Possible headlines following the 2017 Melbourne Cup
THERE’S no way of predicting what will happen in Tuesday’s Melbourne Cup, but there are some possible headlines which could make front page news.
Over the course of Melbourne Cup history, there are always multiple storylines to take away from the first Tuesday in November. Last season it was the reaction from the connections of Heartbreak City, which was pipped on the line by Almandin, but they didn’t seem to care.
In 2015 it was the win of despised outsider Prince of Penzance, which gave jockey Michelle Payne the title of first female rider to win the Melbourne Cup.
What will 2017 hold for the 23 runners and what will be making the headlines come Wednesday morning?
Almandin to equal Makybe Diva’s record?
It’s very possible that Almandin is going to win its second consecutive Melbourne Cup on Tuesday, which could make for an interesting 2018 edition.
The Robert Hickmott-trained stayer might be an eight-year-old this year, but he’s had only 15 career starts and you’d have to think that number would reach only around 20 come next year’s Melbourne Cup.
The German-bred son of Monsun has the right credentials to push for a record-equalling third successive Melbourne Cup, but do punters believe there will be a rare repeat winner?
Almandin has drifted from $7 to $8.50 at Neds over the last few days as the money comes for the internationals, but we’re picking it to win and we wouldn’t be surprised to see Almandin installed as the 2018 favourite if he runs in the first three this year.
Hartnell silences critics at Flemington
We’ll be the first to say that Hartnell won’t be winning the 2017 Melbourne Cup, but what an incredible storyline it would make.
Godolphin were desperate to get a runner in this year’s field and Hartnell was their top choice, but it’s going to need all its champion qualities to recover from the Caulfield Stakes.
Hartnell didn’t appear to be travelling all too well, but it was severely checked at the 200m and it only battled late behind Gailo Chop. The entire season to date has been a disappointment, considering what he showed last season.
Placings behind Humidor in the Makybe Diva and Bonneval in the Underwood were franked as good form races, but it didn’t show that usual turn-of-foot which was good enough to push Winx on the odd occasion.
His run for third in the Melbourne Cup last year was impressive, but punters have seen the light and don’t want a bar of it this time around. He’s $26 with CrownBet.com.au to score what would be a great story.
The return to form would be incredible feat and one of the most unlikely scenarios this year.
Wicklow Brave defies age to win the Cup
There had been talk about Who Shot Thebarman becoming the oldest winner of the Melbourne Cup, but due to its scratching on Sunday, the talk now moves to Wicklow Brave.
The Willie Mullins-trained nine-year-old is seeking to become the only horse older than eight to win the Melbourne Cup and it would make for a great story.
A son of Beat Hollow, Wicklow Brave has shown its best form over the jumping circuits, but some encouraging form in Ireland this season could see the fairy tale result come true for connections.
He wasn’t too far behind Order of St George in both the St Leger Trial and the Irish St Leger, and that form is always great for the Melbourne Cup. His run in the Caulfield Cup wasn’t flash, but it’s looking for more distance and gets it here.
Trainer Willie Mullins is a great horse racing character and despite having better chances in the field this year, Mullins would love nothing more than to see Wicklow Brave at the head of the field on Tuesday.
Cismontane does it again
Ahhh Cismontane, you’ve done it again.
There have been only two winners since Think Big won the Lexus Stakes/Melbourne Cup double in 1974 – Brew in 2000 and Shocking in 2009, but Cismontane could add its name to that list.
The Waterhouse/Bott-trained five-year-old is a long shot ($51 at Sportsbet) to win the Melbourne Cup, but that was a gritty victory last Saturday and the fitness is well and truly under its belt.
The concern is that the son of High Chaparral faced harder opposition in the JRA Trophy where he ran 12.45 lengths behind Almandin, but he has improved in three runs since and Gai Waterhouse loves a surprise result.
Carrying 50kg is going to help its chances and it would also make for a great story for apprentice jockey Beau Mertens, who has been trusted with the ride.
This can be a race for the dour types and Cismontane fits the bill.