Ciaron Maher, David Eustace and Mark Zahra post winning in 2022
MELBOURNE CUP DAY
The First Tuesday in November is when they run the Melbourne Cup and it is quintessential Australia. Being a handicap, it provides opportunity for the small players in racing to compete on the biggest stage against the huge commercial operations for the massive prize money - AU$8.4m in fact.
The internationalisation of the race on the track really came into focus in 1993 when the Irishman Dermot Weld hatched a long term plan with his grand stayer VINTAGE CROP. Ever since then there have been further winners not just obviously locally but from New Zealand, Ireland, Japan, France, Germany and England. It can be as hard to get into the race as it is to win it. There are only ever 24 spots available and now post-Covid restrictions, many more will take their chance to come from around the world.
VAUBAN is well fancied for the Melbourne Cup this year.
Coming strong from VAUBAN
Overseas horses have performed well recently, with four winners in last ten years. Irish trainer Joseph O’Brien has won twice by TWILIGHT PAYMENT and REKINDLING.
In the Melbourne Cup this year, VAUBAN could be one of the favourites over the overseas horses. The 5YO gelding was originally trained in France. Then, he got a brilliant result after changing to Willie Mullins, with 5 winners out of 10 races, including a victory in the Copper Horse Handicap by seven and a half lengths at Royal Ascot in June this year.
In fact, the prominent National Hunt trainer Willie Mullins came close in 2017 Melbourne Cup with MAX DYNAMITE, the same connections have long circled this big prize at Flemington since this 5YO thrashed a stout field in the Copper Horse Handicap.
VAUBAN is well fancied for the Melbourne Cup this year.
The Melbourne Cup defending champions GOLD TRIP has good form in the current season.
GOLD TRIP is back for defence
GOLD TRIP had a spectacular journey through last year’s campaign, whose great results in the Caulfield Cup (2nd) and Cox Plate (9th) set up him up beautifully to prevail at Flemington with ease.
Following a similar route heading into this year’s Melbourne Cup, together with is tremendous form as of late – scoring yet again in the Turnbull Stakes in early October, and then a laudable third-place effort in the Caulfield Cup – this defending champion surely has another big run in his tank.
Chris Waller will hope to witness first hand his second Melbourne Cup win
Jockeys & Trainers
For years, riding legends Bobbie Lewis and Harry White shared the record number of Melbourne Cup victories at 4 apiece. Following Glen Boss’ who have won with legendary MAKYBE DIVA in three consecutive years, recent retirement, two current journeymen could join them. Kerrin McEvoy and Damien Oliver have huge Melbourne Cup experience, whereas both are sitting on three wins, and Damien will fight with the very last chance this year.
On the other hand, Chris Waller won his first Melbourne Cup in 2021 with VERRY ELLEEGANT. However, due to COVID restrictions then in place, which essentially forced that year’s running behind closed doors, he was unable attend in person for his prized mare’s score at Flemington. The main hope for the stable this year will be SOULCOMBE. The 4YO son by FRANKEL is in good form this season, running third behind GOLD TRIP and WEST WIND BLOWS in the G1 Turnbull Stakes and little doubt will the champion trainer be missing the 2023 edition.
Chris Waller will hope to witness first hand his second Melbourne Cup win
