THE big race is almost upon us and this is the must read form, published by the HERALD-SUN, that will help you find the winner of the 2016 Melbourne Cup.
ORDER OF ENTRY
- JAMEKA (Ciaron Maher) 53.5kg (including 2.0kg penalty)
Myboycharlie-Mine Game
4yo bay mare
Starts: 19: 5-4-4
Prizemoney: $3,670,725
Biggest win: 2016 Group 1 Caulfield Cup (2400m)
Melbourne Cup odds: $5.50
Stormed to victory as favourite in the Caulfield Cup. Last spring she bolted in the Crown Oaks over 2500m at Flemington. The step up to 3200m should not be a worry and will be hard to beat. Ethereal was the last mare to win the Caulfield-Melbourne Cup double in 2001.
- ALMANDIN (Robert Hickmott) 51kg (including 1.0kg penalty)
Monsun-Anatola
7yo bay gelding
Starts: 11: 4-3-1
Prizemoney: $349,958
Biggest win: 2014 Group 2 Unterneher (2200m) at Baden Baden, Germany; 2016 Group 3 Bart Cummings (2500m)
Melbourne Cup odds: $11
Lloyd Williams bought the former German stayer with the Cup in mind. Looks to be timing run to perfection after scoring two strong wins, including an impressive triumph over 2500m in the Bart Cummings at Flemington. Right in the mix.
- BIG ORANGE (Michael Bell) 56kg
Duke Of Marmalade-Miss Brown To You
6yo bay gelding
Starts: 18: 7-2-1
Prizemoney: $1,495,511
Biggest win: 2015, ‘16 Group 2 Goodwood Cup (3219m) at Goodwood
Melbourne Cup odds: $15
Brave fifth in last year’s Melbourne Cup and has been sparingly raced since. Talented and tough on-pacer who beat Wicklow Brave in the Goodwood Cup. Jamie Spencer will again take the mount.
- OUR IVANHOWE (Lee & Anthony Freedman) 56kg
Soldier Hollow-Indigo Girl
7yo bay horse
Starts: 21: 6-2-1
Prizemoney: $1,467,973
Biggest win: 2015 Group 1 Doomben Cup (2000m)
Melbourne Cup odds: $26
Prepared by five-time Cup winner Lee Freedman. Finished 10th in last year’s Melbourne Cup and was working home well for sixth behind Jameka in the Caulfield Cup. In the right hands but has delicate hoofs.
- CURREN MIROTIC (Osamu Hirata) 55.5kg
Heart’s Cry-Star Mie
9yo chestnut gelding
Starts: 37: 6-6-6
Prizemoney: $4,005,361
Biggest win: 2013 Group 2 Kinko Sho (2000m) at Chukyo
Melbourne Cup odds: $21
Group 1 placed against high class opposition. Moody, but devastating on his day and, if he ran to his top, could easily contend. Needs to set history as the first nine-year-old to win the Cup.
- HARTNELL (John O’Shea) 55kg
Authorized-Debonnaire
6yo bay gelding
Starts: 27: 10-6-1
Prizemoney: $2,673,999
Biggest win: 2015 Group 1 The BMW (2400m)
Melbourne Cup odds: $4.20
Was no match for Winx in the Cox Plate but his form for the Cup looks spot on. Cruised to victory in the Turnbull Stakes at Flemington, leaving subsequent Caulfield Cup winner Jameka in his wake, before his second to Winx at Moonee Valley. Ran 15th in last year’s Cup, but he is going much, much better this year. Has won over 3200m and is the one to beat.
- WHO SHOT THEBARMAN (Chris Waller) 55kg
Yamanin Vital-Ears Carol
8yo bay gelding
Starts: 36: 9-6-2
Prizemoney: $2,235,446
Biggest win: 2014 Group 1 Auckland Cup (3200m), 2015 Group 2 Zipping Classic
Melbourne Cup odds: $26
Veteran stayer has produced some of his best runs over 3200m, including a third in the 2014 Melbourne Cup. Ran 11th in last year’s Cup and indicated he’s on track for the ‘Big One’ again with a second in the Moonee Valley Cup.
- WICKLOW BRAVE (Willie Mullins) 55kg
Beat Hollow-Mondaine
8yo bay gelding
Starts: 29: 9-3-5
Prizemoney: $897,408
Biggest win: 2016 Group 1 Irish St Leger (2816m)
Melbourne Cup odds: $16
Stunned Order Of St George in the Irish St Leger. Strong form line through Lonsdale Cup (4th). Trained by masterful Irishman, who produced Max Dynamite when second in Cup last year. Has settled in at Werribee well, supremely fit.
