7/11/2000 edition

Melbourne Cup Edition

The Field

 Enzeli

No1
57kg
Barrier 6
Jockey-Greg Hall 
Jockey Rating 5 
Trainer-J Oxx
Last five starts-s2815
This distance-1 st.1 0 0

A lightly raced six year old with six wins from 13 starts. Is very well credentialed. In June last year he won the Group 1 Ascot Gold Cup at Weight for Age over 4023 metres. At his most recent start on October 1 he was only beaten by one and a half lengths over 4000 metres in  Group 1  Weight for Age at Longchamp, France. He will clearly have no problems with the distance. But he will need to have the speed as well.
The jockey is a big minus. Greg Hall has a very poor strike rate like currently a terrible 18% winning strike rate on favourites.   

 Far Cry

No2
57kg
Barrier 10
Jockey-Kevin Darley
Jockey Rating 9 
Trainer-M C Pipe
Last five starts-5s22s
This distance-6 sts.3 1 1

This talented six year old gelding is first up from a three months spell. But that should be no problem. On June 22 this year when he was first up from a similar spell he was only beaten a head in the Group 1 Ascot Gold Cup over 4023 metres. He has six wins over 3200 metres to 3600 metres. Classy English hoop     Kevin Darley is over for the ride. Must rate a top chance.  

Arctic Owl

No3
56.5kg
Barrier 21
Jockey-David Harrison
Jockey Rating 8 
Trainer-J R Fanshawe
Last five starts-s3711
This distance-4 sts.1 2 1

This seven year old gelding has top credentials for the race. He is coming off a win in the Group 1 Weight for Age Irish St. Leger over 2816 metres. He carried 61kg. and is used to carrying weights well in excess of  56.5kg. In 1993 Vintage Crop, the only overseas horse to win the Cup also won the Irish St. Leger. Despite the barrier draw a top show.  

 Diatribe

No4
55kg
Barrier 15
Jockey-Jim Cassidy
Jockey Rating 10 
Trainer-G M Hanlon
Last five starts-99312
This distance-0 sts.0 0 0

The Caulfield Cup winner finished strongly in the Cox Plate for second behind Sunline. He gives every indication that he will run out the 3200 metres. The barrier should present no problems. His veteran trainer knows what is needed for a Melbourne Cup winner and big race hoop Jim Cassidy is one of the best around. An outstanding chance in the race.      

 Freemason

No5
53kg
Barrier 2
Jockey-Larry Cassidy
Jockey Rating 8 
Trainer-John Hawkes
Last five starts-03944
This distance-0 sts.0 0 0

This four year old, a winner of the Group 1 Queensland Derby in June this year,  is primed for a big run. He has now had six runs since a spell and is at peak fitness. He finished an excellent fourth in the Caulfield Cup and at Flemington on Saturday on a track favouring leaders made up a lot of ground to finish fourth in the Mackinnon Stakes. One of the best chances for a local victory. 

Lightning Arrow 

No6
53kg
Barrier 14
Jockey-Frankie Dettori
Jockey Rating 10 
Trainer-Saeed Bin Suroor
Last five starts-41222
This distance-0 sts.0 0 0

This five year old overseas contender has not been in the headlines like some of the other horses from overseas however don't dismiss him. He may well be the best suited Cup runner. He is an overseas 2800 metres horse like Vintage Crop was. 3200 metres horses and more from England have had the stamina but often not the speed. He has performed well in Listed races carrying 60kg. and will find 53kg. an absolute luxury.
World famous hoop Frankie Dettori is over for the ride. Another plus, even though we haven't seen the best of him in the few rides he has had in this country. 

Second Coming

No7
52.5kg
Barrier 17
Jockey-Michael Coleman
Jockey Rating 9 
Trainer-M D Moroney
Last five starts-1s507
This distance-4 sts.1 1 0

He won the Victorian Derby back in 1997. After three runs in from a spell he is primed for a big run. He ran an impressive seventh in the Caulfield Cup finishing the race off strongly over the 2400 metres. Second Coming will have no problems with the 3200 metres. In last year's Melbourne Cup he finished an unlucky seventh after being badly checked in the straight. Back in January this year he was beaten by a bob of the head in the Group 1 Auckland Cup over 3200 metres and four weeks later won the Group 1 Wellington Cup over 3200 metres by more than  three lengths. His regular jockey in New Zealand is over for the ride.

Coco Cobanna

No8
52kg
Barrier 22
Jockey-Chris Munce
Jockey Rating 9 
Trainer-Gai Waterhouse
Last five starts-71108
This distance-0 sts.0 0 0

This four year old mare easily won the 2400 metres Group 1 Australian Oaks in April this year. Her last two runs have been very ordinary and she will clearly need to improve. The wide barrier does not help. 

Kaapstaad Way

No9
52kg
Barrier12
Jockey-Damien Oliver
Jockey Rating 10 
Trainer-C J Wood
Last five starts-90382
This distance-0 sts.0 0 0

This five year old New Zealand gelding looks an outstanding chance. His recent form is excellent. It includes a close third in the Group 1 Weight for Age Underwood Stakes at Caulfield and an brilliant Cup trial with a fast finishing second in the Caulfield Cup. He meets the Caulfield Cup winner Diatribe two kilos better at the weights. Leading hoop Damien Oliver has managed to get the ride back after sacking the horse at short notice for the Caulfield Cup after believing the weather forecast of rain for the days leading up to the race. Kaapstaad Way  will be scratched if the track is Slow or worse but it looks very likely the track will be Good as the weather in Melbourne is fine and warm.  

Maridpour

No10
52kg
Barrier 7
Jockey-Greg Childs
Jockey Rating 8 
Trainer-M D Moroney
Last five starts-s0088
This distance-4 sts.0 0 1

On his recent form he has no chance. However it is worth noting his close third to Arctic Owl at Sandown Park in England over 3289 metres back in May 1999. He meets the horse two and a half kilos better at the weights. A repeat of that run and Maridpour will be right in the race.

The Hind

No11
52kg
Barrier 13
Jockey-Stephen Baster
Jockey Rating 8 
Trainer-P C Hayes
Last five starts-40500
This distance-4 sts.1 0 0

This six year old is an out and out stayer. He just keeps grinding away. He was beaten less than five lengths in last year's Melbourne Cup after suffering major interference in the straight. His close fifth in the race of the Melbourne Autumn Carnival, the  Group 1 Weight for Age Australian Cup over 2000 metres is also worth noting. The Hind has had six runs in from a spell. However there must be some fitness/health queries. On October 26 he failed to finish a 2500 metres race at Moonee Valley and had to undergo a vet's examination. Last Saturday he was beaten by seven lengths in the Mackinnon Stakes at Flemington.

Yippyio

No12
52kg
Barrier 19
Jockey-Darren Beadman
Jockey Rating 10 
Trainer-A J Denham
Last five starts-78141
This distance-5 sts.1 0 1

This seven year old gelding is racing at the top of his form. He will have no problems with the distance, having won the 3200 metres Brisbane Cup in June this year, however he did finish a well beaten seventh in the 3200 metres Sydney Cup only five weeks earlier. Last start at Moonee Valley on October 26 he was an impressive winner over 2500 metres. There is a six kilos weight drop for that win. A lightweight chance with a top hoop who is a big race winner.

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