Red Cadeaux faces huge task from barrier 18 in 2012 Melbourne Cup

Jockey Michael Rodd has set himself and Red Cadeaux a huge task to reverse last year’s Melbourne Cup result when the jockey selected barrier eighteen for the 2012 Group 1 $6m Emirates Melbourne Cup (3200m) at Flemington on Tuesday.

Rodd was beaten last year by the shortest margin ever in the Melbourne Cup when Red Cadeaux and Dunaden went across the line together with the French stayer getting the nod from the judge and Rodd was given the job of selecting his barrier at the official barrier draw function at Flemington today.

But trainer Ed Dunlop was not perturbed by the wide barrier and is looking forward to the rematch.

“I didn’t want to be twenty-four and I didn’t want to be one. Michael drew last year seventeen, we’re eighteen this year so I’m happy with that,” Dunlop said.

Last year’s winner Dunaden has also drawn wide at sixteen and is up to 59kg after carrying 54.5kg to victory twelve months ago but retains his spot as the second pick in the betting at $7.

Americain, also looking for a second Melbourne Cup win after claiming victory two years ago, has drawn reasonably at twelve and remains the favourite at $5 with top Melbourne jockey Damien Oliver to ride.

Top International jockey Frankie Dettori will be hoping to go out a winner for the Godolphin stable on Cavalryman who fared well in the barrier drawn coming up with gate 6.

Dettori has been the number one rider for the huge racing identity for the last eighteen years but he will be riding freelance after the Melbourne Cup when his riding contract for the Godolphin stable was not renewed.

Premier Victorian trainer Peter Moody’s hopes of winning his first Melbourne Cup were dampened when his two runners Lights Of Heaven and Voila Ici both came up with wide gates.

Italian import Voila Ici was the best of the Moody runners coming up with barrier thirteen while his Oaks winning mare Lights Of Heaven come up with barrier seventeen.

Irish trainer Dermot Weld, who trained 1993 Melbourne Cup winner Vintage Crop, is represented with Galileo’s Choice who came up with gate eleven with top Irish jockey Patrick Smullen to ride.

Mark Weld, deputising for the stable was happy with the barrier and would appreciate some rain to soften up the track for Tuesday afternoon.

“He’s drawn barrier eleven which is very pleasing, to be next door to Americain is a very good place to be,” Weld said.

“The two horses are actually stabled beside each other in the quarantine barn in Werribee and he’s well, we’re happy with him, very much like to see the rain come on Tuesday morning. A couple of hours rain on Tuesday morning will be a big help.”

Americain ($5) and Dunaden ($7) head the market with Mount Athos from gate 8 the next at $8.50 with Red Cadeaux at $10.

The Team Hawkes trained Maluckyday from barrier nine is the best of the local runners at $13 with Galileo’s Choice at $17 and Cavalryman at $41.

Lights Of Heaven ($31) and Voila Ici ($151) are at big odds to win the Melbourne Cup for the first time for the Moody stable.

About The Author

Mark Mazzaglia

Mark is a passionate journalist with a life-time involvement in the racing industry. He spent many years as an analyst and form expert at the Courier Mail and also has hands-on experience working with some of Queensland’s top trainers.