Melbourne Cup

I own a share in Raymond Tusk,it’s been touch and go whether or not he would make the cut or not.It now looks like he will get in as he’s at number 21of 24 runners some horses can still improve their ranking but unlikely 3 or more will do so final payment is on Saturday then the field is closed.It costs a small fortune to enter into this race especially when you factor in the costs of flying him out there.However the reports coming back from Australia are that he is in rude health and ready to run a big race.I believe we are the only true syndicate horse in the race Middlem Park Racing so it would be great to get a win or even a place for us enthusiastic amateur owners so to speak.hes one of the rank outsiders in a competitive race but he doesn’t know that

Backed Raymond in the Ebor and given a decent draw and a little bit of cut in the ground on Nov. 5th I rate him a serious contender. Good luck to you.

A lot of rain has hit the Flemington track & more forecast on Monday. Don't think soft ground will suit MD. Hoping track drys out & it misses any big, future rain. Difficult wide draw for Magic Wand.

#    Horse    Trainer    Jockey    Kg    Barrier
1    Cross Counter    C Appleby    J Doyle    57.5    5
2    Mer De Glace    H Shimizu    D Lane    56    2
3     Master of Reality    J O'Brien    F Dettori    55.5    1
4    Mirage Dancer    T Busuttin + N Young    B Melham    55.5    13
5    Southern France    C Maher + D Eustace    M Zahra    55.5    14
6     Hunting Horn    A O'Brien    TBA    55    11
7    Latrobe    J O'Brien    J McDonald    55    22
8    Mustajeer    K Lees    K Lees    55    6
9    Rostropovich    D + B Hayes + T Dabernig    D Dunn    55    12
10    Twilight Payment    J O'Brien    P Cosgrave    55    19
11    Finche    C Waller     K McEvoy    54    4
12    Prince of Arran    C Fellowes    M Walker    54    8
13    Raymond Tusk    R Hannon    J Spencer    54    3
14    Downdraft    J O'Brien    J Allen    53.5    15
15    Magic Wand    A O'Brien    TBA    53.5    24
16    Neufbosc    D + B Hayes +T Dabernig    L Nolen    53.5    23
17    Sound    M Moroney    J Winks    53.5    10
18    Surprise Baby     P Preusker    J Childs    53.5    20
19    Constantinople    D + B Hayes + T Dabernig    J Moreira    52.5    7
20    Il Paradiso    A O'Brien    W Lordan    52.5    17
21    Steel Prince    A Freedman    B Prebble    52.5    16
22    The Chosen One    M Baker + A Forsman    TBA    52    18
23    Vow and Declare    D O'Brien (AUS)    C Williams    52    21
24    Youngstar    C Waller    T Berry    52    9

No matter how hard I try, I just can't get away from MER DE GLACE. He absolutely bolted up from a bad draw in the Caulfield Cup, in only his 5th ever race and I'll be surprised if there's not more to come. Connections of CONSTANTINOPLE understandably fancy their chances after he was twice checked in the C.C., but imo the winner won with a ton in hand and a 2lb pull wont be enough to reverse the placings. The biggest danger for me is the weather as you wouldn't want soft ground when trying 2m for the 1st time.

Just back from my Portugese retreat in time to finalise a few bets on the big race. Betfair currently outlawed in Portugal. Wide open race I think and could back several but restricted myself to Master of Reality each way(10 places!!) and Finche each way(5 places),way better off at the weights with last years winner Cross Counter and ridden by Kerrin McEvoy one of my all time favourite jockeys.

Good luck.