Melbourne Cup horses, field, signifier guide: SIMON O'DONNELL is simply a racing commentator, the laminitis of Wingara Thoroughbreds and a erstwhile Australian planetary cricketer.
All the attraction up of this year's Melbourne Cup is connected Peter Moody's outstanding caller superstar, Incentivise.
It looks similar the gelding volition commencement the contention arsenic the shortest-priced favourite since Phar Lap, which is rather incredible.
For me, though, there's capable question marks astir the equine that I'm blessed to enactment my wealth elsewhere for the Cup.
The 57kg Incentivise volition carry, coming disconnected what has been a truly investigating preparation, and past drafting obstruction 16... he's a superstar if helium tin win, an implicit superstar.
I person that question mark. His emergence has been truthful quick, and he's deserved the emergence aft winning successful peculiar the Turnbull and the Caulfield Cup. You can't instrumentality amended signifier into this race.
But present carrying 57kg he's got to measurement up to the greats to triumph the Melbourne Cup, and I wonderment if it's a twelvemonth excessively aboriginal for him to bash that.
But thing would astonishment me, due to the fact that helium conscionable keeps stepping up.
Here's my instrumentality connected each runner, and my contention tips below.
1. TWILIGHT PAYMENT (barrier 2)
9yo gelding
Weight: 58kg
Trainer: Joseph O'Brien
Jockey: Jye McNeil
Career: 35: 9-11-8
Last 6: x33912
Win range: 2414m - 3218m
Earnings: $5,682805
Odds: 11 / 3.25 (courtesy of Bet365 arsenic of midday Sunday)
Simon O'Donnell says: On signifier he's going amended than erstwhile helium came present and won this contention past year. Rises 2.5kg, but jumps from a amended barrier. Genuine contender.
2. INCENTIVISE (barrier 16)
5yo gelding
Weight: 57kg
Trainer: Peter Moody
Jockey: Brett Prebble
Career: 12: 9-0-0
Last 6: 111111
Win range: 1600m - 2500m
Earnings: $4,643,300
Odds: 2.50 / 1.56 (courtesy of Bet365 arsenic of midday Sunday)
Simon O'Donnell says: Extraordinary ascent to occurrence successful his abbreviated career. Massive inquire carrying 57kg to triumph this race. But arsenic he's shown frankincense far, thing is beyond him.
3. SPANISH MISSION (barrier 14)
6yo stallion
Weight: 57kg
Trainer: Andrew Balding
Jockey: Craig Williams
Career: 12: 6-2-2
Last 6: x25132
Win range: 2012m - 3600m
Earnings: $1,174,942
Odds: 8 / 2.75 (courtesy of Bet365 arsenic of midday Sunday)
Simon O'Donnell says: Class European enactment who hasn't had an casual week starring successful from a veterinary perspective. At his champion volition beryllium precise competitive, but a question people lingers due to the fact that of each the other investigating and procedures helium has had to spell done this week.
Great House wins mode into Melbourne Cup
4. VERRY ELLEEGANT (barrier 19)
6yo mare
Weight: 57kg
Trainer: Chris Waller
Jockey: James McDonald
Career: 33: 14-7-3
Last 6: 2x2143
Win range: 1400m - 2400m
Earnings: $9,690,744
Odds: 14 / 3.75 (courtesy of Bet365 arsenic of midday Sunday)
Simon O'Donnell says: Superstar mare who acquitted herself precise good successful this contention past year. Steps up 1.5kg arsenic her Cox Plate tally was solid. If she had drawn a amended obstruction she would beryllium fractional the terms she is now.
5. EXPLOSIVE JACK (barrier 4)
4yo stallion
Weight: 54kg
Trainer: Ciaron Maher and David Eustace
Jockey: John Allen
Career: 12-5-1-2
Last 6: 13x950
Win range: 1600m - 2500m
Earnings: $1,814,730
Odds: 51 / 10 (courtesy of Bet365 arsenic of midday Sunday)
Simon O'Donnell says: Hasn't deed apical cogwheel since a stunning three-year-old preparation. Should admit the journey, but would beryllium a monolithic signifier reversal connected what we person seen this clip around.
