Dunlop Confident Fame Game Is No Melbourne Cup Certainty

Trainer Ed Dunlop is confident that his 2015 Melbourne Cup runners Trip To Paris and Red Cadeaux are no certainties in the $6 million event at Flemington on Tuesday.

Red Cadeaux is ready for an historic fifth tilt at the 2015 Melbourne Cup. Photo by: Ultimate Racing Photos

Red Cadeaux is ready for an historic fifth tilt at the 2015 Melbourne Cup. Photo by: Ultimate Racing Photos

Fame Game has been easily the best-backed runner in Melbourne Cup betting markets following his fast-finishing sixth in the Group 1 Caulfield Cup (2400m) at Caulfield on October 17 and he is not expected to start any longer next week.

Dunlop told RSN this morning that he was impressed with the Caulfield Cup run of Fame Game and he has a big opinion of the Japanese stayer, but he believes that the Tenno Sho placegetter is not across the line yet and can be beaten in the 2015 Melbourne Cup.

“Fame Game looks magnificently well, but he’s a colt so he’s bound to look well,” Dunlop said

“It was an eye-catching run, we all read a lot into those type of runs.

“He’s a very short-priced favourite, but he’s beatable and we’ll try and do that.”

Trip To Paris produced arguably an even better Caulfield Cup performance than Fame Game and Dunlop has been happy with the way that the Ascot Gold Cup winner has progress ahead of the Melbourne.

The Champs Elysees gelding completed his final piece of serious track work at the Werribee International Equine Centre this morning and Dunlop said that he will not do much more than canter before he runs in the Melbourne Cup.

“He did a little blow out this morning and that is all he is going to do,” Dunlop said.

“He is fit and well.

“He is in good form and he seems to have adapted very well to here.

“He will improve when he steps up in trip and I am not worried about Flemington.

“We are very happy and all is well.”

Red Cadeaux is now one of the most popular stayers in Australia and he is back for a fifth tilt at the Melbourne Cup after finishing second in 2011, eighth in 2012, second in 2013 and second again last year.

Dunlop believes that Red Cadeaux looks as good as ever and he is optimistic that the veteran gelding is ready to run another big race in the 2015 Melbourne Cup.

“The boys are very happy,” Dunlop said.

“He is a year older sadly, but he still has the enthusiasm and that is good enough for me.

“He is on target and we will just keep him in good condition up until the race.

“This is his sixth trip to Australia and that is a testament to my staff, the owner and to the horse.

“We have been very lucky to have him and I know that the whole of Australia have taken him to their hearts.”

Fame Game is currently available at 2015 Melbourne Cup odds of $4 with Ladbrokes and Trip To Paris ($8) is on the second line of betting, while Red Cadeaux is priced at $26 to record his maiden race win in Australia.

You can score the best Melbourne Cup odds with leading online bookmaker Ladbrokes.

 

About The Author

Thomas Hackett

Thomas is a passionate and opinionated racing journalist and punter who has been obsessed with horse racing since he backed Saintly to win the 1996 Melbourne Cup. An international racing enthusiast, he has his finger on the pulse of racing news not just from Australia but all around the world.