9 year old bay gelding (6-5-2013) Sire: Teofilo (IRE) Dam: Dream On Buddy (IRE)
Trainer: Joseph O'Brien (Co. Kilkenny (IRE)) Jockey: Jye McNeil 58kg Barrier:2
Record: 36:9-11-8 Prizemoney:$5,682,805 1st Up: 9:0-5-1 2nd Up: 8:1-1-4
Rick says...
Was enormous last year when winning the Cup from the front.
Is in just as good as form this time, however he will be forced to carry an extra 2.5kgs up to 58kgs.
It is unlikely we’ll see a 9 year old carrying top weight winning, however I won’t write him off.
5 year old bay gelding (22-10-2016) Sire: Shamus Award Dam: Miss Argyle (Iglesia)
Trainer: Peter G Moody (Pakenham OC) Jockey: Brett Prebble 57kg Barrier:16
Record: 12:9-0-0 Prizemoney:$4,643,300 1st Up: 3:1-0-0 2nd Up: 2:1-0-0
Rick says...
Star stayer, who has measured up to each challenge he has been presented with.
He couldn’t have been more impressive in the Caulfield Cup, making it a true staying test in the soft conditions.
Although he is carrying a big weight, this former Toowoomba trained runner appears bullet proof.
I believe he will space them to win comfortably.
6 year old bay horse (6-4-2016) Sire: Noble Mission (GB) Dam: Limonar (IRE) (Street Cry (IRE)
Trainer: Andrew Balding (Kingsclere (GB)) Jockey: Craig Williams 57kg Barrier:14
Record: 18:6-4-3 Prizemoney:$2,092,657 1st Up: 7:0-4-1 2nd Up: 4:2-0-0
Rick says...
The spruik around this import is based around his close second to Stradivarius.
He had every chance to go past the champion stayer, who wasn’t quite as good as his form 12 months earlier.
History suggests 57kgs first up isn’t the right profile for a UK based galloper.
Distance suits and is in my top 4 based on his overall staying ability.
6 year old brown mare (12-10-2015) Sire: Zed (NZ) Dam: Opulence (NZ) (Danroad)
Trainer: Chris Waller (Flemington) Jockey: James McDonald 57kg Barrier:19
Record: 33:14-7-3 Prizemoney:$9,690,744 1st Up: 7:1-3-1 2nd Up: 7:4-1-0
Rick says...
Nine-time Group 1 winner who was pretty good in the Cox Plate last start, which is as good a lead up race as you can get.
Up 1.5kgs in weight from last year’s Melbourne Cup. She was back near the rear and was one of the fastest closers, though she was entitle to given she had little work to do.
Expect her to give a big sight once again.
4 year old bay horse (9-11-2017) Sire: Jakkalberry (IRE) Dam: Extra Explosive (NZ) (Ekraar (USA) Trainer: Ciaron Maher & David Eustace (Caulfield) Jockey: John Allen 54kg Barrier:4
Record: 12:5-1-2 Prizemoney:$1,814,730 1st Up: 2:1-0-0 2nd Up: 2:0-0-0 Rick says...
Rick says...
Triple Derby winner who ran a solid fifth in the Turnbull stakes.
Jack’s run in the Caulfield Cup (17th) was too bad to be true, so I am prepared to forgive that effort.
He’s got an inform jockey in John Allen and the Maher/Eustace stable is flying at the moment.
They’re racing for the top 10.
6 year old bay horse (30-9-2015) Sire: Savabeel Dam: The Glitzy One (Flying Spur)
Trainer: Murray Baker & Andrew Forsman (Cambridge (NZ)) Jockey: Damian Lane 54kg Barrier:5
Record: 35:6-5-3 Prizemoney:$1,899,409 1st Up: 7:2-2-2 2nd Up: 7:1-1-0
Rick says...
Another who didn’t fire a shot in the Caulfield Cup.
He ran a career best, in last year’s Melbourne Cup, finishing fourth with 53.5kgs.
He has only 54kgs this year and could be one for the exotics again as he was ticking along OK before last start’s failure.
Watch Michael Gannon and Dean Watling's early bets for Melbourne Cup week!
5 year old bay horse (31-1-2017) Sire: Galileo (IRE) Dam: Bye Bye Birdie (IRE) (Oasis Dream (GB)
Trainer: Anthony & Sam Freedman (Mornington) Jockey: Damien Oliver 53.5kg Barrier:3
Record: 10:5-1-0 Prizemoney:$360,841 1st Up: 4:1-0-0 2nd Up: 2:1-1-0
Rick says...
Won the Group 2 Herbert Power over 2400M, then did a bit of work to find the lead from the wide gate in the Caulfield Cup.
