Melbourne Cup day live 2024: Jockey’s bold declaration; why long shot had to be scratched
- by Admin
- November 4, 2024
The 2024 Melbourne Cup is here, with 23 local and international racing over 3200m for one of horse racing’s most prestigious trophies — and a whopping $8 million in prizemoney.
The 164th running of the historic race will be help at Melbourne’s Flemington Racecourse on Tuesday afternoon at 3pm AEDT.
Follow below for all the drama and action, with racing to begin at 10.45am AEST with plenty of intriguing betting moves sure to be made in the market ahead of the big one.
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ODDS: Latest market for the 2024 Melbourne Cup
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Expert tips for the 2024 Melbourne Cup | 05:39
JOCKEY’S HUGE PUSH FOR ‘CLASSY’ CUP FAV
Star UK rider William Buick believes he’s on the right horse in this afternoon’s Melbourne Cup.
Buick will partner the Willie Mullens-trained Vauban, who started Tuesday morning as the joint $7 favourite for the race.
Buick has jetsetted halfway across the world on several occasions to try and to win Australia’s most famous race, but he’s so far fallen short.
However, Buick thinks Vauban is his best chance to date.
“I’ve had good rides in the race, but they haven’t materialised whereas I think Vauban is the classiest horse I’ve ridden in the Cup so far,” Buick said soon after touching down in Melbourne on Monday.
“He’s competed against the best stayers that we have, but Onesmoothoperator and Sea King are coming off good wins here leading up to the Cup, so huge respect for them.
“Vauban he has got the best form in the race, no question about that.
While several experts believe Vauban can deliver Buick and Mullens their first Melbourne Cup, there are a few who can’t get last year’s flop out of their heads.
Vauban finished 14th last year when beginning favourite in the 2023 Cup.
Yet Buick thinks his charge is much better suited heading into this year’s edition.
““He’s a high class horse and for whatever reason he didn’t run to form in the Cup last year at all,” Buick said.
“When he came into the Cup last year he had a fair level of form but this year he stepped up again … his form is rock solid in the UK and Ireland and two-mile is his optimum trip.”
“He has that tactical speed to get into position and equally he has the finishing kick over two mile, I’ve never won the Melbourne Cup but in my experience, that ticks a lot of boxes.”
FIELD REDUCED AS LONG SHOT FORCED OUT
Connections of outsider Athabascan suffered a cruel blow with the horse having to be scratched from the field on Monday night.
The John O’Shea and Tom Charlton-trained gelding was found to have a cardiac arrhythmia when Racing Victoria vets completed their second round of pre-race inspections.
“ECG reports and the results of blood tests were then forwarded to three independent experts specialising in equine internal medicine, including cardiology,” Racing Victoria said in a statement.
“They each independently advised that, due to the nature of the cardiac arrhythmia, Athabascan should undergo further extensive testing before being permitted to race again on the grounds of safety.
“Acting on these opinions and having considered additional material provided by the stable, RV veterinarians advised the Stewards that in their view the horse should be withdrawn from the Melbourne Cup due to an increased risk of a cardiac episode.
Athabascan, who finished runner-up in the 2024 Sydney Cup and was to by Zac Lloyd, was rated a $67 chance at the time of his scratching.
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Melbourne Cup fans reveal their tips | 01:33
FLEMINGTON RACE CARD & RESULTS
Race 1 10:45am Darley Maribyrnong Plate (Group 3) 1000m
One of the roughies of the field collects the first race on Cup day, with the Ben, Will and JD Hayes-trained Tycoon Star bursting through a gap to win.
The stable trained the trifecta, with Bacash and Shining Smile filling out the top three.
Favourite Price Tag drifted significantly ($2.30-$3.30) and ran on ok for 4th but was well held.
1st – #9 Tycoon Star (Ben, Will, JD Hayes/Michael Dee) $16/$3.60pl
2nd – #3 Bacash (Ben, Will, JD Hayes/James McDonald) $2.05pl
3rd – #1 Shining Smile (Ben, Will, JD Hayes/Daniel Stackhouse) $1.95pl
Race 2 11.20am TAB Trophy (Listed) 1800m
Race 3 12pm MSS Security Subzero Handicap 1400m
Race 4 12.40pm Schweppervescence Plate 1000m
Race 5 1.20pm Australian Heritage Cup 2800m
Race 6 1.55pm Furphy Plate (Listed) 1800m
Race 7 3pm Melbourne Cup (Group 1) 3200m
Race 8 3.50pm The Amanda Elliot (Listed) 1400m
Race 9 4.35pm Hong Kong Jockey Club Stakes (Group 3) 1400m
Race 10 5.15pm Channel 9 Trophy 1400m
DUMMIES’ GUIDE: How to place a bet on the Melbourne Cup
ULTIMATE GUIDE: How much winner gets and the horses punters are backing
FINAL FIELD: Who made the cut in 2024?
WEATHER FORECAST: What is the weather forecast for the 2024 Melbourne Cup?
BARRIER DRAW: Race blown open after favourite shocker
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