Melbourne Cup fancies eye soft track in Flemington rain
Steady rain in the build-up to the Melbourne Cup is expected to play into the hands of top contenders Half Yours and Al Riffa at Flemington.
Steady rain in the build-up to the Melbourne Cup is expected to play into the hands of top contenders Half Yours and Al Riffa at Flemington.
Track manager Liam O’Keeffe has predicted horses could be racing on a soft surface by Cup time, with conditions in the morning to determine whether the course is upgraded.
A rain band, stretching from Tasmania to the tip of the Northern Territory, was set to sweep east across six Australian jurisdictions from Monday into Tuesday, the Bureau of Meteorology said.
“With this band of rain, fuelled by that tropical moisture moving eastwards, it could bring a risk of storms to many areas,” senior meteorologist Angus Hines said.
Thunderstorms have been forecast from the tropical north to southern Australia, with inland parts of southern and central Queensland, inland parts of northern NSW, Sydney and southern NSW at risk of severe systems.
Between 30 to 50mm of rain could fall in southern Australia, as Victoria hosts the Melbourne Cup.
“That means the Melbourne Cup … could be interrupted by a shower or some cold winds on Tuesday,” Hines said.
You might like
The Bureau Of Meteorology has forecast a slight clearing before the 24-horse field jumps in the race that stops a nation at 3pm (AEDT).
Half Yours’ co-trainer Calvin McEvoy joked he would be doing a “rain dance”.
“Love it. Bring it on,” McEvoy said of the rain.
“He absolutely loves the wet, this horse.
“He’s been effective his last three runs on good threes but he’s much better on heavy ground.”
Half Yours is in the rare position of being an Australian-bred horse amongst the top of the market for the great race, against the usual tide of imported or visiting European stayers.
Despite the heavy foreign influence of recent years, two Australian-bred horses have won the race in the past six years, with Vow And Declare scoring as an $11 shot in 2019, and Knight’s Choice bringing a bolter’s victory last year at $91.
In-form jockey Mark Zahra needs to overcome the weight of history aboard the Joseph O’Brien-trained Irish stayer Al Riffa, with the topweight to carry 59kg out of barrier 19.
Stay informed, daily
Rain Lover won his second Cup in 1969 with 60.5kg and no horse has carried more than 58.5kg to triumph since then.
Despite having these hurdles to overcome, a tide of money forced Al Riffa into outright favouritism on Monday. This included one bet of $500,000 – to win $3.5 million — at the traditional Call of the Card function, which helped Al Riffa firm to $7 while Half Yours eased to $7.50.
Zahra believes a rain-affected track could help his chances with a “big, strong animal” who “just oozes class”.
“History’s against us but if anyone can do it, I think he can. I just wouldn’t like the track to be a slop,” Zahra told RSN on Monday.
“I think rain-affected suits him a lot but with 59kg on a bottomless track if it hoses down all day, that will make it tough for him.
“But heavy 8 range – soft 7 or heavy 8 range – would be perfect.
“I think he’s the best horse in the race by far and with the right ride I think he can win with 59kg.”
Master trainer Chris Waller will saddle five horses in the Cup field of 24, including leading fancies Valiant King ($8.50) and Buckaroo ($9), and isn’t concerned about the wet weather.
“The beauty of Flemington is it’s world-class track,” Waller said on Monday.
“Regardless of rain today, I don’t think it will affect racing tomorrow.
“It’s something special. We’ve seen rain before but it’s just the best surface to race on.”
-with AAP