- BONDI BEACH (Aidan O’Brien) 55kg
Galileo-One Moment In Time
5yo bay horse
Starts: 10: 4-3-2
Prizemoney: $559,619
Biggest win: 2016 Group 3 Vintage Crop Stakes (2800m) at Navan.
Melbourne Cup odds: $11
Followed Melbourne Cup 16th to Prince Of Penzance with a decent spell before returning with a pair of black type wins in Ireland. Stronger and more mature this year.
- EXOSPHERIC (Lee and Anthony Freedman) 55kg
Beat Hollow-Bright And Clear
5yo bay horse
Starts: 11: 4-0-3
Prizemoney: $521,115
Biggest win: 2016 Group 2 Jockey Club Stakes (2414m) at Newmarket.
Melbourne Cup odds: $16
Ran on well for third in the Caulfield Cup at his Australian debut. Will be better for the experience and has three-time Cup winner Damien Oliver in the saddle. Has never raced beyond 2414m, but Lee Freedman knows what is required to win the Cup. Must be considered.
- TALLY (John O’Shea) 52.5kg
Street Cry-Itemise
4yo brown horse
Starts: 14: 5-3-2
Prizemoney: $565,610
Biggest win: 2016 Group 2 Alister Clark Stakes (2040m)
Melbourne Cup odds: $35
Placed in the Australian Derby in the autumn and was third to Hartnell and Jameka in the Turnbull Stakes. Drew wide, went forward then faded to run 12th in Caulfield Cup. Talented stayer but he’s not in the same league as stablemate Hartnell. Next year might be his time to shine.
- GRAND MARSHAL (Chris Waller) 53.5kg
Dansili-Marqarula
7yo brown gelding
Starts: 37: 8-6-5
Prizemoney: $2,028,792
Biggest win: 2015 Group 1 Sydney Cup (3200m)
Melbourne Cup odds: $26
Failed to fire in last year’s Cup. Returned to run third in the Sydney Cup in the autumn, then stepped up to 2500m and regained his winning touch in the Moonee Valley Cup. Will stay the trip.
- GALLANTE (Robert Hickmott) 53.5kg
Montjeu-Crazy Volume
6yo bay gelding
Starts: 16: 4-1-3
Prizemoney: $2,001,794
Biggest win: 2016 Group 1 Sydney Cup (3200m)
Melbourne Cup odds: $51
Another from the Lloyd Williams team. Scored a bold frontrunning win in the Sydney Cup in the autumn to put his name in mix for the Cup. Followed a good second in the Naturalism first-up with a disappointing seventh in the Moonee Valley Cup.
- ALMOONQITH (D & B Hayes and T Dabernig) 53.5kg
Dynaformer-Bohemian Lady
7yo bay horse
Starts: 31: 6-3-1
Prizemoney: $765,125
Biggest win: 2015 Group 3 Geelong Cup (2400m)
Melbourne Cup odds: $16
Won the Geelong Cup last year before poor run in the Melbourne Cup. Came out after the Cup and won the Listed Sandown Cup over 3200m. Autumn form was average then burst back into Cup calculations this year with a strong-finishing fourth in the Caulfield Cup.
- REAL LOVE (Darren Weir) 52kg
Desert King-Flaming Heart
6yo chestnut mare
Starts: 32: 10-6-6
Prizemoney: $1,421,910
Biggest win: 2015 Group 2 Perth Cup (2400m)
Melbourne Cup odds: $35
Has been a consistent performer since coming from the west to join Darren Weir’s stable. Won the JRA Cup in good style before running fifth in the Caulfield Cup. In her only start over 3200m, she ran third in the Adelaide Cup.
- SIR JOHN HAWKWOOD (John Thompson) 53kg
Sir Percy-Athene
8yo bay gelding
Starts: 29: 8-6-1
Prizemoney: $1,172,843
Biggest win: 2016 Group 1 The Metropolitan (2400m)
Melbourne Cup odds: $35
Has taken his game to another level this campaign. Kicked away at the top of the straight and kept going to win The Metropolitan at Randwick. Didn’t look comfortable in the Caulfield Cup, but has thrived since the run. Will be better suited at Flemington.
- HEARTBREAK CITY (Tony Martin) 53kg
Lando-Moscow Nights
7yo bay gelding
Starts: 22: 6-0-3
Prizemoney: $506,210
Biggest win: 2016 Ebor Handicap (2816m) at York
Melbourne Cup odds: $14
Sealed Australian trip with dominant York win. Intriguing entrant from stable renowned for landing massive betting plunges. Another visitor to thrive at Werribee. Has Joao Moreira for the Cup.
