Melbourne Cup / Kristen Manning / 02 November 2009 / Leave a comment Bet Now View Market

There has been no stopping the Bart Cummings stable this spring and his good fortune looks set to continue at Flemington this week - the master trainer due to saddle up the favourite in that famous race on that famous first Tuesday in November, writes Kristen Manning.

Viewed is the horse, this time 12 months ago winner of the same race and in a style more impressive than his bare margin suggests.

Holding off a challenge from a game Bauer, Viewed dug deep to win by a nose last year but he did make his run quite a fair way out - sprinting clear but not coming back to the field (the gap to third a two length one).

Of course he has more weight this year but he has earned it. He is flying compared to 12 months ago - this campaign winning the Caulfield Cup, last year finishing tenth. This preparation running a gallant third in a slowly run Mackinnon (a race which was tough for back markers), last year running last.

Physically Viewed has come ahead in leaps and bounds in 12 months. Last year he looked good, but still a little backward - the Scenic breed known for improving considerably as they mature. This year he stands out - on Caulfield Cup day he was the eye-catcher in the yard and on Saturday his coat was gleaming.

We won't get the odds on offer last year - hard to believe looking back that he as 40-1 - but he is still value, the favourite more often than not a generous price in the Melbourne Cup.

Amongst the main dangers to Viewed is his stablemate Roman Emperor, second to him in the Caulfield Cup. He has a 1kg advantage but the margin of 2.3 lengths was considerable. However being a son of Montjeu, the bay will relish the two miles and Bart doesn't mind his stayers drawing outside gates - plenty of galloping room.

Not too far behind Viewed in the Mackinnon on Saturday was Master O'Reilly. He hasn't won since his 2007 Caulfield Cup victory but he has run some great races and his coat has only just started to shine - the seven-year-old looking the best he has looked this preparation. He was very good without much luck in this race last year and is a must for multiples.

The main challenger to Viewed in the market is Alcopop who has come from nowhere - on Cup Day last year winning a 1200m maiden at Morphettville. Bred for two miles (his sire Jeune and second dam sire At Talaq both Melbourne Cup winners), he was most impressive winning the Herbert Power Stakes - leaving in his wake subsequent runaway Lexus Stakes winner Shocking.

That horse, who looked so good railing strongly on Saturday, meets Alcopop only a half kilo better at the weights but there is no doubt that he has improved in the last couple of weeks.

Hard to line up the internationals this year as they just don't seem to be a very strong bunch. A couple have never won at stakes level and for me it is a case of prefer to see this year. Unless one really stands out in the mounting yard - be sure to tune in to the coverage!

There is usually a roughie in the placings in the Melbourne Cup. So who will be the value for the multiples this year? Kibbutz hasn't won since his Derby victory two years ago but he looked particularly well at Moonee Valley where he ran a much improved race. Newport finished on well in the Mackinnon on Saturday and it is only a matter of time till his sire Encosta de Lago adds a Melbourne Cup to his ever increasing list of achievements.

Allez Wonder can't be dismissed purely as she is trained by Bart and gate 13 should ser her settle further back than she did in the Caulfield Cup - which will suit her. Same goes for Daffodil although 21 is an extreme gate!

Leica Ding is another roughie with an each-way chance. She has always screamed stayer and is one of the few here proven at a trip, ableit in easier grade. She was very strong at the end of the Geelong Cup but it must be admitted that the form from that race was not spectacular on Saturday. She tries hard though and will be finishing on well.

In summary it is pretty hard to go past Viewed, there is just so much in his favour. Be sure to put on a Bart Cummings exacta and trifecta - it will pay unders should it get up but you'll feel a part of history! Of course the Cup is the sort of race to have more than one bet in, so each-way Master O'Reilly and Leica Ding also. Best of luck!

Tags: Bart Cummings, Melbourne Cup, Viewed