1. TWILIGHT PAYMENT (GB)

9 year old bay gelding (6-5-2013) Sire: Teofilo (IRE) Dam: Dream On Buddy (IRE) 

Trainer: Joseph O'Brien (Co. Kilkenny (IRE))     Jockey: Jye McNeil 58kg      Barrier:2
Record: 36:9-11-8     Prizemoney:$5,682,805    1st Up: 9:0-5-1    2nd Up: 8:1-1-4    

Rick says...

Was enormous last year when winning the Cup from the front.

Is in just as good as form this time, however he will be forced to carry an extra 2.5kgs up to 58kgs.

It is unlikely we’ll see a 9 year old carrying top weight winning, however I won’t write him off.

 

2. INCENTIVISE

5 year old bay gelding (22-10-2016) Sire: Shamus Award Dam: Miss Argyle (Iglesia)

Trainer: Peter G Moody (Pakenham OC)     Jockey: Brett Prebble 57kg      Barrier:16
Record: 12:9-0-0     Prizemoney:$4,643,300    1st Up: 3:1-0-0    2nd Up: 2:1-0-0     

Rick says...

Star stayer, who has measured up to each challenge he has been presented with.

He couldn’t have been more impressive in the Caulfield Cup, making it a true staying test in the soft conditions.

Although he is carrying a big weight, this former Toowoomba trained runner appears bullet proof.

I believe he will space them to win comfortably.

 

3. SPANISH MISSION (USA)

6 year old bay horse (6-4-2016) Sire: Noble Mission (GB) Dam: Limonar (IRE) (Street Cry (IRE)

Trainer: Andrew Balding (Kingsclere (GB))     Jockey: Craig Williams 57kg      Barrier:14
Record: 18:6-4-3     Prizemoney:$2,092,657    1st Up: 7:0-4-1    2nd Up: 4:2-0-0     

Rick says...

The spruik around this import is based around his close second to Stradivarius.

He had every chance to go past the champion stayer, who wasn’t quite as good as his form 12 months earlier.

History suggests 57kgs first up isn’t the right profile for a UK based galloper.

Distance suits and is in my top 4 based on his overall staying ability.

 

4. VERRY ELLEEGANT (NZ) 

6 year old brown mare (12-10-2015) Sire: Zed (NZ) Dam: Opulence (NZ) (Danroad)

Trainer: Chris Waller (Flemington)     Jockey: James McDonald 57kg      Barrier:19
Record: 33:14-7-3     Prizemoney:$9,690,744    1st Up: 7:1-3-1    2nd Up: 7:4-1-0    

Rick says...

Nine-time Group 1 winner who was pretty good in the Cox Plate last start, which is as good a lead up race as you can get.

Up 1.5kgs in weight from last year’s Melbourne Cup. She was back near the rear and was one of the fastest closers, though she was entitle to given she had little work to do.

Expect her to give a big sight once again. 

 

5. EXPLOSIVE JACK (NZ)

4 year old bay horse (9-11-2017) Sire: Jakkalberry (IRE) Dam: Extra Explosive (NZ) (Ekraar (USA) Trainer: Ciaron Maher & David Eustace (Caulfield)     Jockey: John Allen 54kg      Barrier:4
Record: 12:5-1-2     Prizemoney:$1,814,730    1st Up: 2:1-0-0    2nd Up: 2:0-0-0    Rick says...

Rick says...

Triple Derby winner who ran a solid fifth in the Turnbull stakes.

Jack’s run in the Caulfield Cup (17^th) was too bad to be true, so I am prepared to forgive that effort.

He’s got an inform jockey in John Allen and the Maher/Eustace stable is flying at the moment.

They’re racing for the top 10.