Didn’t finish off so if ridden with a sit on this occasion, I’m prepared to put him into the multiples at the long price.
6 year old chestnut gelding (5-10-2015) Sire: Ocean Park (NZ) Dam: Cool Storm (NZ)
Trainer: Chris Waller (Flemington) Jockey: Damien Thornton 53.5kg Barrier:13
Record: 25:7-1-1 Prizemoney:$547,720 1st Up: 5:0-1-0 2nd Up: 5:3-0-0
Rick says...
Auckland Cup winner over this distance though hasn’t really troubled the scorers over here.
Can’t see him getting near these.
6 year old bay gelding (5-5-2016) Sire: Champs Elysees (GB) Dam: Air Kiss (GB)
Trainer: Chris Waller (Flemington) Jockey: Ron Stewart 53.5kg Barrier:24
Record: 20:3-5-2 Prizemoney:$1,481,470 1st Up: 4:0-2-0 2nd Up: 4:0-1-0
Rick says...
Sydney Cup winner over this trip, who’s best run this prep was fourth in the Bart Cummings over 2520M.
He will stay the distance, though won’t have the necessary acceleration to put him in the finish.
4 year old bay gelding (9-11-2017) Sire: Tavistock (NZ) Dam: Luminova (NZ)
Trainer: Denis Pagan (Flemington) Jockey: Lachlan King 53kg (a) Barrier:22
Record: 11:1-1-2 Prizemoney:$1,268,675 1st Up: 2:0-0-0 2nd Up: 2:0-0-1
Rick says...
Was a Cinderella story last Spring carnival, winning the Victoria Derby for former AFL dual premiership coach Denis Pagan.
He’s receiving publicity for the wrong reasons this year, with Glen Boss stating Johnny shouldn’t be in the field because of his sub-standard performances.
I’ve felt all along he was being trained for one race only this prep, and that’s The Cup.
Expect a much better run this time.
7 year old bay or brown gelding (5-5-2015) Sire: So You Think (NZ) Dam: Lamanka Lass (USA)
Trainer: Gai Waterhouse & Adrian Bott (Flemington) Jockey: Daniel Stackhouse 53kg Barrier:9
Record: 21:7-0-2 Prizemoney:$473,501 1st Up: 5:0-0-0 2nd Up: 5:2-0-0
Rick says...
Led all the way to win this year’s Brisbane Cup and should pilot the field again here.
Disappointing in the Geelong Cup and Hotham Handicap at his last couple, so I can’t have him.
5 year old brown gelding (22-9-2016) Sire: Pierro Dam: Ofcourseican (Mossman)
Trainer: Ciaron Maher & David Eustace (Caulfield) Jockey: Luke Currie 53kg Barrier:11
Record: 27:7-5-3 Prizemoney:$1,404,721 1st Up: 5:1-0-2 2nd Up: 5:1-1-0
Rick says...
Is a consistent performer at any level and was only 2.45 lengths fifth, in last years Melbourne Cup, where he carried 51kgs.
Goes up 2kgsthis year but is a top four hope.
6 year old brown gelding (13-9-2015) Sire: So You Think (NZ) Dam: Norzita (NZ)
Trainer: Peter & Paul Snowden (Flemington) Jockey: Blaike McDougall 52.5kg Barrier: 8
Record: 37:3-8-1 Prizemoney: $730,285 1st Up: 7:0-0-0 2nd Up: 7:1-0-1
Rick says...
Performs better over these longer trips though hasn’t got what’s required to be competitive here.
7 year old bay gelding (13-4-2015) Sire: Maxios (GB) Dam: Magma (GER)
Trainer: Michael, Wayne & John Hawkes (Flemington) Jockey: Fred Kersley 52.5kg Barrier:6
Record: 28:5-5-4 Prizemoney:$900,309 1st Up: 8:2-2-1 2nd Up: 8:1-1-1
Rick says...
Had big wraps on him last year, though hasn’t reached the heights that were expected of him.
Is a distance query for mine.
6 year old bay gelding (8-2-2016) Sire: Sea The Moon (GER) Dam: Diablerette (GB)
Trainer: Robert Hickmont (Mount Macedon) Jockey: Rachel King 52.5kg Barrier:1
Record: 19:3-7-1 Prizemoney:$336,109 1st Up: 5:0-2-0 2nd Up: 5:2-2-0
Rick says..
Hasn’t produced a win in Australia in 4 attempts.
From the Lloyd Williams Mount Macedon stable who know what it takes to win a cup.
Not this year.
6 year old bay gelding (1-3-2016) Sire: Champs Elysees (GB) Dam: Zacchera (GB)
Trainer: Ciaron Maher & David Eustace (Caulfield) Jockey: Kerrin McEvoy 52kg Barrier:21
Record: 19:8-4-2 Prizemoney:$1,009,800 1st Up: 3:0-1-1 2nd Up: 3:0-1-1
Rick says..
