3 minute read

Americain was allotted top-weight for the Melbourne Cup as Alain de-Royre Dupre's star bids to become the second horse already this century to record back-to-back victories in the Australian feature, after Makybe Diva took the race in 2003, 2004 and 2005..."

A number of challengers from the northern hemisphere are set to head Down Under for the Melbourne Cup at Flemington on November 1 with last season's winner Americain currently heading the weights...

Americain was allotted top-weight for the Melbourne Cup as Alain de-Royre Dupre's star bids to become the second horse already this century to record back-to-back victories in the Australian feature, after Makybe Diva took the race in 2003, 2004 and 2005. It looks as though he will have his work cut out, however, with the 9-02 he is set to carry in this year's renewal, and the six-year-old is currently 22.0 to retain his crown.

Saturday's Irish St Leger may have provided some helpful clues in regards to the Melbourne Cup, with Jukebox Jury 40.0, who dead-heated with Duncan, set to carry 9-0 for the Australian feature. He had Red Cadeaux 80.0 a length back in third in Saturday's Irish Classic, but that one is set to carry just 8-06 and looks potentially well treated in comparison.

Set to return to Australia once again this term is Drunken Sailor, who finished tenth in the Queen's Cup at Flemington last November. He is much improved this season, however, and his victory over the aforementioned Jukebox Jury in the Group 3 Glorious Stakes in July was close to his very best. He beat Jukebox Jury off level weights on that occasion and is set to carry just 8-07 in the Melbourne feature, some 7 lb less than that opponent. Drunken Sailor looks as though he could represent value at this stage, and is currently trading at 48.0.

The Ebor Handicap at York also could also prove a decisive pointer in terms of the British entries at this stage, with a number of the participants from that contest set to head Down Under in November.

Of them, Modun and Lost In The Moment, both set to carry 8-05, look interesting.

Modun has since run out the winner of the Group 3 September Stakes , whilst the latter was an unlucky second in the Goodwood Cup earlier on in the season. The test of stamina is likely to play into the hands of the Godolphin runner, but the 1m6f at York seemed to stretch Modun's stamina last time, and he may find it particularly difficult to make his mark over two miles.

Others to emerge as contenders from the Ebor include Saptapadi and Fox Hunt, set to carry 8-05 and 8-03 respectively, two who should relish the step back up in trip. Conditions didn't play to either's strengths last time, with Saptapadi inconvenienced by the steadily-run race and Fox Hunt hampered at a crucial stage, but there should be some improvement set to come from both.

Dermot Weld will be bidding for a third victory in this historic contest, having taken the race already with Vintage Crop in 1993 and Media Puzzle in 2002. and he saddles Galileo's Choice and Sense of Purpose this time around.

Galileo's Choice (8-04) was the impressive winner of the Group 3 Kilternan Stakes last time and is still lightly raced for his age. He has competed over fourteen furlongs already this season, when second behind Pittoni, but his style suggests that a victory over this sort of distance should be within his capabilities.

Sense of Purpose also holds solid claims in this season's renewal given her impressive performance over fourteen furlongs in the Challenge Stakes this year. She beat a useful field on that occasion, including the likes of Bob Le Beau and Fictional Account, and looked set to build upon that display before a disappointing performance last time out in the Group 2 Park Hill Stakes. Sense of Purpose is set to carry 8-02 in the Melbourne Cup and she is available to back at 330.0.

Melbourne Cup - Timeform Ratings for the top European contenders (weight-adjusted)

142 Drunken Sailor

141 Fox Hunt

140 Galileo's Choice

139 Sense of Purpose

135 Jukebox Jury