Melbourne Cup / Editor / 28 October 2009 / Leave a comment Bet Now View Market

With the Melbourne Cup less than a week away, Brad Thompson assesses the main chances to take out Australia's most famous horse race - and it appears the local horses hold all the aces this year.

The local contingent

The lightly-raced five-year-old Alcopop has rocketed into equal favouritism after annihilating his rivals in consecutive victories in Melbourne. Young South Australian-based trainer Jake Stephens combines with fellow crow-eater, jockey Domenic Tourneur in a bid to emulate the feat of Alcopop's father Jeune, who won the Cup in 1994.

Last year's winner Viewed has been racing in consistent fashion in 2009, leading to a resounding victory in the Caulfield Cup. Trained by the undisputed "Cups King" Bart Cummings, Viewed is seeking to become only the second horse to carry 58 kilos to victory in the two mile test.

The last horse to achieve such a remarkable feat was the great Makybe Diva. While Viewed can't yet be mentioned in the same breath as Australia's greatest mare, he is trained by the master, so has to be given an almighty chance.

Cummings has another two definite starters in the race, the Toorak Handicap winner Allez Wonder and the AJC Derby winner Roman Emperor, who fought on gallantly in the Caulfield Cup when second behind Viewed.

Three other Cummings horses, Think Money, Dandaad and Naval Escort remain in Cups contention, but each will have to win a race on Derby Day to confirm a start in Tuesday's big one.

Darren Weir-trained Leica Ding has long been touted a Melbourne Cup fancy, and gets his chance following an impressive win in the Geelong Cup. The Group 3 lead-up has proven a strong form race with last year's winner Bauer going on to finish a nose second to Viewed in the Melbourne Cup.

One-time Cup favourite, Vigor is far from certain to gain a place in the final field. The Danny O'Brien-trained five-year-old will sweat on final declarations to determine whether he gains a start after his third in the Caulfield Cup.

Also under the guidance of O'Brien is the 2007 Caulfield Cup winner Master O'Reilly. The seven-year-old has produced a string of encouraging performances this preparation following a luckless fourth in last year's Cup. Importantly, he'll relish the wide open spaces of Flemington.

Leviathan owner Lloyd Williams has pinpointed this year's Cup for 2007 winner Efficient.  If not for injury last year, the great son of Zabeel could well have been following in the footsteps of champion Makybe Diva in search of a third successive Melbourne Cup. The grey has to be rated a very good chance after his decisive Turnbull Stakes win.

Another possible Cup runner owned by Williams is C'est La Guerre, who's been considered a genuine chance since finishing strongly for fourth in last year's race. Keep him safe despite his recent runs, because he's a definite chance in the multiples. The other Williams horse, Zipping produced a stunning finishing burst in last week's Cox Plate, and must come into consideration if he runs.

One of few four-year-olds contesting this year's Cup is the Mark Kavanagh-trained Shocking. If the from around Alcopop stands up, he will be around the mark.

The International Runners

Six are left in the mix: Luca Cumani's pair Basaltico and Cima De Triomphe, Godolphin's Crime Scene and Kirklees, Herman Brown's Mourilyan and the Ian Williams-trained Munsef.

UK-based Cumani is looking to go one better than recent years, following consecutive second placings with Purple Moon in 2007 and Bauer last year. Cima De Triomphe's form around the world's best racehorse, Sea The Stars gives him a chance despite his failure in the Caulfield Cup. On face value, Basaltico's initial run on Australian shores was disappointing, but a replay of his seventh placing in the Geelong Cup reveals a run worthy of some merit.

Champion UK hoop Frankie Dettori is rumoured to be coming over to ride Group 1 winner Kirklees for the Godolphin stable. The horse produced an even effort in his maiden Australian outing finishing 7th behind Viewed in the Caulfield Cup. Kerrin McEvoy is expected to jump aboard Crime Scene for his Cup assault following his close-up 6th in the Geelong Cup.

The controversial running of five-year-old Mourilyan has generated interesting debate, but not for his galloping prowess.  The horse is owned by the Chechnyan President, Ramzan Kadyrov who's been linked to human rights abuses.

Victoria's leading jockey Damien Oliver has taken the ride on English import Warringah for Chris Waller. The four-year-old is arguably the most promising of the international brigade after a gallant performance in Engand's Ebor Handicap where he carried topweight.

He comes into the Melbourne Cup with a good chance of his favoured firm ground along with a 10-kilogram weight drop. He's flying well under the radar of punters.

David Hayes is looking to post a victory with the imported Changingoftheguard. The three-year-old's training schedule has been hampered by a foot abscess, which makes it difficult to tip him as a genuine chance.

The New Zealanders

Seven New Zealanders, Daffodil, Harris Tweed, Spin Around, Gallions Reach, Capecover, Six O'Clock News and Hoorang, were paid up for the Cup.  The main chance looks to be Daffodil, who ran on strongly for fourth behind Viewed in the Caulfield Cup.

Top 6
1. Leica Ding
2. Roman Emperor
3. Alcopop
4. Efficient
5. Viewed
6. Master O'Reilly

Best roughies
1. C'est La Guerre
2. Warringah
3. Shocking