6. WITHOUT A FIGHT
IRELAND Trainer: Simon & Ed Crisford Jockey: William Buick Weight: 55.5kg Barrier: 18
Has raced consistently throughout his career with seven wins and seven placings in just 17 starts. Won a couple of minor stakes races before running second in England in September.
One of the chances with top UK jockey William
Buick riding.
14. DAQIANSWEET JUNIOR
NZ Trainer: Phillip Stokes Jockey: Daniel Moor Weight: 53kg Barrier: 13 Qualified for the Melbourne Cup with his comfortable win in the Adelaide Cup in March before he ran a good third in the Sydney Cup at Group 1 level. Those runs show he runs well over 3200m and his recent form is better than it looks on paper. Could surprise.
22. HIGH EMOCEAN
NZ Trainer: Ciaron Maher & David Eustace Jockey: Teo Nugent Weight: 50kg Barrier: 8 Scraped into the Melbourne Cup field via the Bendigo Cup. She was unlucky in the Bart Cummings and won well at Flemington before that. She’s very fit and not hopeless if the track is wet.
7. CAMORRA
Trainer: Ben & JD Hayes Jockey: Ben Melham Weight: 55kg Barrier: 17
Australian interests bought him to tackle the Melbourne Cup after a strong win in the Curragh Cup in June. He was beaten out of sight in the Irish St Leger in September but the wet track was blamed for that performance. Needs firm footing to show his best.
15. GRAND PROMENADE
GB Trainer: Ciaron Maher & David Eustace Jockey: Harry Coffey Weight: 53kg Barrier: 1 Was beaten 12 lengths when sixth in last year’s Melbourne Cup and he hasn’t threatened in any of his four runs since. He was beaten more than 11 lengths in the Moonee Valley Cup last start and appears likely to struggle again.
23. INTERPRETATION
IRELAND Trainer: Ciaron Maher & David Eustace Jockey: Craig Newitt Weight: 50kg Barrier: 6 Had to rely on getting into the Melbourne Cup via the Archer Stakes but the great race has always been his aim. He was beaten just over two lengths in a Group 2 race over 3000m in France last year and looked like he was looking for that distance in the Geelong Cup. The 50kg helps.
8. DEAUVILLE LEGEND
IRELAND Trainer: James Ferguson Jockey: Kerrin McEvoy Weight: 55kg Barrier: 9 He’s only had seven starts but has shown he is a stayer of real class. He fought on to win at Group 3 level two starts back and comfortably beat Cox Plate third placegetter El Bodegon last start in England. Can give Kerrin McEvoy a fourth Melbourne Cup.
16. ARAPAHO
FRANCE Trainer: Bjorn Baker Jockey: Rachel King Weight: 52.5kg Barrier: 19 The Sydney stayer continues to race well during a long campaign that has stretched from Sydney to Grafton and the Sunshine Coast. He wasn’t far away in the Metropolitan Handicap and ATC St Leger but will need to find something more to win a Melbourne Cup.
24. REALM OF FLOWERS
Trainer: Anthony & Sam Freedman Jockey: Damien Thornton Weight: 50kg Barrier: 5 She got into the Melbourne Cup via the Archer Stakes on Derby Day but her form in Sydney gives her a rough chance. She was narrowly beaten in the Metropolitan Handicap and has gone well at 3200m. She’ll handle the distance and only has 50kg.