This bloke doesn’t put a foot wrong!
His jockey Kerrin McEvoy has won three Melbourne Cups.
He ran second in the Andrew Ramsden here over 2800M carrying 58.5 kgs and gets in here with 52 kilos.
If there was to be an upset, he could be the one.
5 year old bay mare (7-11-2016) Sire: Reliable Man (GB) Dam: Arapaho Miss
Trainer: Danny O'Brien (Flemington) Jockey: Patrick Moloney 52kg Barrier:17
Record: 26:5-0-5 Prizemoney:$1,672,200 1st Up: 6:1-0-1 2nd Up: 5:1-0-0
Rick says..
Has placed a couple of times over the staying trips though is not going well enough.
5 year old bay gelding (29-3-2017) Sire: Le Havre (IRE) Dam: Keira (FR)
Trainer: Ben & JD Hayes (Flemington) Jockey: Harry Coffey 52kg Barrier:23
Record: 10:4-0-0 Prizemoney:$308,688 1st Up: 3:2-0-0 2nd Up: 3:1-0-0
Rick says..
Won the Group 2 Prix Hocquart over 2500M last year.
Not going well enough.
6 year old bay mare (5-10-2015) Sire: Dundeel (NZ) Dam: Ana’s Mail
Trainer: Bjorn Baker (Warwick Farm) Jockey: Craig Newitt 52kg Barrier:20
Record: 25:6-6-5 Prizemoney:$1,101,075 1st Up: 5:0-2-2 2nd Up: 5:0-2-1 Rick says..
Rick says..
Finished off OK in the Caulfield Cup.
Unsure about the 3200M.
5 year old bay gelding (29-3-2017) Sire: Le Havre (IRE) Dam: Keira (FR)
Trainer: Ben & JD Hayes (Flemington) Jockey: Harry Coffey 52kg Barrier:23
Record: 10:4-0-0 Prizemoney:$308,688 1st Up: 3:2-0-0 2nd Up: 3:1-0-0
Rick says..
The listed Cranbourne Cup is his biggest success here so he won’t be troubling this field.
5 year old bay mare (13-10-2016) Sire: Tavistock (NZ) Dam: Star of Tralee
Trainer: Symon Wilde (Warrnambool) Jockey: Dean Holland 51kg Barrier:12
Record: 15:6-4-2 Prizemoney:$744,725 1st Up: 3:1-0-1 2nd Up: 3:1-1-1 Rick says..
Rick says..
Loved the way she attacked the line in the Geelong Cup.
She has Zabeel in her bloodlines which suggests she will get the trip even though her Adelaide Cup run was below par.
I things she can push for the exacta position and run the race of a lifetime.
6 year old bay or brown gelding (29-2-2016) Sire: Nathaniel (IRE) Dam: Miss Kenton (IRE)
Trainer: Ciaron Maher & David Eustace (Caulfield) Jockey: Teodore Nugent 50kg (a) Barrier:10
Record: 16:5-2-1 Prizemoney:$479,018 1st Up: 6:2-0-0 2nd Up: 5:1-1-0
Rick says..
He ran a bottler in the Moonee Valley Cup, a race that has produced Melbourne Cup winners.
He is one I took in early doubles, so I will be silently cheering.
Definite lightweight hope.
5 year old bay gelding (28-12-2016) Sire: Galileo (IRE) Dam: Anja (IRE)
Trainer: Chris Waller (Flemington) Jockey: Michael Dee 50kg Barrier:7
Record: 15:5-2-3 Prizemoney:$694,290 1st Up: 3:1-1-1 2nd Up: 3:2-0-1
Rick says..
Won the Hotham Handicap on Saturday however it was an inferior edition this year.
Top 10 chance given the low weight.
4 year old bay horse (24-2-2018) Sire: Camelot (GB) Dam: Sparrow (IRE)
Trainer: Gai Waterhouse & Adrian Bott (Flemington) Jockey: Glen Boss 50kg Barrier:18
Record: 8:2-1-0 Prizemoney:$152,926 1st Up: 4:0-1-0 2nd Up: 3:2-0-0
Rick says..
Northern Hemisphere youngster who is with the Waterhouse/ Bott stable.
An unknown at this level so may be one to throw into your exotics.
History says
Horses need to be able to stay the journey and have a turn of foot over the final 300 metres. Those who have won at their last start have a great winning record in the Cup
Lightweights have an advantage over the 3200M.
Speed
Knights Order should take up the running with Twilight Payment and Delphi tucking in behind him.
Grand Promenade will come across from the outside draw and try to find some cover.
Best roughie: Grand Promenade