Here is Michael Sullivan’s comprehensive 2017 Melbourne Cup Runner-by-Runner Preview.<\/p>\n
1.Hartnell ($26)<\/a><\/p>\n Proven top quality performer who ran favourite in the Cup last year.\u00a0 I doubt he is going as well as he was when finishing third then and still think is a question mark at 3200m.\u00a0 The counter to that is you are getting $26 this year and has D Lane in the saddle and at those odds he could be some value.<\/p>\n 2. Almandin ($7.00)<\/a><\/p>\n He is the defending champion, Cup favourite and clearly our worst result at Bluebet.\u00a0 His win in the JRA Trophy suggested he had returned in fine form and then put in a flat run in the Bart Cummings.\u00a0 Team Williams know how to set them for Grand Final day and he will be there when it counts.\u00a0 Obvious winning chance.<\/p>\n 3. Humidor ($9.00)<\/a><\/p>\n Should be super fit after running in both the Caulfield Cup and giving Winx fans a massive scare in the Cox Plate.\u00a0 That was a superb weight for age performance and if he runs out the two miles he is probably the class horse of the field.\u00a0 Master trainer Darren Weir and in form Blake Shinn aboard are both massive ticks too.\u00a0 Definite winning hope<\/p>\n 4. Tiberian ($34)<\/a><\/p>\n French stayer who is in good form winning 4 of his last 5 and the trip shouldn\u2019t be a concern.\u00a0 The French form has certainly stacked up in recent Americain and Dunaden winning the Cup in recent years.\u00a0 Am a little worried about what the French jockey I know nothing about does from gate 23 though.\u00a0 If gets the right run, can certainly be amongst the placegetters.<\/p>\n 5. Marmelo ($10)<\/a><\/p>\n Caulfield Cup run had flashing lights on it when working home into sixth.\u00a0 The Caulfield Cup still holds as the best form race for this and his European form is excellent too. \u00a0I like horses who have had a run in Australia before the Cup and has the big advantage of Hugh Bowman aboard.\u00a0 I think he is the horse to beat and I have him as top pick in an open Cup.<\/p>\n 6. Red Cardinal ($18)<\/a><\/p>\n German stayer from the same camp who won the Cup with Protectionist.\u00a0 He had excellent form in Germany and America before being well beaten by Marmelo in France.\u00a0 He has barrier 24 and hasn\u2019t had a run in Australia which are clear negatives.\u00a0 Has in form Kerrin McEvoy aboard which helps and while he certainly can win, I think there are better hopes.<\/p>\n 7. Johannes Vermeer ($10)<\/a><\/p>\n Unlucky in the Caulfield Cup when ran a hot favourite and you have to respect that form coming in here.\u00a0 Trained by master Irish trainer Aidan O\u2019Brian and drawn to get a soft run.\u00a0 He has to be some question mark at the 3200m though and I am not sure he represents a lot of value at $10.\u00a0 He can win but I will be looking at others.<\/p>\n 8. Bondi Beach ($61)<\/a><\/p>\n This horse has been spruiked more than snake oil over the years and has never lived up to the hype.\u00a0 This is his third tilt at the Cup finishing 16th<\/sup> and 13th<\/sup> in previous years.\u00a0 There is no way I could back him on form but there has been money for him in recent days shortening from $151 to $61 at Bluebet.\u00a0 Team Williams are still kicking up for him but would be a leap of faith to back him.<\/p>\n 9. Max Dynamite ($17)<\/a><\/p>\n Irish galloper who had little luck when beaten by Prince of Penzance in the Cup two years ago.\u00a0 Has only been very lightly raced since then and I don\u2019t think he is going anywhere near as well as he was two years ago.\u00a0 I think as an 8yo now his chance may have passed and I am happy to risk him.<\/p>\n 10. Ventura Storm ($34)<\/a><\/p>\n Imported stayer who is now with the powerful Hayes team.\u00a0 He was right in betting before being well beaten in the Caulfield Cup. He pulled up with the excuse of a hoof abscess but that isn\u2019t really the preparation I am looking for in a Melbourne Cup.\u00a0 Would need to be at his very best to be in the finish here and I am happy to risk.<\/p>\n 11. Who Shot Thebarman ($51)<\/a><\/p>\n This 9yo trained by Chris Waller is having his fourth crack at the Cup where he has always runs well.\u00a0 He loves the track and the 3200m is his best trip.\u00a0 He was actually very impressive winning the Moonee Valley Cup last start so he is still going well even though getting on in years.\u00a0 I doubt he can win the race but he will put in another good solid performance and is a good hope to add value to the trifecta.<\/p>\n 12. Wicklow Brave ($51)<\/a><\/p>\n Another 9yo who has made the trip out from Ireland.\u00a0 He does have the benefit of having a run here although it was a fairly ordinary looking 12th<\/sup> in the Caulfield Cup.