Don’t have time to read the full 2017 Melbourne Cup form guide?
Hartnell will carry the top weight in the 2017 Melbourne Cup. Photo by: Ultimate Racing Photos
We have analysed every horse in the 2017 Melbourne Cup field and in one sentence we have summed up their chances in ‘the race that stops a nation’ at Flemington this afternoon.
Hartnell
He started the race as favourite last year, but he isn’t going as well this year. There are still doubts over his ability to run out a strong 3200 metres.
Almandin
Almandin was outstanding in the JRA Trophy, but he failed to fire in The Bart Cummings. It takes a special horse to win the Melbourne Cup back-to-back.
Humidor
Humidor is the class horse in this field and he was nothing short of outstanding when second behind Winx in the Ladbrokes Cox Plate. If he can run out a strong 3200 metres he will be right in the finish.
Tiberian
Tiberian has flown under the radar since arriving in Australia, but he has won four of his past five starts and Australian Thoroughbred Bloodstock have a great record in the Melbourne Cup. He is the value runner.
Marmelo
Marmelo was excellent in the Caulfield Cup and his form in Europe has been nothing short of outstanding. He is the horse to beat in the 2017 Melbourne Cup.
Red Cardinal
He was the early favourite in Melbourne Cup betting with [ladbrokes], but he was beaten handily by Marmelo in the Prix Kergorlay. I have plenty of respect for the connections, but I am happy to take him on.
Johannes Vermeer
Johannes Vermeer has been excellent in his two race starts to date in Australia. The 3200 metres is the only real query.
Bondi Beach
This is his third attempt at the Melbourne Cup and he has never looked like winning one. He isn’t going well enough.
Max Dynamite
Max Dynamite has only had four race starts since he finished second behind Prince Of Penzance in the Melbourne Cup in 2015. It is impossible to get a read off his recent form.
Ventura Storm
Ventura Storm looked to be heading in the right direction, but he was poor in the Caulfield Cup and he came out of the race with an issue.
Who Shot Thebarman
Who Shot Thebarman has been scratched from the 2017 Melbourne Cup.
Wicklow Brave
Wicklow Brave failed to fire in the Melbourne Cup last year, but he was set a very difficult assignment by jockey Frankie Dettori. His run in the Caulfield Cup was better than it looks on paper and he can run better than his odds suggest.
Big Duke
Big Duke is one of the best local chances in the 2017 Melbourne Cup. He had excuses in the Moonee Valley Gold Cup and his form before that was excellent.
US Army Ranger
There was plenty of hype around US Army Ranger at the start of his career, but he hasn’t really gone on with the job. His recent form isn’t up to winning a Melbourne Cup.
Boom Time
Boom Time scored an upset win in the Caulfield Cup, but I think that will be his day in the sun. He is unlikely to become the first horse since Ethereal in 2001 to complete the Caulfield Cup/Melbourne Cup double.
Gallante
Gallante hasn’t looked like winning a race since he took out the 2016 Sydney Cup. He is the extreme outsider of the field for a reason.
Libran
Libran is racing well and he chased home Who Shot Thebarman in the Moonee Valley Gold Cup. He doesn’t have the class to win a Melbourne Cup, but he can run well.
Nakeeta
Nakeeta earnt a start in the Melbourne Cup with his win in the Ebor Handicap. Heartbreak City won that race last year before running second in the Melbourne Cup, but Nakeeta is not up to that level.
Single Gaze
Single Gaze could not have been tougher in the Caulfield Cup and she keeps on defying expectations. It would not surprise to see her run a bold race once again.
Wall Of Fire
Wall Of Fire is the main danger to Marmelo in the Melbourne Cup. He is weighted to win the race and his Australian racing debut in the Ladbrokes Herbert Power Stakes was outstanding.
Thomas Hobson
Thomas Hobson has raced over much longer trips than this in Europe and the 3200 metres will not be an issue. Whether he has the turn-of-foot required to win the Melbourne Cup is the question.
Rekindling
Rekindling could be the x-factor in the Melbourne Cup and Lloyd Williams is very keen on his chances. He could become the first Northern Hemisphere three-year-old to win the Melbourne Cup.
Amelie’s Star
Amelie’s Star could hardly have been more impressive in The Bart Cummings and she had excuses in the Caulfield Cup. Darren Weir could have her ready to peak on the day.
Cismontane
Cismontane could hardly have been tougher in the Lexus Stakes and he is deserving of his place in the Melbourne Cup field. He will take up the running and be in the race for a long way, but it is tough to see him winning.
