COUNTDOWN TO THE MELBOURNE CUP 2023

Flemington Racecourse - 7th November 2023

With Cox Plate Day upon us, it means there is little over ten days till the race that stops the nation, the Melbourne Cup. The grueling 3200m test run on the first Tuesday of November promises to be another intriguing contest in 2023, with the international raiders back to take on our home-grown stayers. We take a look at the key chances this year leading up to the race and any early market movers with BlueBet.

VAUBAN (Best $11 – Currently $4.50)

The Willie Mullins trained Vauban currently holds favoritism for this year’s Melbourne Cup. The five-year-old Irish gelding has raced the majority of his career as a hurdler, scoring at Group 1 level over the jumps before a scintillating win at this year’s Royal Ascot carnival on the flat. He then went to the Group 3 Ballyroan Stakes over the Mile and a half and again won in fine style. Fits the profile of lightly raced Europeans who have had success in the race in recent times. We offered a best price of $11 at BlueBet post his Royal Ascot win and he’s been steadily backed since then. Went $6 when confirmed and now $4.50. Our worst way at BlueBet and the benchmark in the mind of the punters in this year’s race.

GOLD TRIP (Best $15 – Currently $5)

Last year’s winner continues to race in fantastic form with a scintillating win in this year’s Turnbull Stakes before a brave third in the Caufield Cup when jumping favourite. Been solid in betting all the way through having opened $15 and now sitting on the second line at $5 as the best hope of the locally trained runners. Lines up in the Cox Plate this weekend so we’ll know more after Saturday but looks right on track again for the two miles. Will have to carry the weight again but he did so as top weight last year, so must be right in the race.

WITHOUT A FIGHT (Best $15 – Currently $7)

Caulfield Cup winner who’s been fantastic in two runs back this prep for the Freedman camp. Came out for this race last year when starting a solid $11. Was caught wide for much of the early part and dropped right out in the straight. Certainly, recaptured his form in the Winter in Qld and looks a live Cup hope this year. Question marks on him at the two miles remain but he’s been solidly supported since the Caulfield Cup triumph and currently sites on the third line at $7.

SOULCOMBE (Best $26 – Currently $8.50)

Installed an early Cup favourite after bursting onto the scene in Cup week last year winning the Group 3 Queen’s Cup in good style. Got back out to $26 after an indifferent preparation in the Autumn when failing to threaten in Sydney before a better run in the Roy Higgins. Fantastic first up this time in and then subsequently very good in the Turnbull and Caulfield Cup, giving them a big start after missing the jump. Looks right on track for a Melbourne Cup and back to Flemington is a serious tick for him.

Other Notable Cup Movers

• LASTOCHKA $51-$17

• ASHRUN $101-$34

• AMADE $201-$51