh. I'll post here if anything comes of that later, but for now, let's take it as given that the James Cummings-trained Avilius is through to the Melbourne Cup. I'll be back tonight with the WWE - yes, the WWE - as it heads to the Melbourne Cricket Ground. Join us here on The Roar from 7pm. Bye for now.
Scott Pryde
Expert
James Cummings can now pick and choose the races he wants Avilius to run in between now and the Melbourne Cup, instead of having to try and fight up the order of entry. The beauty of having a guaranteed place in the Cup is just that - preparation is completely up to the trainer.
Scott Pryde
Expert
After a strong start, Harrison fell away to the back of the pack, finishing away from the field.
Scott Pryde
Expert
Yogi finished strongly out of the pack there to finish third, while Northwest Passage hed on for fourth.
Scott Pryde
Expert
Bit of a close run down the rail there. Avilius and Jaameh almost ran into each other, but Avilius is into the Melbourne Cup, and James Cummings has the win in the race named after Bart.
Scott Pryde
Expert
AVILIUS WINS THE 2018 BART CUMMINGS They are away and running here. Megablast to the front ahead of Northwest Passage and then the big money mover Harrison. As they come around the first turn it's Harrison who now goes to the lead and he takes a good three or four length lead. Northwest Passage sits second with Hush Writer and Megablast stretching out to third and fourth. With 1600 to go, it's Avilius the favourite well back in the pack but looking pretty comfortable for now. Harrison continues to lead past the 60-second mark of this race and he now has a good five or six lengths to Northwest Passage with Hush Writer third, then Chequered Flag has come into fourth. Avilius mid pack, but the interesting one is Our Venice Beach sitting a long, long way back in the pack. Harrison starting to slow along the rail with 800 to go and the pack closes up, so this till be a sprint to the line. Harrison overtaken with 500 to go and they run out wide. Avilius has got it ahead of Jaameh by a nose, with Yogi flashing home for third. Avilius is into the Melbourne Cup! What a run.
Scott Pryde
Expert
Away!
Scott Pryde
Expert
Horses loading. A start is imminent.
Scott Pryde
Expert
Harrison has come all the way into $7 as well. Lots of late money there.
Scott Pryde
Expert
Horses starting to leave the mounting yard and moving down towards the start barriers.
Scott Pryde
Expert
The favourite, Avilius, has gone out slightly to $2.45. Punters really liking Yogi who has come into $4.80.
Scott Pryde
Expert
Obviously worth keeping in mind that we have had three scratchings in the lead-up to this race, bringing the field back from 15 to 12.
Scott Pryde
Expert
FULL FIELD 1. Avilius - Barrier 1 2. Our Venice Beach - Barrier 14 3. Vengeur Masque - Barrier 11 4. Zacada - Barrier 15 5. Megablast - Barrier 9
6. Rising Red - Scratched 7. Midterm - Scratched8. Northwest Passage - Barrier 10 9. Jaameh - Barrier 7 10. Yogi - Barrier 6 11. Harrison - Barrier 13 12. Hush Writer - Barrier 4 13. Chequered Flag - Barrier 314. Mr Clarify - Scratched15. Wheal Leisure - Barrier 2Scott Pryde
Expert
About ten minutes from a start here. Horses in the mounting yard.
Scott Pryde
Expert
As always, feel free to add a comment
Scott Pryde
Expert
Afternoon again all, It's time for The Bart Cummings, which will offer the first ballot exemption spot into this year's Melbourne Cup. Huge race coming up.