CAN’T get to Flemington for the Melbourne Cup? Can’t even get to a TV set? If you’re unfortunate enough to be at work on this great day, look no further than FOXSPORTS.com.au.
scott.heinrich@foxsports.com.au
The Parade Ring: A warm welcome to all and sundry on this most majestic of sporting days, the Melbourne Cup. I’ll be keeping you posted on all things Cup throughout the day, until well after the last race, slumped over my chair wondering where it all went wrong. Prior to race descriptions and results, you’ll get ample opportunity to laugh at the Fox Sports Fiver – five sheets each-way on a nag in each of the 10 races. Better yet, your involvement is very much requested - email me your racing musings at using the address above. They might even get published.
The Mounting Yard: Why is the Australian public so obsessed with the Melbourne Cup? I tried explaining this phenomenon to an American pal once. "It’s brilliant. The whole nation stops and watches 24 horses run around a track left-handed for 3200m. It’s a full-blown institution and I friggin’ love it!," I said. He looked at me much like someone might look at his or her own vomit. You’ve got to either be Australian or have lived in Australia to fully appreciate the Melbourne Cup. A friend of a friend once told my dad who told a friend who told me that more Aussies will throw sickies today than on any other day of the year. I was off sick yesterday. Seriously. Timing of a two-bob watch.
1255: "Hey mate, just wondering as i have not seen or heard a race yet, is there any track bias happening?" asks Tess Steckle. The track is in fine condition and, according to most jockeys who have been interviewed, riding very fairly. It has just now been upgraded to a Good 3. I’ll add that on-pace runners seem to be faring quite well. Hope that helps, Tess.
1250: Greg Childs has been stood down for the rest of the day after the carnage that took place in race three. His Cup mount, Railings, is now without a jockey, giving him a 55.5kg pull in the weights. He remains only a rough place hope.
1245: Dave Felton from Perth offers thus: "Last year I had the good, yet bad luck of picking the first 5 horses across the line in my 5 horse boxed trifecta. The tri dividend was good but the quartet was even better which i didnt have. This year I have boxed 7, 9, 11, 13 and 23 and yes I have had a first four bet. Good luck to all punters." Here, here.
RACE 4 RESULT:
1. Juste Momente (W$5 P$2 – SuperTab)
2. Zip Baby Zip (P$6.80)
3. Goldfield Ashes (P$3.80)
You ruddy beauty! Hugh Bowman settles the grey mare one horse off the paint and three horses back before overcoming traffic problems in the straight and a duel with Zip Baby Zip to win by over a head. Connections win 65 large, the Fox Sports Fiver wins 35 sheets. Balance: -$5, and on a one-race roll.
1230: Ready to go for the fourth race. The Fox Sports Fiver likes Juste Momente. Eskaw to run favourite, Laura’s Charm also well-backed.
1225: Kynan Johnston pops in: "Best Moment: Picking Subzero to win the 92 Cup when I was 10 because it was the same name as my favourite Mortal Kombat character. I had $10 each way courtesy of my Dad and this started my love of racing (read gambling). Worst Moment: Putting 5 boxed for the trifecta in 2005 and whilst having Xcellent and On a Jeune didn’t put in the favourite Makybe Diva and missed out on a $7,500 payout. Tip: Eskimo Queen for a good each-way bet." I’d like to take this opportunity that we here at Fox Sports do not encourage underage gambling.
1220: RIP Bay Story. He died in the line of duty and was a good performer in England and Australia. Mark Zahra has been ruled unfit to ride Scenic Shot in the Cup, handing Craig Williams the ride. Greg Childs has been given until 1300 EDT to prove his fitness.
1215: Chelsea in Pyrmont: "Hey Scott, just wanted to say I’m loving your Cup blog. It’s very depressing sitting at work when this time last year I was on my (probably) fifth champagne on the lawn at Flemington!" I feel vicariously depressed for you, Chelsea.
1210: Melissa George, dressed in Luis Vitton, is on C7. Johanna Griggs introduced her as a "bona-fide film and television star". Nothing against the lass, but I can’t be having that. Watched The Illusionist last night, starring the outstanding Ed Norton and Justin Trousersnake’s squeeze, Jessica Biel. The TAB has performed a few disappearing acts with my moolah today.
1205: Jason Lawson in Fortitude Valley, Queensland offers this: "Best memory: When I was 7 years old my mum entered me into a Cup Sweep for the first time, and that year Gold And Black duly saluted and I won $500. Worst: Having Dulcify in a later Cup Sweep and watching with sadness as the horse broke down mid race and had to be destroyed. My lucky longshots: On A Jeune (guaranteed to run the trip, and second behind Makybe Diva when she won her first Cup. Probably should have won if not for D.Gauci’s poor riding). Blue Monday (doing best work late in finishing 4th in Caulfield Cup)." Thanks, Jason.
