Melbourne Cup 2010

All racing talk this week centred around the release of the weights for the 2010 Melbourne Cup, due to be run at fabulous Flemington on Tuesday November 2.

Sharing top billing with 2007 Cup winner Efficient on 58kg is Alandi - both gallopers trained at Mt Macedon by Robert Hickmott and raced in the navy blue and white colours of prolific owner Lloyd Williams.

Efficient has already been tagged an unlikely runner but Alandi was purchased from the UK with the big race in mind - last year winning two of Europe's Group 1 feature staying events, the Prix du Cadran at Longchamp and the Irish St Leger at The Curragh.

Interesting to note is the fact that no original topweight since Comic Court way back in 1950 has taken out the Melbourne Cup - and 17 in that time have tried.

Three horses have been alotted by VRC Chief Handicapper Greg Carpenter 57.5kg and all three - Cavalryman, Jaguar Mail and Mastery - are internationals.

Japanese star Jaguar Mail won't be heading down under but it is worth looking at the other two. Cavalryman has won four of his 13 starts - the Godolphin owned bay enjoying his biggest moment taking out last year's Group One Grand Prix de Paris.

Also donning the famous all blue Godolphin silks, Mastery is a lightly raced five-year-old, the veteran of just ten starts - last year winning the Group 2 Italian Derby and the Group 1 English St Leger.

Another three horses come in at 57kg and only one of those - last year's runaway winner Shocking (up 6kg) - is a local. Unlikely runner Meiner Kitz shares third topweight as does Rite Of Passage.

A versatile seven-year-old who has won over the jumps and at Group 1 level on the flat - at his most recent outing in mid-June taking out the Ascot Gold Cup - he has to be respected purely for who trains him - Dermot Weld.

He has of course already won the Melbourne Cup, twice in fact - with Vintage Crop in 1993 and Media Puzzle in 2002. A movie about the latter and his ties with Damien Oliver is currently in production.

Australian horses up amongst the topweights also include Metal Bender who flashed home to win the Group 2 Warwick Stakes at his first run since a Group 1 Doomben Cup victory in May. He will carry 56kg as will the Bart Cummings trained So You Think could not have been more impressive winning the Group 2 Memsie Stakes first up.

Derby winners Rebel Raider, Shoot Out and Monaco Consul look decent chances this far out whilst Group One weight-for-age winners Zipping and Sirmione will also have plenty of fans.

The count-down is on!

Melbourne Cup results 2009

Race 1

Under-rated trainer Robbie Laing might be better known for producing stayers and jumpers but he was able to take out the opening race on Cup day with 2yo filly She's Got Gears.
Purchased for just $45,000, the daughter of Invincible Spirit unleashed a powerful turn of foot after a tardy beginning, to win by half a length from the David Hayes-trained Shaaheq.
The first three horses home were on the inside rail of Flemington's straight, with Devil's Melody leading the brigade on the unfavoured outside of the course. Crystal lily held on well for third, while the on-course tip Riverina's Gal ran well on debut for fourth.

1. She's Got Gears
2. Shaaheq
3. Crystal lily
4. Riverina's Gal

Race 2

Well backed favourite Lamarr looked the winner close to home for Michael Rodd, but wilted slightly on her run to be overtaken by smart mare Avienus.
Ridden supremely by little-known jockey Kane Bradley, Avienus slipped up on the inside for an impressive win and Bradley's first win at Flemington.
Bashful Girl battled on gamely for second, despite a wide run for the majority.

1. Avienus
2. Bashful Girl
3. Lamarr
4. Miss Lily Rose

Race 3

In a blow-out race for most punters, Linton Street hit the line hard under the urgings of under-rated jockey Chris Symons to wear down Juan Carlos who looked the winner in the straight after a mid-race move.
Trainer Michael Moroney declared the lightly-raced Linton Street an out and out stayer with bigger assignments within his grasp.
Courtney and Doosra Diamond finished third and fourth, respectively, although finished a long way from the first pair.

1. Linton Street
2. Juan Carlos
3. Courtney
4. Doosra Diamond

Race 4

Nick Hall's timely ride lifted Strawberry Field to an upset over heavily backed Ortensia.
Widely regarded as the best bet of the day, Ortensia was given a comfortable run in transit but was unable to find clear galloping room until the final 50m to go down by a long head.
Strawberry Field's performance has now warranted a tilt at a Listed race at Sandown on Saturday week, according to Trainer John O'Shea.
Rose Syrah held down third, and Amberino ran nicely for fourth.

1. Strawberry Field
2. Ortensia
3. Rose Syrah
4. Amberino

Race 5

Common Interest's liking to straight-racing was outlined here, bursting the bubble of the previously undefeated odds-on favourite Definitely Ready.
Favourite backers were ready to collect their winnings with 100m to go when three lengths in front, until he compounded against the fierce headwind in the closing stages.
With Dwayne Dunn aboard, Common Interest gave trainer Lee Freedman his first victory of the Melbourne Cup Carnival. Devils Force ran home strongly for second, with Broken finishing strongly for third.

