Sean's Opinion: Temora Independent Journalist - Cup fever sweeps the nation

International horses have dominated several Melbourne Cup races and this year could prove to be a similar scenario. On the 33rd anniversary of Dermot Weld-trained Vintage Crop’s historic success for Ireland as the first international horse to win the Cup, more Irish-trained runners will contest this year’s race. I’m always wary of the Irish and British imports that travel from the other side of the world with less-exposed form lines. They’re here to contest this iconic race – they’re not coming here just to make up the numbers. Japanese runner, Stinger Glass, trained by Yasuo Tomomichi, also remains part of the field for this year’s big race. It will be hoping to emulate the feats of the 2006 Melbourne Cup winner, Japanese runner Delta Blues. Although the Geelong Cup is a half-mile (800m) shorter race than the Melbourne Cup, it is also viewed as a good form guide. This year’s Geelong Cup winner, four-year-old Point Of Law, trained by Ciaron Maher and ridden by Ethan Brown, will carry the same weight as last year’s winner with just 53kgs. The Geelong Cup victory elevated Point Of Law’s status to become the Melbourne Cup’s favourite straight after the win. Another statistic in Point Of Law’s favour is that he was sired by the legendary Frankel, a horse that was undefeated in 14 races. However, only three horses have completed the Geelong Cup - Melbourne Cup double in the same year: Media Puzzle (2002), Americain (2010) and most recently Dunaden (2011). Maher also has Mister Monaco entered in the Melbourne Cup and it will have some followers after its third placing in Saturday’s Moonee Valley Cup, especially with a light weight of 52.5kgs. Irish trainer Joseph O’Brien’s runners, Small Fry and Omni Man finished second and third respectively in the Geelong Cup and Small Fry’s overseas form suggests it will improve over the Melbourne Cup’s longer distance if it gets a run. O’Brien is likely to have a handful of runners in this year’s big race and the previous longtime favourite Defiantly looks the best hope, along with his runner-up in the Melbourne Cup last year, Goodie Two Shoes and James J Braddock - the horse that finished third in the prestigious English Derby. The Melbourne Cup is always a tricky event to pick the winner and this year is no different, but don’t be put off by selecting a horse at big odds, as often they will rise to the occasion. However, remember the old adage, it’s better to bet on a $5 winner than a $100 loser. Here are my thoughts on this year’s race, not in any particular finishing order. Sneaking in with a light weight, Mister Monaco could be in the race for a long way. I’ve followed Saint George for a while and see no reason to jump off with the horse’s recent form. Enfjaar ran well in his Australian debut to finish third in the Caulfield Cup and could be suited by the longer trip and because Defiantly was the favourite for so long, it could be foolish to leave him (or any of Joseph O’Brien’s runners) out of the reckoning. If my selections stated here charge in (again), don’t automatically think I will be in the money, as it’s been my downfall many times that I change my mind on the morning of the Melbourne Cup as I assess the form more thoroughly closer to the time of the race. Good luck with your selections! Note: All information is correct at the time of publication.

Sean's Opinion: Temora Independent Journalist - Cup fever sweeps the nation

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