6. THE CHOSEN ONE (barrier 5)
6yo stallion
Weight: 54kg
Trainer: Murray Baker and Andrew Forsman
Jockey: Damian Lane
Career: 38: 8-6-3
Last 6: 6x3420
Win range: 1400m - 2400m
Earnings: $1,949,671
Odds: 51 / 10 (courtesy of Bet365 arsenic of midday Sunday)
Simon O'Donnell says: A genuine stayer who was competitory successful 2020. Enjoys a steadfast way which helium should get connected Tuesday, and should beryllium competitory again. My question is people is does helium person that slayer punch to outclass the apical guns?
Hitotsu wins the Victoria Derby
7. DELPHI (barrier 3)
5yo stallion
Weight: 53.5kg
Trainer: Anthony and Sam Freedman
Jockey: Damien Oliver
Career: 10: 5-1-0
Last 6: x64210
Win range: 1609m - 2816m
Earnings: $360,841
Odds: 41 / 8.50 (courtesy of Bet365 arsenic of midday Sunday)
Simon O'Donnell says: Completely upside down successful the Caulfield Cup. Will beryllium ridden a batch quieter present implicit the 2 miles. Has genuine quality to stay, but needs to settee to beryllium competitive.
8. OCEAN BILLY (barrier 13)
6yo gelding
Weight: 53.5kg
Trainer: Chris Waller
Jockey: Damien Thornton
Career: 32: 10-1-2
Last 6: 0x5059
Win range: 1400m - 3200m
Earnings: $326,452
Odds: 101 / 19 (courtesy of Bet365 arsenic of midday Sunday)
Simon O'Donnell says: Hopefully suited amended implicit the 2 miles, but I've not seen capable connected insubstantial to beryllium a top-three finisher successful this field.
9. SELINO (barrier 24)
6yo gelding
Weight: 53.5kg
Trainer: Chris Waller
Jockey: Ron Stewart
Career: 20: 3-5-2
Last 6: 1x0840
Win range: 2815m - 3328m
Earnings: $1,481,470
Odds: 67 / 12 (courtesy of Bet365 arsenic of midday Sunday)
Simon O'Donnell says: Genuine two-miler. Won a Sydney Cup, but rises 3kg connected that win. Possible top-10 finisher.
Incentivise takes retired $5 cardinal Caulfield Cup
10. JOHNNY GET ANGRY (barrier 22)
4yo gelding
Weight: 53kg
Trainer: Denis Pagan
Jockey: Lachlan King (a)
Career: 11: 1-1-2
Last 6: 1x0090
Win range: 2500m
Earnings: $1,268,675
Odds: 81 / 15 (courtesy of Bet365 arsenic of midday Sunday)
Simon O'Donnell says: Form starring successful has been horrible, aft occurrence successful past year's VRC Derby. All reports connected trackwork person been good, but hasn't been capable to person into contention signifier this preparation.
11. KNIGHTS ORDER (barrier 9)
7yo gelding
Weight: 53kg
Trainer: Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott
Jockey: Daniel Stackhouse
Career: 20: 7-0-2
Last 6: 1x9097
Win range: 1990m - 3200m
Earnings: $467,501
Odds: 201 / 35 (courtesy of Bet365 arsenic of midday Sunday)
Simon O'Donnell says: Will beryllium trained and hard-fit to tally 2 miles. The question people whether there's capable people to tally against the apical support successful a Melbourne Cup.
12. PERSAN (barrier 11)
5yo gelding
Weight: 53kg
Trainer: Ciaron Maher and David Eustace
Jockey: Luke Currie
Career: 27: 7-5-3
Last 6: 44x373
Win range: 1600m - 2510m
Earnings: $1,404,721
Odds: 26 / 5.50 (courtesy of Bet365 arsenic of midday Sunday)
Simon O'Donnell says: Lovely adjacent build-up to this year's Melbourne Cup aft a competitory effort successful 2020. Expect him to beryllium astir the people again successful this year's mentation of the race.
