All bets on a fine day for Melbourne Cup
‘‘THE racing gods are going to sprinkle kindness on us and we’re going to have sunshine all day.’’
Otago Racing general manager Rebecca Adlam refuses to believe it will rain for today’s Melbourne Cup Day at Wingatui, despite the MetService’s official forecast.
Occasional rain is expected from late morning, clearing this evening, but temperatures are expected to be in the early 20s.
Ms Adlam said the event was expected to draw a bigger crowd than previous years.
‘‘People are excited to be coming out.
‘‘We’re hoping to have a good walkup crowd.’’
This year’s event had received tremendous support from local businesses, she said.
‘‘There are two tent villages and they’ve grown significantly this year.’’
Gates open at 10.30am and there will be nine races throughout the day.
Racing was only part of the action, she said.
One of the most popular events was the Fashion in the Field competition.
This year’s winner would be flown to Auckland to represent Otago on Derby Day at Ellerslie Racecourse, next February.
A Melbourne Cup Day event is also being held at Dunedin’s Forbury Park Raceway, from noon until 6pm.
Gravity Events owner David Isaacs has set up a marquee in front of the grandstand where a lineup of DJs will perform; another lineup of acoustic bands will perform in the grandstand; and a large screen will display the Melbourne Cup races.
Police alcohol harm prevention officer Sergeant Ian Paulin, of Dunedin, said police would be present at both events, but he was not expecting any issues.
MELBOURNE Cupwinning rider Kerrin McEvoy will team with champion New Zealandborn trainer Chris Waller today to try to beat the horse he rode to win Australasia’s greatest race last year.
McEvoy will attempt to hand Waller the Melbourne Cup, the only glaring omission from the star trainer’s resume, when he rides Finche in the $A7.75 million ($NZ8.3 million) Flemington feature at 5pm.
To do it, the twotime winner must get Finche to master Cross Counter, the lightly raced British stayer who powered home to win the race last year.
McEvoy has switched camps, and Norwegianborn William Buick is booked to ride last year’s winner.
Moving into the corner of the biggest star in Australasia’s training ranks was an easy decision, Sydneybased McEvoy said.
‘‘Chris Waller is going to win it one year, I’m sure, and it could be this year,’’ McEvoy told Australian media.
‘‘These guys are star trainers so you’ve got to be in their camp when you think it’s right.
‘‘I think Finche can run a great race for everyone.’’
McEvoy has already made dreams come true for another New Zealandborn trainer. He enabled transtasman trainer Mike Moroney to win the race with Brew in 2000.
Finche had done everything right in his preparation, McEvoy, who his seeking his fourth win in the race, said.
‘‘He showed he’s in fine fettle the way he finished off his work, so he can run a great race, I reckon.
‘‘He’s come through a nice effort in the race last year and he has shown this preparation that he’s in good form.’’
The Frenchbred Finche ran fourth behind Cross Counter in last year’s cup after being bought by Waller.
Last year, Cross Counter carried the light weight of 51kg. Today the Charlie Applebytrained galloper will carry 57.5kg, 3.5kg more than Finche (54kg).
McEvoy hopes that is enough for Finche to turn the tables on last year’s winner.
‘‘He’s that little bit older now and he’s acclimatised to our conditions,’’ McEvoy said.
There is little apprehension in the Appleby camp about their horse’s weight rise.
The stable maintains Cross Counter has returned a bigger and stronger prospect.
‘‘The weight has gone up a lot from last year, but of the horses really flourished since we’ve come to Australia so we’re happy.
Cross Counter is one of 10 international contenders from outside Australasia.
Among them is Japanese galloper Mer De Glace, who has a stablemate, Lys Gracieux, to win the Cox Plate.
Lane also won the Golden Slipper in March.
The prospect of such a special treble was ‘‘not going to change how I ride the horse, it’s not going to change how the horse is going
Mer De Glace and Finche were rated the $7.50 equal favourites in New Zealand betting yesterday.
New Zealand hopes will be carried by the Southland bredandowned The Chosen One, who has drawn barrier 18 in the field of 24 starters.
The 4yrold entire is trained at Cambridge by Murray Baker and Andrew Forsman, and won the Herbert Power Stakes (2400m) three starts ago. He will be ridden by Tim Clark.
Cross Counter was rated the $13 fifthfavourite behind Constantinople ($9) and Vow And Declare ($12).