BEST LONGSHOT TIPS FOR MELBOURNE CUP (TOP 5)
GOODIE TWO SHOES
The Irish bred mare Goodie Two Shoes (IRE) comes to Australia with the Joseph O’Brien stable, who have been successful in two Melbourne Cups already. She probably looks the second best horse from the stable contesting the race as they also have Al Riffa (FR) contesting this race.
This mare comes to Melbourne in fine form. She strung together three straight wins in Ireland before placing in Group 2 company at Goodwood (GB) before traveling across to Australia. She has no weight to carry in the Melbourne Cup and looks one of the better hopes at the bottom of the weights.
CHEVALIER ROSE
The Japanese must always be respected when they travel with horses anywhere in the world and they have proven they know how to win the Melbourne Cup after Delta Blues and Pop Rock quinelled the race back in 2006.
This season the world famous colours of Carrot Farm will be carried by a son of Deep Impact (JPN) in Chevalier Rose. The Melbourne Cup became his aim when this time last year he won the Group 2 Stayers Stakes (3600m) back in Japan and that was the same race that Delta Blues won leading into his successful Melbourne Cup year. His form since then back home has not been flattering but Australian rider Damian Lane takes the mount and can never underestimate the Japanese raiders.
FLATTEN THE CURVE
Well-traveled French bred gelding Flatten The Curve (FR) is a big watch in this year’s Melbourne Cup. Now trained in Germany, he has become the dominant stayer in that country.
Two starts back he won the Listed Langer Hamburge over 3200m then he made the long trek to the USA and demolished a staying field at Kentucky winning the Bowling Green Gold Cup over 3319m.
Unlike many of his rivals in this year’s Melbourne Cup he will have no query on running the two miles and remember when Germany last dominated a Melbourne Cup in 2014 with Protectionist.
Would not be underestimating this chestnut gelding.
TORRANZINO
The Geelong Cup has been a good guide to the Melbourne Cup and it could also point to another chance this year after Torranzino produced a gutsy on pace win at Geelong. He stamped his mark on this race when he just missed behind Valiant King in the Bart Cummings at Flemington two starts back.
It could be a fairytale for rider Celine Gaudray as she has her first ride in a Melbourne Cup but if she can produce similar to how she rode this gelding at Geelong he will get his chance in the straight.
BIRDMAN
Irish import who won the Group 3 Kingston Town in Sydney three back. Looked bit stiff when raced tight in The Metropolitan before a strong finish when beaten just on 3 lengths in the Caulfield Cup last start.
Racing as though he is looking for the two miles and would not be surprised to see him run into exotics.