4/11/2003 edition

Melbourne Cup Tips

How does your Cup horse rate?

Distinctly Secret

No9
52.5kg.
Br g 5 yrs
Barrier 19
Jockey - Kerrin McEvoy
Trainer - Mark Walker
29 starts, 8-4-3
Last five starts - 11625
Prizemoney $1,199,602
Average Prizemoney $41,365
Has handled Good to Slow tracks, but is best on Good tracks. Has never raced on a Heavy rated track.
Melbourne Cup distance - 1 st. 0-0-0

At his only attempt at 3200 metres he finished sixth in last year's Cup.

He ran an excellent third in this year's Caulfield Cup but was a little disappointing in the Mackinnon on Saturday where he finished fifth, 3.7 lengths from Casual Pass.

Distinctly Secret has a Cup winning jockey and must rate a show in the Cup, but history points to horses with strong lead up runs as being the most likely winners.

Hugs Dancer

No10
52kg.
B g 7 yrs
Barrier 14
Jockey - D McKeown
Trainer - James Given
33 starts, 8-2-6
Last five starts - 81037
Prizemoney $875,135
Average Prizemoney $26,519
All but three runs have been on Good rated tracks. He has failed to place three times on Slow rated tracks.
Melbourne Cup distance - 6 sts. 0-1-1

The gelding is a true stayer and his winning range is between 2400 metres and 4200 metres.

However a rain affected track must be a major worry. So too, with all due respect, might be his overseas based jockey. The smart stables from overseas are now usually putting the best locals on their horses.

Hugs Dancer put in a huge run in the Caulfield Cup, when from barrier 12, D. McKeown had him on the speed and wide throughout. Another run like that and Hugs Dancer will not win.

Grey Song

No11
51kg.
Gr g 5 yrs
Barrier 20
Jockey - Steven King
Trainer - Tommy Hughes
35 starts, 5-4-3
Last five starts - 62092
Prizemoney $1,275,500
Average Prizemoney $36,442
Handles all track conditions, but loves wet tracks
Melbourne Cup distance - 3 sts. 0-0-1

Grey Song ran third in this year's Sydney Cup over 3200 metres. His last start was a huge run for second in the Caulfield Cup. The gelding is flying at present. With the likelihood of getting his ideal track conditions, he must rate a strong show in the Melbourne Cup.

Makybe Diva

No12
51kg.
B m 5 yrs
Barrier 15
Jockey - Glen Boss
Trainer - David Hall
13 starts, 6-0-0
Last five starts - 6S4444
Prizemoney $391,775
Average Prizemoney $30,136
Handles all track conditions
Melbourne Cup distance - 0 sts. 0-0-0

Her final lead up run was an excellent fourth in the Caulfield Cup.

She has two wins from four starts at Flemington and will handle the track conditions. She must rate a good show in the Cup. The big query is whether she will get the distance.

This edition of Punt to Win:
Melbourne Cup facts and figures
How does your Melbourne Cup horse rate?
Jardine's Lookout, Mamool, Mummify, Millstreet
Pentastic, County Tyrone, Holy Orders, Mr.Prudent
Distinctly Secret, Hugs Dancer, Grey Song, Makybe Diva
Piachay, Tumeric, Frightening, Schumpeter
She's Archie, Zagalia, Ain't Seen Nothin', Big Pat
Bold Bard, Debben, Fawaz, Yakama
Punt to Win 31/10/2003
Punt to Win index

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