Almanac Racing: The Melbourne Cup Fast-Approaching

 

 

Less than 6 weeks remain until the official start of the 2016 Melbourne Cup Carnival at Flemington Racecourse in Melbourne, Australia. The horse betting tips are flowing as the list of nominations for this year’s Melbourne Cup has finally been released. The list includes the best of the best thoroughbreds from down under as well as from Japan, Europe and the U.S.

 

The Race

The Melbourne Cup is by far the most popular, historic and prominent race on the Australian horse racing industry’s racing schedule. Each year, some of the best horses in the world line up for an opportunity to take down the largest purse in the world for turf runners. This year’s race is scheduled to be run on November 1, 2016 at a distance of 3200 meters (2 miles)  for a total purse of  AUS$6,000,000. This race is for 3-year-olds or older with weights to be assigned based on handicap conditions.

 

The Field

As usual,  the field is expected to come from 124 nominations, down to 20 starters and 4 alternates selected on the basis of a complicated system of qualifying events and invitations. Based on this list, it would look as though Europe is coming into the race with a strong hand.

 

Order of St George: Over the past 12 months, this Aidan O’Brien trainee has won the two most prestigious staying races on the European continent. In fact, Order of St George has won or finished second in his last 9 races, including big wins in the Group 1 Irish St. Leger (Twice) and the Group 2 Ascot Gold Cup. With his incredible turn of foot at longer distances, he should absolutely love this Flemington Race Course.

 

Hartnell: Australia’s best hope for a Melbourne Cup winner might lie with this 5-year-old gelding. After two wins this month in Group 2 events at Randwick, this Godolphin home bred seems to be in the best form of his career.  There might be questions about his ability to get the distance, but his connections thought enough of his ability to run him in last year’s edition of this race.

 

Protectionist: After winning this race in 2014, Protectionist went badly off form throughout the 2015 season. After more than 9 months off, trainer Andreas Wohler brought the horse back to winning form in 2016 with big wins in the Group 2 Hansa-Preis and Group 1 Grosser Preis Bon Berlin, both in Germany. While reportedly nursing a soreness issue, he could be dangerous if he makes the trip over.

 

Prince of Penzance: While he has started off the 2016-17 season in poor form, Prince of Penzance still deserves the utmost  respect as the race’s defending champion. Historically, this race has been won multiple times on five other occasions, including three successive wins by the brilliant mare Makybe Diva from 2003 to 2005.

 

Da Big Hoss: It came as a big surprise when the connections of Da Big Hoss, America’s best stayer, nominated this horse and mentioned they were seriously considering passing on the Breeders Cup Turf for a chance to run down under. After an easy win in the 3200-meter Belmont Gold Cup Invitational Cup on Belmont Stakes day, it became clear that the further it runs, the more effective this horse becomes.

 

The best horse racing tips are the ones that lead to the big winners. While relying on horse racing tips is not really an effective handicapping method, the best horse racing tips could be useful in drawing attention to horses that might have disguised form. The keys to being a successful punter is keeping an open mind and taking advantage of all available handicapping tools and information.

About John Hawthorne

John Hawthorne has had a keen interest in horse racing starting at a young age. He currently writes for australianfreebets.com.au/

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