Weight Nor Barrier To Hinder Dunaden


As is always the case in the lead up to the big race, their are plenty of owners and trainers spruiking their chances for Melbourne Cup glory. The most ominous warning this year is coming from Dunaden owner, Sheikh Fahd Al Thani who claims that last-year’s Cup winner was only racing at 80% when he dominated the Caulfield Cup field two weeks ago.

Dunaden is a champion ridden by a champion and his trainer is a champion,” the Sheikh said.”I think he is the right horse to do it and the barrier (16) is perfect. We are very pleased with the horse as we thought he was 80 per cent fit for the Caulfield Cup and he has come on a lot since then. He has come on a lot since then and is 100 per cent for the Melbourne Cup. The horse loves Australia, he definitely improves down here.”

For Dunaden to win, he’ll have to do so carrying more weight (59kg) than any other winner since metric weights were introduced in 1972. Perhaps more of a worry is that Red Cadeaux, last year’s very close second, will be running 3.5kg lighter while current favourite Americain will be travelling 1kg lighter. To put Americain’s 1kg into perspective, he was running 3.5kg heavier last year when he came fourth. Essentially Americain is 4.5kg better off this year in comparison to Dunaden.

Of the favourites, Mount Athos appears to be the best placed in terms of barrier. Drawing barrier 8 was the perfect scenario according to his owner Dr Marwan KoukahOur main rivals, Dunaden (16) and Americain (12) have drawn wide so they should be behind us in the run,” he said. “He has a devastating turn of foot, better than anything else, and now we will be closer up the front and not coming from four or five lengths further back.I really think we can win and we should be favourite now

At present, the weather forecast is as vague as you can expect for a spring day in Melbourne with temperatures between 22-29 degrees with some cloud cover and possible showers. It appears the weatherman has hedged his bets effectivly only ruling out snow as a possible race determining factor. Americain will be competitive in most conditions and Mount Athos’ odds will drop further with a dry track. If Melbourne does cop it’s share of rain, expect Irish stayer Galileo’s Choice to feature at the head of the pack.

Centrebet Odds
1. AMERICAIN $5.50
2. DUNADEN $7.50
3. MOUNT ATHOS $7.50
4. RED CADEAUX $11.00
5. MY QUEST FOR PEACE $17.00

For full field click here.

Odds subject to change.

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.

Picture by Vince Caligiuri/Getty Images

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