1. Common Interest
2. Devil's Force
3. Broken
4. Definitely Ready

Race 6

Talented South Australian filly Majestic Music proved a touch too classy for her rivals in the Lexus plate over 1400m.
Jockey Steven Arnold provided the Leon Macdonald and Andrew Gluyas trained filly with a perfect ride, settling comfortably with cover from a wide gate then unleashing her powerful finish at the right moment in the straight.
Europa Point hung on gamely for second, while Indian Ocean flashed home for third.

1. Majestic Music
2. Europa Point
3. Indian Ocean
4. Furline

Race 7

Mark Kavanagh's rollercoaster spring ride turned a full circle with Shocking's win in the 2010 Melbourne Cup. Despite racing three wide without for the better part of the race, jockey Corey Brown found sufficient gas in the tank to run the 3200m out strongly to atone last year's disappointment when second on Bauer.
Godolphin's Crime Scene appeared the winner 150m from home, settled for second after being unable to finish off in the same emphatic style as Shocking.
International horses filled the placings with South African-trained Mourilyan finishing hard for third, with Glyn Schofield on board. Last year's fourth placegetter Master O'Reilly ran on gallantly, managing to secure a successive fourth placing.
Equal-favourite Alcopop was given every chance, but the lack of race experience in his lead-up probably took its tool in the final furlong. Leica Ding and Daffodil were entitled to finish closer after encountering trouble in the straight, and Viewed just got too far back.
All credit to Mark Kavanagh, Corey Brown and Shocking - An extraordinary performance, and sweet redemption for Kav.

1. Shocking
2. Crime Scene
3. Mourilyan
4. Master O'Reilly

Race 8

Consistent South Australian galloper Right Fong couldn't have been more impressive striding to victory in the Johnnie Walker Stakes over 1800m. Jockey Mark Pegus produced the David Balfour-trained six-year-old at the top of the straight and immediately pounced upon his rivals to score emphatically.
La Rocket raced on the speed and finished bravely for second, and favourite Sound Of Nature battled away for third.
1. Right Fong
2. La Rocket
3. Sound Of Nature
4. The Fonz

Race 9

Sydney sprinter Ahdashim prevailed in a tight photo finish victory over favourite Here De Angels in the penultimate event on Melbourne Cup day.
The Gerald Ryan-trained galloper sat off the speed with Blake Shinn in the saddle, and produced a devastating burst to tip out Melbourne Cup winning trainer Mark Kavanagh's Here De Angels who led for the majority.
In a tight finish, All Cheval held third and Snip Esprit finished in fourth.

1. Ahdashim
2. Here De Angels
3. All Cheval
4. Snip Esprit

Race 10

Flying Tessie showcased her devastating finishing sprint in the final race on the program, surging clear to win with relative ease. Race-favourite Huxxsen continued the theme of the day with another favourite struggling to find clear galloping room at a vital stage.
Spirited Halo and Bonindi held down second and third, respectively but were no match for the winner.

1. Flying Tessie
2. Spirited Halo
3. Bonindi
4. Syndrome

The first Tuesday in November - Australia's most famous race date - is when Melbourne Cup bets dominate proceedings.

In Melbourne it's been a public holiday (since 1877), elsewhere, it is an excuse for an early knock-off work, a barbeque with friends and a bet on the race.

Flemington Carnival Race Schedule

The Flemington Carnival has so many races in it that to make it easier for you to know exactly when each race is running and what type of race it is.

The race schedule has a comprehensive list for each day of the carnival with what races are running.

Flemington Carnival Guide

The Flemington Carnival is arguably the biggest racing event on the world calendar. It has the Melbourne Cup the second highest paying race in the world and in addition loads of other races throughout the carnival.

The Flemington Carnival has so much going on that Betfair has put together a small guide for you to read. It has the favourites for the big races and some of the most talked about questions regarding the carnival

Betting Markets Offered

Betfair will be offering all traditional forms of markets for the Flemington Carnival, so your win and each way markets will be available for every race each day.

In addition to these markets though, Betfair has a comprehensive list of special markets that are going to be available during the carnival. These markets are:

Flemington Carnival TV Coverage

Betfair has recently entered into a new agreement with VRC

Recognised as one of the great value races of the season, the highlight of Melbourne Cup Day attracts attention around the country and beyond - the massive pool providing ample opportunity to profit with extra value now available with Betfair.

Melbourne Cup Betting

Each November every person with even the slightest connection to the sport of thoroughbred horse racing cannot wait for Melbourne Cup betting action at Flemington racecourse.

Recognised as one of the great value races of the season, the highlight of Melbourne Cup Day attracts attention around the country and beyond - the massive pool providing ample opportunity to profit with extra value now available with Betfair.