6. THE CHOSEN ONE (NZ)

6 year old bay horse (30-9-2015) Sire: Savabeel Dam: The Glitzy One (Flying Spur)

Trainer: Murray Baker & Andrew Forsman (Cambridge (NZ))     Jockey: Damian Lane 54kg      Barrier:5
Record: 35:6-5-3     Prizemoney:$1,899,409    1st Up: 7:2-2-2    2nd Up: 7:1-1-0    

Rick says...

Another who didn’t fire a shot in the Caulfield Cup.

He ran a career best, in last year’s Melbourne Cup, finishing fourth with 53.5kgs.

He has only 54kgs this year and could be one for the exotics again as he was ticking along OK before last start’s failure.

 

 

Watch Michael Gannon and Dean Watling's early bets for Melbourne Cup week!

 

7. DELPHI (IRE)

5 year old bay horse (31-1-2017) Sire: Galileo (IRE) Dam: Bye Bye Birdie (IRE) (Oasis Dream (GB)

Trainer: Anthony & Sam Freedman (Mornington)     Jockey: Damien Oliver 53.5kg      Barrier:3
Record: 10:5-1-0     Prizemoney:$360,841    1st Up: 4:1-0-0    2nd Up: 2:1-1-0     

Rick says...

Won the Group 2 Herbert Power over 2400M, then did a bit of work to find the lead from the wide gate in the Caulfield Cup.

Didn’t finish off so if ridden with a sit on this occasion, I’m prepared to put him into the multiples at the long price. 

 

8. OCEAN BILLY (NZ)

6 year old chestnut gelding (5-10-2015) Sire: Ocean Park (NZ) Dam: Cool Storm (NZ)

Trainer: Chris Waller (Flemington)     Jockey: Damien Thornton 53.5kg      Barrier:13
Record: 25:7-1-1     Prizemoney:$547,720    1st Up: 5:0-1-0    2nd Up: 5:3-0-0 

Rick says...

Auckland Cup winner over this distance though hasn’t really troubled the scorers over here.

Can’t see him getting near these.

 

9. SELINO (GB)

6 year old bay gelding (5-5-2016) Sire: Champs Elysees (GB) Dam: Air Kiss (GB) 

Trainer: Chris Waller (Flemington)     Jockey: Ron Stewart 53.5kg      Barrier:24
Record: 20:3-5-2     Prizemoney:$1,481,470    1st Up: 4:0-2-0    2nd Up: 4:0-1-0    

Rick says...

Sydney Cup winner over this trip, who’s best run this prep was fourth in the Bart Cummings over 2520M.

He will stay the distance, though won’t have the necessary acceleration to put him in the finish.

 

10. JOHNNY GET ANGRY (NZ)

4 year old bay gelding (9-11-2017) Sire: Tavistock (NZ) Dam: Luminova (NZ) 
 

Trainer: Denis Pagan (Flemington)     Jockey: Lachlan King 53kg (a)      Barrier:22
Record: 11:1-1-2     Prizemoney:$1,268,675    1st Up: 2:0-0-0    2nd Up: 2:0-0-1   

Rick says...

Was a Cinderella story last Spring carnival, winning the Victoria Derby for former AFL dual premiership coach Denis Pagan.

He’s receiving publicity for the wrong reasons this year, with Glen Boss stating Johnny shouldn’t be in the field because of his sub-standard performances.

I’ve felt all along he was being trained for one race only this prep, and that’s The Cup.

Expect a much better run this time. 

 

11. KNIGHTS ORDER (IRE)

7 year old bay or brown gelding (5-5-2015) Sire: So You Think (NZ) Dam: Lamanka Lass (USA) 
 

Trainer: Gai Waterhouse & Adrian Bott (Flemington)     Jockey: Daniel Stackhouse 53kg      Barrier:9
Record: 21:7-0-2     Prizemoney:$473,501    1st Up: 5:0-0-0    2nd Up: 5:2-0-0    

Rick says...

Led all the way to win this year’s Brisbane Cup and should pilot the field again here.

Disappointing in the Geelong Cup and Hotham Handicap at his last couple, so I can’t have him.

