Melbourne Cup 2012

Melbourne Cup 2012

Race One

14.Thump – 1.Villa Verde – 8.New York Rain – 5.Endless Summer

Race Two

10.Champagne Ruby – 3.Tai Tai Tess – 8.Mabsam – 9.Spin The Bottle

Race Three

11.Practiced – 1.I’m Jake – 15.Garud – 12.Tanah Lot

Race Four

7.Detours – 1.Mid Summer Music – 3.Gai’s Choice – 16.Sheila's Star

Race Five

2.Malasun – 4.Sistine Demon – 5.Kolonga – 1.The Travelling Man

Race Six

12.Benenden – 3.Angelic Light – 5.Balaclava Lady – 8.Walk With Attitude

Race Seven – Melbourne Cup

15.Maluckyday – 17.My Quest For Peace – 10.Ethiopia – 4.Red Cadeaux

The biggest Australian race of the year is upon us, and it's time for me to make my friends either very happy, or very angry. It's a typically tough Melbourne Cup from a punting perspective, with most of us unexposed to the international form surrounding the likes of Mount Athos and Galileo's Choice. For this reason (as well as a few others) I've left them out of my top 4, but you definitely have to play around with them in multiples. Maluckyday has had a campaign that the Hawkes camp could only dream of. After running an unlucky 2nd behind Tanby at Flemington two starts back (I still maintain that he didn't win to avoid a cups penalty), Maluckyday ran the quickest last 600m in the Geelong Cup and signified he was back to his 2010 form. (In case you didn't know, Maluckyday ran 2nd in the Melbourne Cup in that year). With the light weight and a perfect barrier, he will certainly be right in the finish. My Quest For Peace ran a solid Caulfield Cup 5th after hitting the lead early on in the straight and seemingly running out of puff in the last 50 metres. It looked at the time like a perfect tune up for the Cup and the step up to the two miles will certainly suit him. Ethiopia was terrific in the Cox Plate, setting a hot tempo and holding on to run 4th. Pat Carey has always had a huge opinion of the lightly raced stayer, and expect him to really appreciate the rise in distance. Last years runner-up Red Cadeaux looks primed to atone for last years loss, and is a must for all quinellas and trifectas. Expect big runs from Zabeelionaire and Calvaryman, they might just be the best of the blowout chances.

Race Eight

12.Tribal Rock – 1.Lightinthenite – 4.Extra Zero – 13.Menados

Race Nine

10.Liveandletdie – 20.Adamantium – 23.Unpretentious – 1.Green Birdie

Race Ten

12.Assertive Eagle – 6.Cornell – 2.Aeronautical – 16.Just Discreet