\u00a0 Was given none in this race last year when sat wide outside a strong speed.\u00a0 Will probably go forward and given them something to catch.\u00a0 Steve Baster is a good jockey who can judge the speed well but I doubt he can hold off the field here.<\/p>\n 13. Big Duke ($21)<\/a><\/p>\n Good imported stayer has the master trainer Darren Weir and gun jockey Brenton Avdulla aboard which are both massive ticks.\u00a0 He hasn\u2019t much luck this preparation with things going against him on the Metropolitan and the Moonee Valley Cup. \u00a0He is a winner having put together a string of victories since coming to Australia. \u00a0I think he is one of the roughies who has a genuine winning chance.<\/p>\n 14. US Army Ranger ($61)<\/a><\/p>\n Irish stayer trained by Joseph O\u2019Brien the son of legendary trainer Aidan.\u00a0 His form has only been fair of late at best and I hate backing English jockeys out here particularly when drawn wide like he is barrier 22.\u00a0 Can\u2019t see it getting any favours and wouldn\u2019t back it even if it did.\u00a0 Happy to leave him out.<\/p>\n 15. Boom Time ($26)<\/a><\/p>\n The Caulfeld Cup winner comes into this race as a $26 outsider and while the general consensus is that it wasn\u2019t a great Caulfield Cup, he still has to be some value at that price.\u00a0 He did have everything go his way that day and I think the real query with him is the 3200m.\u00a0 You can\u2019t totally dismiss him given Caulfield Cup win but I think this is a step up that he mightn\u2019t be ready for.\u00a0 If he wins, everyone will say he was big odds but I think the quote is right.<\/p>\n 16. Gallante ($101)<\/a><\/p>\n Another one from Team Williams but it hard to see him winning on his form this Spring.\u00a0 Did win the Sydney Cup last year but hasn\u2019t matched that form since.\u00a0 Does love the wet and if the forecast is wrong and the rain arrives he becomes some small hope.\u00a0 Otherwise not for me.<\/p>\n 17. Libran ($41)<\/a><\/p>\n Imported stayer from the Chris Waller stable who put in his best performance in a long time when running second in the Moonee Valley Cup.\u00a0\u00a0 He is probably going as well as he ever has but that is probably still short of what is required to win this.\u00a0 If he runs up to his best again in the Cup, he could sneak a place.<\/p>\n 18. Nakeeta\u00a0 ($29)<\/a><\/p>\n UK galloper who won the Ebor which has been a good lead up to the Cup in the past.\u00a0 I am not convinced on that run he can win the Cup and is drawn wide to boot.\u00a0 Looks a bit one paced to be able to beat these but can wack away.\u00a0 Can be included in trifectas but I am looking elsewhere.<\/p>\n 19. Single Gaze ($41)<\/a><\/p>\n Very honest mare who put in a good performance to run second in the Caulfield Cup.\u00a0 She is a great little horse but and very popular but surely she has to be a big doubt at 3200m.\u00a0 She is so honest though that she will probably put in a very credible performance.\u00a0 Would be happy to see her win but I can\u2019t see it happening.<\/p>\n 20. Wall of Fire ($13)<\/a><\/p>\n He is a European raider down in the weights and punters have come for him big time at Bluebet this week.\u00a0 He has shortened right up to $13 with solid money coming for over the last two weeks.\u00a0 His run in the Herbert Power was very good and he should be peaking for this.\u00a0 Has top jockey Craig Williams on so have to concede he is among the top chances but I will be looking elsewhere for the winner.\u00a0 He is a must for exotics though.<\/p>\n 21. Thomas Hobson ($18)<\/a><\/p>\n High quality stayer from the UK who won the Ascot Stakes at Royal Ascot and then continued his solid form with two seconds in the UK.\u00a0 He only got into the field with the late withdrawal of John Snow.\u00a0 The wide draw makes it awkward for him and he doesn\u2019t have the sprint of some of his rivals so will need to make a long run probably round the outside.\u00a0 Can win, maybe place more likely.<\/p>\n 22. Rekindling ($14)<\/a><\/p>\n Irish stayer who has been brought over by Team Williams for this race after an impressive win the Curragh Cup in Ireland.\u00a0 He is only a 3yo so gets in with 51.5kg and should get a soft run with Corey Brown to ride from barrier 4.\u00a0 He has plenty of upside and if has thrived here can win the race, it is just whether this race might be a year too soon.<\/p>\n 23. Amelie\u2019s Star ($18)<\/a><\/p>\n One of the few genuine locals in the field, she comes here after a very impressive win in the Bart Cummings and then things didn\u2019t go her way in the Caulfield Cup.\u00a0 She will be ridden a lot quieter here and has a sprint to put herself in the race.\u00a0 I think she is one of the better chances in the race and will be including her in everything.<\/p>\n