 

12. PERSAN

5 year old brown gelding (22-9-2016) Sire: Pierro Dam: Ofcourseican (Mossman)

Trainer: Ciaron Maher & David Eustace (Caulfield)     Jockey: Luke Currie 53kg      Barrier:11
Record: 27:7-5-3     Prizemoney:$1,404,721    1st Up: 5:1-0-2    2nd Up: 5:1-1-0  

Rick says...

Is a consistent performer at any level and was only 2.45 lengths fifth, in last years Melbourne Cup, where he carried 51kgs.

Goes up 2kgsthis year but is a top four hope.

 

13. CARIF

6 year old brown gelding (13-9-2015) Sire: So You Think (NZ) Dam: Norzita (NZ)

Trainer: Peter & Paul Snowden (Flemington)     Jockey: Blaike McDougall 52.5kg      Barrier: 8
Record: 37:3-8-1     Prizemoney: $730,285    1st Up: 7:0-0-0    2nd Up: 7:1-0-1

Rick says...

Performs better over these longer trips though hasn’t got what’s required to be competitive here.

 

14. MASTER OF WINE (GER)

7 year old bay gelding (13-4-2015) Sire: Maxios (GB) Dam: Magma (GER)

Trainer: Michael, Wayne & John Hawkes (Flemington)     Jockey: Fred Kersley 52.5kg      Barrier:6
Record: 28:5-5-4     Prizemoney:$900,309    1st Up: 8:2-2-1    2nd Up: 8:1-1-1    

Rick says...

Had big wraps on him last year, though hasn’t reached the heights that were expected of him.

Is a distance query for mine.

 

15. PONDUS (GB)

6 year old bay gelding (8-2-2016) Sire: Sea The Moon (GER) Dam: Diablerette (GB) 

Trainer: Robert Hickmont (Mount Macedon)     Jockey: Rachel King 52.5kg      Barrier:1
Record: 19:3-7-1     Prizemoney:$336,109   1st Up: 5:0-2-0     2nd Up: 5:2-2-0   

Rick says..

Hasn’t produced a win in Australia in 4 attempts.

From the Lloyd Williams Mount Macedon stable who know what it takes to win a cup.

Not this year.

 

16. GRAND PROMENADE (GB)

6 year old bay gelding (1-3-2016) Sire: Champs Elysees (GB) Dam: Zacchera (GB)

Trainer: Ciaron Maher & David Eustace (Caulfield)     Jockey: Kerrin McEvoy 52kg      Barrier:21
Record: 19:8-4-2     Prizemoney:$1,009,800    1st Up: 3:0-1-1    2nd Up: 3:0-1-1     

Rick says..

This bloke doesn’t put a foot wrong!

 His jockey Kerrin McEvoy has won three Melbourne Cups.

He ran second in the Andrew Ramsden here over 2800M carrying 58.5 kgs and gets in here with 52 kilos.

If there was to be an upset, he could be the one.

 

17. MIAMI BOUND (NZ)

5 year old bay mare (7-11-2016) Sire: Reliable Man (GB) Dam: Arapaho Miss

Trainer: Danny O'Brien (Flemington)     Jockey: Patrick Moloney 52kg      Barrier:17
Record: 26:5-0-5     Prizemoney:$1,672,200    1st Up: 6:1-0-1    2nd Up: 5:1-0-0    

Rick says..

Has placed a couple of times over the staying trips though is not going well enough.

18. PORT GUILLAUME (FR)

5  year old bay gelding (29-3-2017) Sire: Le Havre (IRE) Dam: Keira (FR)

Trainer: Ben & JD Hayes (Flemington)     Jockey: Harry Coffey 52kg      Barrier:23
Record: 10:4-0-0     Prizemoney:$308,688    1st Up: 3:2-0-0    2nd Up: 3:1-0-0     

Rick says..

Won the Group 2 Prix Hocquart over 2500M last year.

Not going well enough.