13. CARIF (barrier 8)
6yo gelding
Weight: 52.5kg
Trainer: Peter and Paul Snowden
Jockey: Blaike McDougall
Career: 37: 3-8-1
Last 6: 2x4747
Win range: 1850m - 3200m
Earnings: $730,285
Odds: 201 / 35 (courtesy of Bet365 arsenic of midday Sunday)
Simon O'Donnell says: Isn't bringing a signifier enactment into this contention that I deliberation gives him a genuine chance.
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14. MASTER OF WINE (barrier 6)
7yo gelding
Weight: 52.5kg
Trainer: Michael, Wayne and John Hawkes
Jockey: Fred Kersley
Career: 28: 5-5-4
Last 6: x00030
Win range: 1400m - 2400m
Earnings: $900,309
Odds: 101 / 19 (courtesy of Bet365 arsenic of midday Sunday)
Simon O'Donnell says: Can premix his form, but is showing a small much dash this mentation than past. If helium gets it close connected the time tin tally a competitory race.
15. PONDUS (barrier 1)
6yo gelding
Weight: 52.5kg
Trainer: Robert Hickmott
Jockey: Rachel King
Career: 19: 3-7-1
Last 6: 722x54
Win range: 2002m - 2389m
Earnings: $336,109
Odds: 34 / 7 (courtesy of Bet365 arsenic of midday Sunday)
Simon O'Donnell says: On the aboveground has been a small disappointing since arriving from Ireland. May admit being ridden a small quieter, and if truthful whitethorn vie for a top-10 finish.
16. GRAND PROMENADE (barrier 21)
6yo gelding
Weight: 52kg
Trainer: Ciaron Maher and David Eustace
Jockey: Kerrin McEvoy
Career: 19: 8-4-2
Last 6: 211251
Win range: 1700m - 2600m
Earnings: $1,009,800
Odds: 20 / 4.60 (courtesy of Bet365 arsenic of midday Sunday)
Simon O'Donnell says: Lovely spaced-out mentation starring into this Melbourne Cup. In the hands of precise astute region trainers. Expect him to tally to the champion of his abilities connected Tuesday, which could make a top-five finish.
17. MIAMI BOUND (barrier 17)
5yo mare
Weight: 52kg
Trainer: Danny O'Brien
Jockey: Patrick Moloney
Career: 26: 5-0-5
Last 6: 3x0095
Win range: 1400m - 2500m
Earnings: $1,672,200
Odds: 151 / 26 (courtesy of Bet365 arsenic of midday Sunday)
Simon O'Donnell says: Best signifier implicit her vocation has been connected rain-effected ground, which it doesn't look she is going to get to suit connected Tuesday. A genuine stayer who won past year's Moonee Valley Cup. Track conditions volition beryllium her biggest detractor.
18. PORT GUILLAUME (barrier 23)
5yo gelding
Weight: 52kg
Trainer: Ben and JD Hayes
Jockey: Harry Coffey
Career: 10: 4-0-0
Last 6: 0x0600
Win range: 2000m - 2500m
Earnings: $308,688
Odds: 151 / 26 (courtesy of Bet365 arsenic of midday Sunday)
Simon O'Donnell says: Been mixing his riding tactics this mentation to fig retired what champion suits. Ridden softly volition springiness him his champion accidental of staying the 2 miles. If so, a top-10 decorativeness could past beryllium his champion imaginable if helium gets it right.
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19. SHE'S IDEEL (barrier 20)
6yo mare
Weight: 52kg
Trainer: Bjorn Baker
Jockey: Craig Newitt
Career: 25: 6-6-5
Last 6: x37197
Win range: 1550m - 2400m
Earnings: $1,101,075
Odds: 101 / 19 (courtesy of Bet365 arsenic of midday Sunday)
Simon O'Donnell says: Her past 2 starts connected the aboveground person been disappointing aft immoderate promising Sydney form. She's a question people astatine the 2 miles, and the obstruction gully yet different challenge.
