a correction..disregard oliver as rider...wrong horse and race ( snow sky )

If it's a dry track they may as well hand the Cup to Fame Game's connections now, the only possible danger is Preferment, the **** horse turned in one of the best Melbourne cup trials I have seen today and yes it was a trial in a 3million dollar Caulfield Cup, that's how confident they are of getting the prize in the big one.

Fame Game (JPN) - had to be steadied (have it’s head pulled off and be stopped in it’s tracks) near the 500m when (allegedly) tightened for room between Hauraki and Grand Marshal (or perhaps it was the ghost of Phar Lap). When questioned regarding tactics adopted in particular from the 800m, rider Zac Purton explained that his mount normally races back in the field (when we are tanking) and that he had been given instructions to look for runs through the field (and to ignore them) rather than endeavouring to circumnavigate the field (win). He added that he had difficultly at various stages in the straight in obtaining clear running (because that was against instructions) and that once clear passing the 100m he was (happy that even though he was on the best horse that he had artfully butchered it and now was) riding his mount out hands and heels to the best of his (acting) ability. The trainer(accomplice) Mr Yoshitada Manukata confirmed the instructions (to throw the race) and when questioned further, he clarified that the horse performs (a tanking) best when ridden through (behind, under, backwards or preferably all of the above) the field rather than the alternative (which ran the risk of an unfortunate victory). Both parties were advised that the instructions (to tank) and subsequently the manner in which the horse was (not) ridden today, cast (no) doubt in the Stewards minds as to whether the horse was ridden to ensure that it was ridden in a manner that it obtained the best possible placing (in the weights scale of the Melbourne Cup) and that they would expect similar instructions to be adopted in this years Melbourne Cup (Though they highly doubt it, and will certainly be advising mates to load up on him)

very good but I basically said the same thing two comments earlier, that it was a 3million dollar trial, now that's arrogance.

Yep as I said no doubt it was treated like a 3million dollar barrier trial, you would hope for their sake that Melbourne doesn't turn on some of its worst weather as it can at this time of the year, otherwise it was bloody expensive barrier trial

lol fair enough.... it seems, like earlycrower, that the 3 minutes 14 seconds that he took to carry 58kg to victory in japan has impressed you a bit !!

All his runs in Japan were exactly like his run in the CC.  It seems to like to race this way just like connections said.  He drew barrier 1, what was it supposed to do? 

Apart from 1 win as a 3yo over 2000m it has never won at 2400m or less.  It won its last start in 2014 over 2500m by saving ground along the rail then weaving between runners to hit the front.  He would of won by more if it didn't run off the track a touch.

In it's last start in Japan the 3200m group1 race he raced midfield with cover.  Winner came from last and made a move with about a 1200m-1000m to go sit up outside the leaders.  Fame Game was shuffled back to worse than midfield.  At the top of the straight he checked off heels to take a run between horses.  Saw clear running with about 250m to go giving the winner about 4 lengths.  Hit the line hard but ran off the track and probably cost itself the win as margin was 1/4 length at the line.

Can see why it was early favourite as it's always hitting the line harder than anything in the race from group races of 2000m up to 3400m.  Only negative is he has shown a tendency to run off the track in the straight and "have a look around" when he hits the front.  He also may need a touch of luck in running with his preference to race with cover.

Very foolish comment saying that about a mare thats just turned 4

And, of course Fame Game is the one, any other race it would be 6/4 wouldn't it

Besides that, Derby Day will be much more thrilling. 

Drop off Terravista mate it was woeful first up and is not the same horse currently, coincidentally just like so many of Joe Pride's horses which suddenly can't lift their legs this season, make of that what you will, think you know what I am talking about.

fair enough  still think a 1400m like that Magic Millions race is his for the taking or even the Orr early in the autumn would be ideal. Still, just had a quick look at the winterbottom nom's some nice horses entered but not totally beyond him, if he was my horse though I would be watching our track like a hawk and if there's any more problems there would be no way I would risk him but hey that's just me.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AJ8vWgNXUYw

Absolutely bucketing down in Melb and set to continue for a few days

cheers Rhino .. others will know better about The Offer than me ... but at the odds its money for jam either way


now Aiden O'Brien scratched and didn't bring one of his main Cup hopes

cause he read somewhere the tracks here would be too hard

luck 'o the irish I guess

maybe aiden's others are swimmers .. they should be used to it

No rain sunday. Expecting 2 mil monday.. via weather channel

It is hard to get away from the thought that this is one heck of a great Cup field!!

Think Criterion will love the 3200m and look the winner at least at some part of the straight.  Hoping the right part.

Statistics

4 of past 5 winners - 6yo's

4 of past 5 winners - drawn Barrier 10 or wider


5 of past 5 winners carried less 56.5kg, (4 of past 5 winners 55kg or less)

5 of past 5 winners- lead up run of 2000m or further in Australia

anyone with Foxtel who missed the recent 1½ hours ... of all of bart's 12 cups .. there were plenty of fascinating background stories behind each horses wins ... well its on again after midnight for recording .. if you missed it .. def worth a watch