A good Melbourne Cup preparation will cost you some time but Melbourne Cup glory will last forever. That’s my message to punters keen to impress friends and workmates at this year’s big race. Let’s be honest, we’ve all left it to the last minute, thrown some cash down on a horse just because it has a cool name only to cheer for the wrong one down the back stretch care of your alcohol induced colour blindness. It sucks thinking you picked the trifecta only to find out you didn’t even bet on the right race. Not this year.
With the field yet to be finalised, there are still plenty of curve balls to be thrown with scratched horses and fluctuating odds but among these five horse (barring incident) is your golden ticket.
Keep in mind, if you have a bet with Centrebet on the Cup and run second to the favourite, they will refund your first losing bet. You can’t lose! (okay, you can but not to that damned favorite!)
DUNADEN (FR) – Trainer: Mikel Delzangles ($6.50)
This four legged Napoleon has set about conquering the racing globe with ruthless efficiency. Unbeaten in Australia, Dunaden took out the 2011 Geelong Cup and the 2011 Melbourne Cup, before winning the Hong Kong Vase later in the year. Dunaden has returned once again to our shores with a Spring Carnival plunder in mind. Victory in last weekend’s Caulfield Cup was the perfect start to the campaign. Criticised for being a bit of a showboat among the other horses, Dunaden’s distinct yellow with blue stars will ensure he sticks out from the crowd.
MOUNT ATHOS (IRE) – Trainer: Luca Cumani ($9.00)
Another foreign raider, this Irish import was named in homage to the Greek ‘Holy Mountain’. Despite a successful quarantine, there is no promise that Mount Athos will run before the Cup but trainer Luca Cumani believes he “runs best when fresh.” The ancient Greeks had great physiques and so does Mount Athos so fitness shouldn’t be a problem.
AMERICAIN (USA) – Trainer: Alain de Royer Dupre ($9.50)
History is against the 2010 Cup winner. Not since Peter Pan’s victorious runs in 1932/34 has a horse won the race twice in non-consecutive years. Americain can’t remember back that far but as an 8 year old he will be one of the oldest runners in the field. Not since Catalogue in 1938 has an 8 year-old won the Cup. With class and some decent form, Americain has a real chance of making history. Known around the stables as a bit of a princess, Americain has has always been fussy racer with only 31 starts during his career which means he’ll be fresher than most horses his age.
BRIGANTIN (USA) – Trainer: Andre Fabre ($10.00)
French trainer Andre Fabre has enjoyed great success in France, Germany, Canada, Italy, Ireland, Dubai, the United Kingdom and the United States. Now his attention turns to Australia and our greatest race of all. Brigatin is a tough slugger. Enduring plenty of contact to snatch a third in the Geelong Cup, Brigitin came home strong after a slow first 1600m and signaled himself as a horse with the mindset of a good distance racer.
GREEN MOON (IRE) – Trainer: Robert Hickmott ($12.00)
This camera shy Irish horse lets his work speak for itself on the track. Punters can get a look at him in the upcoming Cox Plate. Green Moon is a bit of a loner and he doesn’t like to get in amongst it so his chances would improve even further with a wide barrier draw.
As always, we urge you to bet sensibly. As for office sweepstakes, we recommend rigging the competition so you receive one of these horses as best to maximise your chance of taking out the money. It’s only cheating if you get caught.
Odds are subject to change. For latest odds head to Centrebet
Pictures by Getty Images