20. FUTURE SCORE (barrier 15)
7yo gelding
Weight: 51.5kg
Trainer: Matt Cumani
Jockey: Dean Yendall
Career: 22: 6-2-4
Last 6: 33x086
Win range: 1600m - 2600m
Earnings: $565,381
Odds: 301 / 46 (courtesy of Bet365 arsenic of midday Sunday)
Simon O'Donnell says: Had a precise bully illustration for this contention past spring, but has struggled to rekindle that form. Likes Flemington, but needs a monolithic signifier turnaround.
21. TRALEE ROSE (barrier 12)
5yo mare
Weight: 51kg
Trainer: Symon Wilde
Jockey: Dean Holland
Career: 15: 6-4-2
Last 6: 4x3321
Win range: 1700m - 2800m
Earnings: $744,725
Odds: 16/4 (courtesy of Bet365 arsenic of midday Sunday)
Simon O'Donnell says: Genuine top-three contender. Two miles should beryllium to her benefit, and the unchangeable are successful large form. Far from the worst.
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22. FLOATING ARTIST (barrier 10)
6yo gelding
Weight: 50kg
Trainer: Ciaron Maher and David Eustace
Jockey: Teodore Nugent
Career: 15: 5-2-1
Last 6: 011132
Win range: 1600m - 2406m
Earnings: $479,018
Odds: 18 / 4.50 (courtesy of Bet365 arsenic of midday Sunday)
Simon O'Donnell says: There person been large raps connected this chap close passim the build-up to this Melbourne Cup. Stable are precise blessed to person him successful the field. If helium tin get the two-mile, with precise accordant signifier starring in, helium whitethorn surprise.
23. GREAT HOUSE (barrier 7)
5yo gelding
Weight: 50kg
Trainer: Ciaron Maher and David Eustace
Jockey: Michael Dee
Career: 15: 5-2-3
Last 6: 751551
Win range: 1500m - 2500m
Earnings: $512,990
Odds: 26 / 5.50 (courtesy of Bet365 arsenic of midday Sunday)
Simon O'Donnell says: Winner of The Hotham and the last summons into the race. Genuine stayer. Not definite helium has the people to triumph this race, but a genuine top-10 contender.
24. SIR LUCAN (barrier 18)
4yo stallion
Weight: 50kg
Trainer: Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott
Jockey: Glen Boss
Career: 8: 2-1-0
Last 6: x81248
Win range: 1609m - 2615m
Earnings: $152,926
Odds: 21 / 4.80 (courtesy of Bet365 arsenic of midday Sunday)
Simon O'Donnell says: May beryllium the astonishment packet. His three-year-old European signifier brings backmost memories of erstwhile bluish hemisphere winners. Big-race rider connected board. Could beryllium successful the finish.
SIMON O'DONNELL'S MELBOURNE CUP TIP
1st Twilight Payment, 2nd Verry Elleegant, 3rd Tralee Rose, 4th Sir Lucan
How it volition play out: I deliberation Twilight Payment volition beryllium up towards the front, I don't deliberation helium volition needfully pb due to the fact that he's present carrying much weight.
Whatever does pb they volition beryllium trying to surge a batch earlier than accustomed to marque it a truly tough-run 2 mile.
It volition beryllium interesting, the tactics, due to the fact that there's not that European power present this year. There's lone 2 overseas-trained horses present successful Twilight Payment and Spanish Mission.
There volition beryllium capable section horses and section contented successful our mode of racing that tactically it could beryllium precise different, the Melbourne Cup this year.
If it becomes a acceptable sprint it brings a batch of ours into it - Verry Elleegant for example. Some of those horses with a small much brilliance, it puts them close into the contention wherever it hasn't taken the borderline disconnected them successful running, and they've inactive got thing to springiness successful that past 600m.
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