With our top-six rated runners in the 2006 Melbourne Cup we had:
The Quinella, The Trifeacta $1100, and the First-4 (paid almost $10,000)...
Here is what we said about the great race:
12 - POP ROCK - Best run in the Caulfield Cup to my eye when 3 wide with trail to the 700m when sent 4-wide, then peeled wider coming to the turn losing ground off leaders/inside runners. He started to motor at the line despite not being able to be ridden-out by Damien Oliver which is just a great sign! Whilst all this was happening the winner/ runner-up got freak inside runs. Unlike Eye Popper last year he DID NOT have a gut-busting run in the Caulfield Cup, unlike Eye Popper last year he has NOT had a set-back into the Melb Cup and unlike Eye Popper he IS PROVEN backing up with a few weeks and running well. Doesnt get the handicap into this but is unproven at the 3200m (looks like he'll get it on Caul Cup run!) and work since Caulfield has been outstanding. Oliver rides!
13 - ZIPPING - One of the excellent Caulfield Cup runs when a mile back, came very, very wide on a day you couldnt and rattled home. His last 200m was as strong as anything in the race and wasnt beaten far. Went to Moonee Valley and did what he had to do and the blinkers go on him today. By Danehill and just needs to run a strong 3200m to be right in the finish. Most importantly, he has the class to win and top hoop on board.
4 - TAWQUEET - Terrific win in Metrop. which was proven an excellent form reference. Won the Caulfield Cup despite a check and shouldered into the clear like the big bull he is. This IS the sort of horse that wins Melbourne Cups and stable openly said a month ago The Melbourne Cup is his aim, anything else is a bonus. Two group 1's is a nice bonus but he will definitely run 3200m. That's the edge he has on the above three... Yes he had good runs to win both Gp1's and yes relative weights are against but winning form into a Melbourne Cup is what you want!
5 - GEORDIELAND - The only hope any international horse has is if they settle into Australia, their class (remember Media Puzzle was just a b-grader over there) is irrelevant (to an extent). The word is this guy has thrived! He's eating everything, working the place down and has form around world-class galloper Yeats whom he meets 3kg better. Gets good run from 10 with World's best jockey on board... (he is over-due to win this!?!?). Goes in everything for mine.
2 - DELTA BLUES - Outstanding in Caulfield Cup. 3-wide, no cover until the 1400m (when got on the back of Grand Zulu), peeled 4-wide 600m and came into the race before really attacking the line. International jockey takes over (Ahhh!) but he has ridden a multitude of winners. Has not worked flash since but didnt work flash prior so disregard that. Some, like footballers, are just game-day performers. Big chance.
23 - MAYBE BETTER - All runs this prep either very good, or luckless. Great win in the Saab coming from off the pace on a day it was very difficult to do so and ran faster time than the Derby winner. Drops to 50kg into this and has scope to keep improving. There is no way this trainer (the equal of any in this country, probably the world, in my humble opinion) will let him run if he is not 100%. Love the way he has hit the line his last two wins. Live chance
ALSO:
On Cup Day we had these winners:
* Royal Assscher
* Southern Courage ($18)
* Storm Signal ($12)
* Typhoon Zed ($28 - How did it pay that ???)
* Polar Bear (Bet Of The Day !)
Our subsribers were, umm, quite happy !!!
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www.ozracingform.com- David Gately