GAI PICKS ALMANDIN
Leading trainer says last year’s Cup winner horse to beat
THE race that stops the nation will be run in front of 100,000 shivering racegoers huddled under umbrellas in Melbourne today and in front of a global TV audience of more than 5 million people.
Model Paris Jackson met the favourite Marmelo yesterday, with bookies paying a big $8 for the galloper to beat a wide open field with Winx’s regular jockey, Hugh Bowman, in the saddle.
Bookmaker Robbie Waterhouse said “$8 is a big price” for the favourite.
However, his wife, NSW legendary trainer Gai Waterhouse, believes last year’s Cup winner Almandin is the horse to beat.
“Lloyd Williams’s horse, Almandin holds the key,’’ Waterhouse said.
“Almandin is the class stayer of the race. He is well weighted for a horse that won the Melbourne Cup last year. He is the one we all have to beat.’’
Owner Lloyd Williams is chasing a record-breaking sixth win.
In the saddle will be Italian legend Frankie Dettori, who has won the Arc de Triomphe and 17 English classics but not the Cup, despite 15 attempts.
“I’m running out of years. I’ve got to make every chance count,” Dettori said.
Punters are expected to lay out a fortune with $90 million being splurged on the Cup with the TAB in NSW alone.
On the famous Flemington track the 23-strong field is almost half made up of foreign raiders lured by the $6 million prizemoney and carnival atmosphere.
Hugo Palmer is one of three trainers who will be trying to become the first Briton to win the Cup with Wall Of Fire.
“Obviously it would be thrilling to be the first, but I’d just love to win a Melbourne Cup,” Palmer said.
“I want to win it this year, but if I win it in 20 years’ time and I’m the 10th British trainer, it will be no less thrilling than being the first.”
Up against him for that title will be his former mentor Hughie Morrison, who has a strong chance with Marmelo, and Scotsman Iain Jardine, who saddles Nakeeta.
Morrison said the galloper’s owner wanted to put him into the Arc de Triomphe but that he felt the Melbourne Cup was the right race.
“He warrants being he said.
“He can quicken around a bend but the longer straight at Flemington will help.”
Kathy O’Hara is the only female jockey and is expected to attract the support of female punters as she attempts to match Michelle Payne’s here,” record-winning 2015 run.
“Michelle’s win did inspire me because it showed if there are things that you want, if you keep working hard you can achieve them,” O’Hara said.
All eyes will be on the track at 3pm today with one thought in their mind — who will be lifting the $200,000, threehandled Melbourne Cup aloft at the end of the 157th running of world’s richest two-mile race.