- BEAUTIFUL ROMANCE (Saeed bin Suroor) 51.5kg
New Approach-Mazuna
5yo bay mare
Starts: 10: 3-0-3
Prizemoney: $375,678
Biggest win: 2016 Group 2 Middleton Stakes (2000m) at York.
Melbourne Cup odds: $35
Group performed with a winning range from 1600m-2300m. Classy type from the Saeed bin Suroor’s stable.
- EXCESS KNOWLEDGE (Gai Waterhouse & Adrian Bott) 52.5kg
Monsun-Quenched
7yo brown horse
Starts: 25: 5-6-3
Prizemoney: $740,742
Biggest win: 2015 Group 3 Lexus Stakes (2500m)
Melbourne Cup odds: $51
Ran seventh in last year’s Cup after earning a start with victory in the Lexus Stakes. Form this campaign has been steadily building towards the Cup. Followed a third to Almandin in the Bart Cummings with a fourth in the Moonee Valley Cup.
- ASSIGN (Robert Hickmott) 51kg
Montjeu-Belesta
6yo bay/brown gelding
Starts: 14: 5-2-2
Prizemoney: $529,006
Biggest win: 2016 Group 2 Herbert Power Stakes (2400m)
Melbourne Cup odds: $51
Lloyd Williams runner earned a Cup start after winning the Herbert Power Stakes. Will be ridden by Katelyn Mallyon.
- SECRET NUMBER (Saeed bin Suroor) 51kg
Raven’s Pass-Mysterial
7yo bay gelding
Starts: 13: 5-2-2
Prizemoney: $565,908
Biggest win: 2013 Group 3 Cumberland Lodge Stakes (2414m) at Ascot
Melbourne Cup odds: $35
Missed Melbourne Cup start last season before finishing second to Dandino over 2500m at Flemington. Only one start since, winning at Listed level at Ayr.
- GREY LION (Matt Cumani) 51kg
Galileo-Grey Lilas
5yo grey horse
Starts: 11: 4-1-2
Prizemoney: $149,057
Biggest win: 2015 Prix de Laigneville (2000m) at Chantilly.
Melbourne Cup odds: $35
Strong second behind Qewy in the Geelong Cup and highly-promising young stayer on the rise. Should sneak into the field.
- QEWY (Chris Appleby) 50.5kg (including 0.5 penalty)
Street Cry-Princess Nada
7yo bay gelding
Starts: 22: 3-4-5
Prizemoney: $179,616
Biggest win: 2014 Listed Heritage Stakes (1609m) at Leopardstown
Melbourne Cup odds: $26
Tough, brave on-pacer who led all the way to win the Geelong Cup. If he is allowed to dictate terms at Flemington, he will be hard to run down.
- PENTATHLON (John Wheeler) 50.5kg
Pentire-Pinders Prize
5yo chestnut gelding
Starts: 24: 5-1-3
Prizemoney: $158,628
Best performance: 2nd 2016 Group 1 Wellington Cup (3200m)
Melbourne Cup odds: $51
Tough Kiwi stayer who has a win and a second in three tries over 3200m. Was working home nicely for third in the Moonee Valley Cup.
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- ROSE OF VIRGINIA (Lee & Shannon Hope) 50kg
Thorn Park-Centapin
7yo bay mare
Starts: 36: 6-4-3
Prizemoney: $251,548
Best performance: 2nd 2016 Group 1 Auckland Cup (3200m)
Melbourne Cup odds: $301
Ran second in the Auckland Cup over 3200m but form this campaign has been average.
- VENGEUR MASQUE (Michael Moroney) 50kg
Monsun-Venetian Beauty
5yo bay gelding
Starts: 10: 2-2-0
Prizemoney: $184,496
Best performance: 4th 2016 Group 1 Auckland Cup (3200m)
Melbourne Cup odds: $101
Former French stayer secured a start in the Caulfield Cup and wasn’t disgraced, finishing eighth. Trainer Michael Moroney won the 2000 Melbourne Cup with Brew so knows what it takes to win the race.
- OCEANOGRAPHER (Charlie Appleby) 50kg
Sea The Stars-Que Puntual
5yo bay gelding
Trainer: Charlie Appleby
Starts: 9: 3-1-0
Prizemoney: $63,627
Biggest win: 2016 100-rater (2112) at Doncaster
Melbourne Cup odds: $26
Followed seventh to Heartbreak City in competitive edition of the Ebor with a powerful finish for third in the Geelong Cup. Needs a miracle to get a run, but can’t be ruled out if he makes the field.
Not passed ballot
DE LITTLE ENGINE (Danny O’Brien) 50kg
THE BANDIT (John Sadler) 50kg
TOM MELBOURNE (Lee & Anthony Freedman) 50kg
*REPRODUCED COURTESY OF NEWS LIMITED*