RACE 3 RESULT:
1. Red Lord (W$14.90, P$4.20 – SuperTab)
2. Dirt Music (P$14.50) Deat Heat
2. Completion (P$1.50) Dead Heat
A fine staying performance from easy-to-back Red Lord under Nash Rawiller, with the pair taking it up 300 metres from home and running away, but the race is marred by the shocking fall of Bay Story. Brian Ellison’s charge was contesting second place at the furlong pole before his hind legs gave way underneath, bringing down Bling Bling and Greg Childs in the process. Mark Zahra, Bay Story’s jockey, has injured his ankle and been placed in the ambulance. He is due to ride Scenic Shot in the big one but that is in jeopardy. Nor does it loook good for Bay Story. Bling Bling is fine and Childs has hurt his neck but should be fine to ride Railings in the Cup. Vicello fourth, meaning the Fox Sports Fiver balance is -$30.
1142: They’re heading to the barriers for the third race, the Lavazza Long Black over 2800m. Completion, for Graeme Rogerson, is the strong favourite. The Fox Sports Fiver is pretty keen on Vicello at each-way odds. If he gets done I’ll be $30 down and dining on the beaten-favourite baguette tonight.
1140: The best-backed horse in the Cup this morning is Purple Moon, the English stayer who ran sixth in the Caulfield Cup. The ground has come right for the horse and he is crunching to odds that could see him start favourite at the jump.
1130: What are your best and worst Melbourne Cup memories? My best is backing Jardine’s Lookout for a place a few years back and it paying $17 the drum. My worst is telling my then girlfriend, who fancied Brew in 2000, that under no circumstances could the horse win the race and that she should not back it. She’s no longer my girlfriend. She’s now my wife. Go figure. FYI, her tip today is Zipping.
1115: Kurt again. He says I’d "better join him on the drink". Sure, if you’re buying. Matt from Bathurst emails in with this: "I’ve got Douro Valley in one sweep and Zipping in another. What are your thoughts on these horses? And your predictions for them?" I think you’ve done very well, Matt. Douro Valley is a chance if he stays the trip and Zipping is an even better chance if his jockey can negate barrier 22.
RACE 2 RESULT:
1. Illinois Girl (W$7.10, P$2.40 – SuperTab)
2. Tremezzo (P$2.40)
3. Senorita De Lago (P$7.20)
Mike Moroney and Kerrin McEvoy combine with Illinois Girl, a last-start Warrnambool winner, to revive memories of Brew’s Melbourne Cup win in 2000. McEvoy had the chestnut mare traveling well from barrier three before hitting the front and holding off the charge of the backmarkers. Secret Daughter loomed up at the distance but laboured under 58kg to finish just behind the placegetters. Fox Sports Fiver balance: -$20.
1058: Richard Arnott writes: "Forget the horses, how are the Fillies shaping up?" Richard, I assume your question is a direct reference to race number two, the Ritzenhoff Handicap over 1700m for four-year-old mares and upwards. They are looking quite decent. The Fox Sports Fiver’s selection is Secret Daughter. Manna Miss is the favourite.
1050: Kurt in Ipswich is $20 down after the first. Don’t feel bad, Kurt. Had you bought a $20 bottle of wine and downed it in a little over a minute you’d be in the same situation. There’s nine races to redeem yourself.
1035: Gerri in the USA and Paul somewhere in NSW are lementing the fact they can’t get to a telly and want to know if they can watch the Cup on FOXSPORTS.com.au. Sorry boys, the rights don’t allow us. However, we’ll have the result and race report for you quicker than you can say ‘Who’s won?’ as well as video highlights of at least the last 200 metres soon after the race.
RACE 1 RESULT:
1. Hips Don’t Lie (W$3.00, P$1.40 – SuperTab)
2. Marveen (P$2.40)
3. Emma Princess (P$4)
Shakira, Shakira! Under Craig Williams, the David Hayes runner crosses over from barrier two as the entire field races along the stands rail, racing three and four horses off the fence and proving too strong in the run to the line. That’s two from two for Hips Don’t Lie, a Stravinsky filly. Hayes says he will now put her away for a tilt at the Blue Diamond. Viennese is under pressure a long way from home and finishes midfield. Segolene finishes fourth, leaving the Fox Sports Fiver $10 down.
1019: Fox Sports Fiver tip: Segolene. Viennese, a first-starter for Lee Freedman, is an expensive full sister to Snitzel and is favourite, with Hips Don’t Lie also strongly favoured. Another Hayes runner, Georgian Belle, is proving difficult to load.
1015: It’s a nice day in Melbourne, believe it or not. Upwards of 30mm or rain over the past couple fo days has left the track a Dead 4, which will mean very little to very many. Basically, there’s a little bit of juice in the ground. The runners are heading to the barriers for race one, a 1000m sprint for two-year-olds. I miss the Cup day hurdle. Seeing a dozen or so slow horses stumble over the sticks was a perfect pipe-opener for the day ahead. Perhaps officials figured erecting a tent around the horse who fell at the last and firing a gun wasn’t the best PR exercise.
0955: The old boy Gallic is already out of the Cup, and now it’s confirmed that The Fuzz is out also. The latter’s foot is about to burst "in the next couple of hours". Yuck. We’re now down to 22, which should make it easier to find the winner. However, it won’t. My tips are Princess Coup to win, Sarrera to run 12th and Lazer Sharp to run last.
Source: Live: Melbourne Cup
