Races

Warren Huntly’s Melbourne Cup Day Preview

Posted on | Posted by Warren Huntly

Race 1

PRICE TAG closed off well down the straight on debut and should be better for the experience. SHINING SMILE beat Price Tag home in that race and gets winkers for his second start. WINMAR (winkers on) and BACASH had both jumped out nicely down the straight prior to their solid debuts at Caulfield. PRESTAR has jumped out well for his debut.

Selections: 10,1,2,3

Suggested Bet: Price Tag each way

Race 2

STATUARIO found trouble near the finishing post behind Treasurethe Moment last start and that form looks strong after Saturday’s Wakeful. PLYMOUTH started favourite in that race. He closed off well after getting a long way back and may find a more forward position. HAMMETT has jumped out ok at Flemington following his maiden win in NSW and looks suited stepping up in distance. OPENING ADDRESS was solid in the Vase at Moonee Valley and prepared to forgive the Derby runners out of that race when assessing the strength of that form.

Selections: 3,8,4,2

Suggested Bet: Statuario each way

Same Race Multi: Statuario (Top 2) + Plymouth (Top 4)

Race 3

Typically competitive greys race. MATHLETIC has been jumping out particularly well to resume. RIOT AND ROSE may be better suited at 1600m but can will strip fitter third up and appreciate firm going. STORMFRONT is showing promise and gets blinkers. CHATTAHOOCHEE brings some solid NZ form and has jumped out well at Cranbourne. CLOUDLAND is fit and consistent but seems short odds in early markets.

Selections: 3,6,9,2

Suggested Bet: Mathletic each way

Race 4

VERSAILLE impressed winning on debut and has jumped out in great style to resume. MONOLO BLING has been kept fresh and is another to jump out well leading into this. ALDOLFITO defeated Manolo Bling two starts back and didn’t handle the wet track last start. GRUZAMBA looked good winning on debut after some good jumpout work. WINNASEDGE was luckless last start but coming back to 1000m is some query.

Selections: 18,13,3,11

Suggested Bet: Versaille each way

Race 5

The KINESIOLOGY is the key runner. His international form reads well and he was supported as soon as markets opened. WHISKY ON THE HILL was luckless in the Bendigo Cup after recording two strong victories in slightly easier company. MR WATERVILLE ran second in this race last year and worked home well in an on-race race first up. CANBERRA LEGEND and ROARING ENGINE come through a race behind Whisky On The Hill and have claims.

Selections: 3,7,4,9

Suggested Bet: Kinesiology to win

Race 6

APULIA was luckless behind a fit, in-form galloper first up and looks well suited stepping up to 1800m on a spacious track. MIDNIGHT BLUE dominated the Seymour Cup first up and will make his own luck again. EARL OF TYRONE chased Midnight Blue at Seymour and will appreciate the extra distance. ARRAN BAY should be at peak fitness now and gets winkers first time.

Selections: 8,3,6,5

Suggested Bet: Apulia to win

Race 7

Fascinating Cup. BUCKAROO has returned in outstanding form as a gelding and brings the strongest local form. He looked unlucky in the Caulfield Cup and tested Via Sistina at his previous run. He’ll need luck from the draw but his form lines are too good to overlook. VAUBAN looks in better shape than last year and the Kyprios WFA form is as strong as it gets. ZARDOZI has raced herself back into form. She had a nice blowout on Saturday and is better suited at Flemington than in the Caulfield Cup. ONESMOOTHOPERATOR and SEA KING have both won strong Country Cups since finishing alongside each other in the Ebor. OKITA SOUSHI has found his best form and can make his own luck.

Selections: 2,1,14,13

Suggested Bet: Buckaroo each way

Race 8

Good clash between a few progressive gallopers. STAGE ‘N’ SCREEN looked good winning on debut over 1200m and is bred to appreciate the rise in distance. BIG SWINGER has plenty of upside, he’s still a bit of a raw talent but gives the impression he’ll relish 1400m on a big track. CHEWING GUM flashed late at Caulfield. She gets back to 1400m with winkers on and the form through her attempt at this trip two starts back looks strong now. SUPERCILIOUS hit the line strongly behind a promising filly last start and is another that looks suited stepping up to 1400m.

Selections: 13,7,8,4

Suggested Bet: Stage ‘n’ Screen each way

Race 9

AVIATRESS may have had the pattern in her favour last start, but she maps for a good run and 1400m should be no issue. MISS ARIA is racing well in similar mares races and also maps well. RUNNING BY can bounce back on firm ground and gets a tongue tie. FORTUNATE KISS has been competitive this grade without luck and is sure for a change of fortune.

Selections: 5,9,11,10

Suggested Bet: Aviatress to win

Race 10

BEL AIR was ok through the line after being restrained at the start second up. With blinkers back on from a good draw he’s capable of dramatic improvement. RHEINBERG is a noted first up performer and has jumped out in great style. WARNIE has jumped out well since his local debut victory and his overseas form indicated he’s better suited at 1400m. IS IT ME hit the line well first up and will appreciate stepping up in distance. SNOW PATROL has jumped out well to resume and brings a strong first up record. THE SHAPER has a case also maps well.

Selections: 13,3,12,14

Suggested Bet: Bel Air each way

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