With the running of the Melbourne Cup 2013 tomorrow we take a look at each of the runners in the field and give our full expert analysis of their chances. The Melbourne Cup Field consists of 24 runners this year and it has been said to be one of the most open betting markets ever which means punters will need to do more research than previous years. View our Melbourne Cup 2013 tips and field analyses.
Dunaden
Won the Cup in 2011 edging out Red Cadeaux at the line. Went on to become the first horse to win the Hong Kong Vase after the Cup, then the 2012 Caulfield Cup. Attempted the 2012 Melbourne Cup also however was unsuccessful coming in 10th. Come in under the radar this year as other big name players hog the limelight however his form is still looking like a potential and will be one to keep an eye on.
Green Moon
Last year’s Cup winner, has raced consistently this campaign without any success. Still shows signs of greatness but feels outclassed.Will be wearing blinkers in the Cup in an attempt to improve on recent efforts. He has won two Group 1’s at Flemington and three in total. Drawn to get the right run, and can figure again.
Red Cadeaux
2011 Melbourne Cup runner up by the narrowest of margins. This will be his third attempt at the Cup. In 2012 won the Hong Kong Vase, leaving Dunaden and Dandino in his wake. He’s had a busy year, finishing second in the Dubai World Cup and third in the Tenno Sho in Japan in spring.His last three starts saw him carrying over 60kgs and with only 56.5kg being allocated, should fly.Barrier 23 will not help his third attempt at the Cup.
Sea Moon
Prior to arriving in Australia, this British galloper built an imposing record of five wins and three places from 10 starts in the UK, France and the USA.In his relatively short career, the six-year-old has won a Listed race, a pair of Group 2 races, and placed twice at Group 1 level.In September in the Makybe Diva Stakes, he was heavily backed into second favourite behind Puissance De Lune, but slipped after the barriers opened, losing about five lengths, before chasing the field down into 12th, only 5.1 lengths behind the winner, Foreteller.Sea Moon also suffered a setback having his win in The Bart Cummings reversed on protest to Araldo. He atoned for the luckless protest result in his last start to claim the Herbet Power impressively over the 2400m at Caulfield.
Brown Panther
Owned by Michael Owen, former English striker, he’s had a cracking season winning the Pontefract Castle Stakes and the Goodwood Cup at two miles putting to bed any doubts about his stamina.In pre-work, he blitzed work partner Caravan Rolls On in a gallop that had all taking a second look and putting him down as a serious contender for the Melbourne Cup.
A solid barrier draw of gate 6 will help his race.
Fiorente
Fiorente arrived in Australia a year ago, he immediately made his presence felt. Under Gai Waterhouse he ran second in the 2012 Melbourne Cup to Green Moon at his first Australian start.In the Autumn over a shortened preparation, he sprinted home to place in the All Aged Stakes and won the Group II Dato Tan Chin Nam over 1600m at Moonee Valley. In the Turnbull Stakes he hit the line strongly just missing out on a place, in the Cox Plate had a hard run while the winner had all the favour.
Forteller
Won the G1 Makybe Diva Stakes four starts back, beating Puissance De Lune by a nose.Earlier this year, he caused an upset by winning the Peter Young Stakes at Caulfield before his maiden Group 1 win in the Ranvet Stakes. He stepped up to 2400m for The BMW missing out in fifth to Fiveandahalfstar. He ended that campaign with a runner-up place to stable-mate Beaten Up in the Doomben Cup.
Dandino
Dandino recently made his Australian debut, narrowly being edged out in the Caulfield Cup by Fawkner.Boasting an impressive career, the seven-year-old has accumulated over $1 million prize-money and raced in the UK, Germany, Canada, Hong Kong and Japan. Dandino has been first past the post seven times in 24 career starts and contested at Group 1 level on six occasions. This season he has finished runner-up in the Group II Jockey Club Stakes (2400m) at Newmarket and the Group II Hardwicke Stakes (2400m) at Ascot.
Ethiopia
Only one win so far, but a good one, last year’s Australian Derby. He ran last in the G1 Underwood and was beaten by 9.7 lengths in the Caulfield Cup to come in 13th. Obviously has some potential to get in the Cup however up against some talent.
Fawkner
Fawkner had an impressive Caulfield Cup victory, looking the winner from the top of the straight. Fawkner also placed in the Turnbull Stakes and despite being allocating a 1.5kg penalty, come Melbourne Cup race day is looking to figure again.
If successful, Fawkner would be the 12th Caulfield Cup winner to go on and claim the Melbourne Cup in the same year.
Mourayan
After a 19-week spell, has had two races back, one of those finish 3.6 lengths in seventh position behind Foreteller and Puissance De Lune (1600m).He did win the G1 Sydney Cup in the autumn. However the Melbourne Cup traditionally has more depth and even with blinkers removed, might not have enough for this race.
Seville
Former German galloper embarking on his third campaign down under.After two standard runs when fresh, Seville came out and ran a slashing second to 2012 Melbourne Cup winner Green Moon in the Turnbull Stakes. He won this year’s G1 The Metropolitan and looks like won’t be bothered by 3200 metres. He has the staying power to make the others work for it.