 

19. SHE’S IDEEL

6 year old bay mare (5-10-2015) Sire: Dundeel (NZ) Dam: Ana’s Mail 

Trainer: Bjorn Baker (Warwick Farm)     Jockey: Craig Newitt 52kg      Barrier:20
Record: 25:6-6-5     Prizemoney:$1,101,075    1st Up: 5:0-2-2    2nd Up: 5:0-2-1 Rick says..

Rick says..

Finished off OK in the Caulfield Cup.

Unsure about the 3200M.

 

20. FUTURE SCORE (IRE)

5  year old bay gelding (29-3-2017) Sire: Le Havre (IRE) Dam: Keira (FR)

Trainer: Ben & JD Hayes (Flemington)     Jockey: Harry Coffey 52kg      Barrier:23
Record: 10:4-0-0     Prizemoney:$308,688    1st Up: 3:2-0-0    2nd Up: 3:1-0-0     

Rick says..

The listed Cranbourne Cup is his biggest success here so he won’t be troubling this field.

 

21. TRALEE ROSE (NZ)

5 year old bay mare (13-10-2016) Sire: Tavistock (NZ) Dam: Star of Tralee

Trainer: Symon Wilde (Warrnambool)     Jockey: Dean Holland 51kg      Barrier:12
Record: 15:6-4-2     Prizemoney:$744,725    1st Up: 3:1-0-1    2nd Up: 3:1-1-1    Rick says..

Rick says..

Loved the way she attacked the line in the Geelong Cup.

She has Zabeel in her bloodlines which suggests she will get the trip even though her Adelaide Cup run was below par.

I things she can push for the exacta position and run the race of a lifetime.

 

22. FLOATING ARTIST (GB)

6 year old bay or brown gelding (29-2-2016) Sire: Nathaniel (IRE) Dam: Miss Kenton (IRE)

Trainer: Ciaron Maher & David Eustace (Caulfield)     Jockey: Teodore Nugent 50kg (a)      Barrier:10
Record: 16:5-2-1     Prizemoney:$479,018    1st Up: 6:2-0-0    2nd Up: 5:1-1-0

Rick says..

He ran a bottler in the Moonee Valley Cup, a race that has produced Melbourne Cup winners.

He is one I took in early doubles, so I will be silently cheering.

Definite lightweight hope.

 

23. GREAT HOUSE (IRE)

5 year old bay gelding (28-12-2016) Sire: Galileo (IRE) Dam: Anja (IRE)

Trainer: Chris Waller (Flemington)     Jockey: Michael Dee 50kg      Barrier:7
Record: 15:5-2-3     Prizemoney:$694,290    1st Up: 3:1-1-1    2nd Up: 3:2-0-1   

Rick says..

Won the Hotham Handicap on Saturday however it was an inferior edition this year.

Top 10 chance given the low weight.

 

24. SIR LUCAN (IRE)

4 year old bay horse (24-2-2018) Sire: Camelot (GB) Dam: Sparrow (IRE)

Trainer: Gai Waterhouse & Adrian Bott (Flemington)     Jockey: Glen Boss 50kg      Barrier:18
Record: 8:2-1-0     Prizemoney:$152,926    1st Up: 4:0-1-0    2nd Up: 3:2-0-0   

Rick says..

Northern Hemisphere youngster who is with the Waterhouse/ Bott stable.

An unknown at this level so may be one to throw into your exotics.

 

History says

Horses need to be able to stay the journey and have a turn of foot over the final 300 metres. Those who have won at their last start have a great winning record in the Cup

Lightweights have an advantage over the 3200M.

 

Speed

Knights Order should take up the running with Twilight Payment and Delphi tucking in behind him.

Grand Promenade will come across from the outside draw and try to find some cover.

 

Melbourne Cup Tips

1. Incentivise
2. Tralee Rose
3. Floating Artist
4. Spanish Mission

Best roughie: Grand Promenade