Melbourne Cup favourite sweating on handicappers decision
THE hopes of current 2016 Melbourne Cup favourite Order of St George ($13 at Sportsbet) relies heavily on the decision made in two weeks time with Racing Victoria general manager, Greg Carpenter, stating it will be weighted near the top of the weights.
The Aidan O’Brien-trained stayer is one of seven O’Brien horses nominated for the Melbourne Cup, but he stated earlier in the year that it won’t be making the trip if it’s too highly weighted.
Racing Victoria international recruiter Leigh Jordan is hoping to have six to nine international runners for the Cup, but says more will be known soon after some key international results flow in.
The Doncaster Cup on September 9 and the Irish and French meetings on September 10 will be crucial according to Jordan.
“That will be the weekend when we’ll find out a bit more who might be coming,” Jordan said. “There’s a few in there but they just haven’t committed at this stage.
“I would be happy with six to nine internationals.”
Chief handicapper Greg Carpenter said that Order of St George will likely be weighted near the top along with the likes of 2014 winner Protectionist which has been in great form overseas for Andreas Wohler.
“The topweight when the weights come out have to have at least 58kg,” Carpenter said.
“So without giving away what will be top weight because Protectionist is back in great form, you have got Order of St George, you would think they would be the two horses that are going to be up towards the head of the weights come September 13.”
Among this year’s nominations include the first potential American runner with Da Big Hoss and also a Czech Republic nomination from the Pavel Tuma-trained Trip To Rhodos.
“The depth among the international contingent is once again exceptional with the Ascot Gold Cup winner Order of St George, Goodwood Cup winner Big Orange, Ebor winner Heartbreak City and Tenno Sho runner-up Curren Mirotic among 31 international entries,” Carpenter said.
“It is an exciting prospect for the Melbourne Cup to have its first United States-trained runner in the form of North America’s premier stayer Da Big Hoss, who has been nominated by trainer Michael Maker and connections.
“A new country represented in the nominations is the Czech Republic with the Pavel Tuma-trained Trip To Rhodos, a listed winner in Italy and a last-start placegetter in the Group 2 Prix Kergolay in France.”
VRC chief executive, Simon Love, said the strength of the 2016 Melbourne Cup nominations is representative of its attraction to a worldwide audience.
“The depth in the entries for the 2016 Emirates Melbourne Cup is testament to the continuing appeal of the race, both here and aboard,” Love said. “Coupled with the talented pool of local entrants, the international representation we see among the nominees will hopefully pave the way for a truly diverse contest on the first Tuesday in November.”