History awaits for Almandin

Almandine looking to repeat in the Melbourne Cup

Almandin looking to add name to history books in Melbourne Cup. Only five horses in the history of the Melbourne Cup have been able to win the prestigious international contest more than once, but last year’s winner Almandin has a good chance of adding his name to that list when he lines up next month.

Credit: FlemingtonRacecourse via Twitter

Almandin was hampered with a terrible draw in 2016 as he had to come out of stall 17 at the start of the 3200m contest at Flemington Park. He was given a brilliant ride by Kerrin McEvoy, though, who tucked his mount up in midfield and made a strong challenge with 300 metres to go, which was timed to perfection.

The seven-year-old has only had one start since he was victorious in the Melbourne Cup. He returned to Flemington Park last month, where he showed no signs of rustiness to claim the Japan Racing Association Trophy, which is a Listed contest over 2400m.

Almandin can be backed at $6 to make it five wins on the spin in the ‘race that stops a nation’. A lot of punters who bet on the Melbourne Cup choose a ratings package and you can see why; all of the runners in the contest will be reviewed and rated to help you come up with the winner.

The latest betting suggests Bonneval could be the leading threat to Almandin’s chances this year. The four-year-old is unbeaten on the racetrack as she has won all four of her starts. Despite the limited amount of experience, Murray Baker’s filly already has three Group One wins to her name; therefore, she has delivered at the highest level.

Bonneval’s latest success came at Caulfield in the Underwood Stakes over 1800m. She was able to get the better of the well-backed favourite at Hartnell, where she showed an impressive turn of foot in the middle-distance race.

There will be question marks about whether Bonneval will be able to handle the 3200m distance as the furthest she has attempted is 2400m. She won on her debut at that trip in the New Zealand Oaks at Trentham, while just weeks later she added the Australian Oaks at Randwick to her record.

Humidor put himself in contention for the 2017 Melbourne Cup when he won the Group One Makybe Diva Stakes at Flemington Park last month. The five-year-old always seems to produce his best performances at the Victoria track, so connections will be hoping he can be in contention in the closing stages of the feature race of the Spring Carnival.

Humidor on track for the Melbourne Cup

Credit: Racing News via Twitter

Trainer Darren Weir knows all about winning the Melbourne Cup as he trained Prince Penzance to victory in 2015 as the $100 outsider caused a surprise when ridden by female jockey Michelle Payne. Humidor has a similar profile to the 2015 winner so the bookmakers are taking no chances and have installed him at the top end of the early betting.

The 2017 Melbourne Cup takes place on November 7 this year and the best of luck if you are having a punt on the race.

Category: Racing