Super Cool
The Australian Cup winner has some good wins behind him although overall might be outclassed.Won the Moonee Valley Vase as a three year old, beating It’s A Dundeel, before finishing second to Fiveandahalfstar in the Victoria Derby.Was put out to spell immediately after the Australian Cup with the Cox Plate on the agenda. Came in a disappointing fifth, three and three quarters behind. He is racing as though a longer trip will suit however he has only past 2000m once before.
Masked Marvel
On paper he could look bad, he finished last in the Makybe Diva Stakes and second last in the Cox Plate, beaten a long way. Having said that, the Cox Plate was his third straight run at 2000m and was never likely to suitHe has some real potential evident with third in the Hill Stakes and a second in the Craven Plate (2000m).
Mount Athos
This is Mount Athos second attempt at the Cup coming in a luckless 5th last year after a controversial ride. Internationally, Mount Athos is coming off a three win spree bringing his total to seven from 20. While he has not won a race in Australia, he seems to have the turn of foot required for Flemington. His latest victory came at only his second run at Group level and it is little wonder that he has been installed as one of the favourites in recent Melbourne Cup markets.
Royal Empire
At his last two starts, he’s finished second over 2400m, both times to fellow Godolphin runners. His most recent start, a month ago, he came in second by 2 ½ lengths to Secret Number in the G3 Cumberland Lodge (2414m).He looks to have a bit of upside, is incredibly consistent, and looks to have a turn of foot. He is lightly raced and still on the improve however, he hasn’t ventured past 2400m
Voleuse De Coeurs
Voleuse De Coeurs is a consistent Irish mare that won five out 13 starts and didn’t finish further back than fifth in her first 11.Voleuse De Coeurs was purchased for $1.7 million by Eliza Park International after she decimated the Irish St Leger in September. She is currently being trained by Michael Moroney after formerly being in the care of legendary Irish trainer Dermot Weld (trained Cup winners Vintage Crop in 1993 and Media Puzzle in 2002). Voleuse De Coeurs boasts an impressive record that includes victories over Royal Diamond, Ernest Hemingway and other Cup hopeful, Red Cadeaux.Jockey Chris Hayes rode Voleuse De Coeurs to victory in the Irish St Leger, however Kiwi jockey James McDonald will take the seat for the Melbourne Cup.
Hawkspur
This Chris Waller galloper has emerged a real contender, starting to win races as he came up in distance. With Jim Cassidy on board, Hawkspur continued to improve, winning six for an impressive clean-sweep of the Queensland winter features, claiming two Group 3 wins on his way to collecting the Queensland Derby. Hawkspur and Cassidy combined for a brilliant second-up win this campaign in the G2 weight-for-age Chelmsford Stakes (1600m) at Randwick, where the son of Purrealist showed a tremendous turn of foot when running away to win by over 3 lengths.Unlucky in the Caulfield Cup where Hawkspur was tipped as favourite, a poor barrier draw combined with him being caught up in traffic left him in fifth place however he hit the line very well.
Simenon
A solid performer overseas had plenty of interest in his Australian debut in the G2 Herbert Power (2400m) three weeks ago. In a race that was dominated by the leading pair closed well when third and was beaten less than a length to Sea Moon.
Ibicenco
A German import who has mixed success since arriving. He injured himself and had to spend the winter recovering in Brisbane. He surprised first up by winning the Heatherlie Handicap, then made a good attempt to come in eighth in the Naturalism Stakes. After a terrible run The Metropolitan, he made amends to win the Geelong Cup. He’ll easily ran the distance, but will he run it in style, only time will tell.
Verema
A four-year-old mare owned by His Highness the Aga Khan. She’s only been racing for two-years and hasn’t competed in a race less than 2200 metres in distance. Her first win was at her second start at Longchamp in June last year, she backed up in September outstaying the colts in the G3 Prix de Letuce (3000m) at Longchamp, when she ran on strongly from last.Her first season finished with a fourth behind Les Beaufs on a heavy track in the G1 Prix Royal-Oak (3100m) at Longchamp on October 28.With French horses winning two out of three past Cups, Verema will be given a lot of respect.
Dear Demi
Starting at odds of 100 to 1, flamboyant owner John Singleton has placed large bets to bring odds right in. And not un-justifiably. She’s in her best form this spring, despite not winning. Came a close third behind It’s A Dundeel and Atlantic Jewel in the Underwood, third in the Caulfield Cup and should have won the Mackinnon.With Chris Munce on board she’s bound to worth a look.
Tres Blue
One of Gai Waterhouse’s hopes in the Cup, he stepped up to 2400m for the first time this year to win a Listed race at Lyon before finishing third in a Group 3 to the impressive Flintshire.He finished second in the German Derby after hitting the front, before a comfortable victory in the Prix de Reux over OTI Racing’s Montclair.With Gai at the helm you have to consider him although might need to wait until next year to see him win.
Ruscello
Saturday’s win in the G3 Lexus Stakes (2500m) secured his place in this year’s Cup. Only his second run in Australia In his first run here he was narrowly beaten by Backbone in a 2000m restricted race on Thousand Guineas day where Backbone carried 2kg more. Hasn’t been over two miles previously but the Lexus win was strong and hit the line well. If no luck this year will be back and one to keep looking out for.
