3 Outsiders for the Melbourne Cup

The race that stops a nation, the Melbourne Cup is a two-mile test of stamina, speed and guts that catch out even the toughest of horses. Won last year by Irish trained Rekindling, the European raiders are out in force once more and hold the first six places in the market, with Magic Circle, Yucatan and Cross Counter all vying for favouritism in a race that is likely to produce a titanic finish. In such a competitive, big-field handicap, there are plenty of value options. We’ve been looking through the field in detail and have found three horses who we believe can out-run their lofty odds in perhaps the biggest handicap of the year. We have previews for the two big races on Cup day and they can be found on our Flemington Tips page.

Runaway (Gai Waterhouse & Adrian Bott), Best Priced 50/1

Arriving here on the back of a win in the Group 3 Geelong Cup, RUNAWAY made all of the running and held on gamely to deny all challengers, including Finche. Dominating a field such as this will be no easy task, that is certain, but his recent run of form in big-field handicaps reads well. He does have a bit to find on the figures, but he’ll make a bold fist of things from the front and could easily snatch a place.

Rostropovich (Aidan O’Brien), Best Priced 20/1

Placed in the Irish Derby back in June, Aidan O’Brien’s ROSTROPOVICH arrives here in good form, which includes a Group 3 win at Leopardstown. His latest fifth in the Cox Plate was a very good effort given he did much of the donkey work and today’s two-mile test should be right up his street. Given his class, he doesn’t have much weight to carry here and with O’Brien a master of getting his horses ready for such races, he’s surely better than a 20/1 shot.

Youngstar (Chris Waller), Best Priced 16/1

Winner of the Group 1 Queensland Oaks earlier this year, Chris Wallers’ YOUNGSTAR has a small weight to carry today and her recent form gives her a big chance on these terms. Second to Winx in the Turnbull Stakes at Flemington in October, she kept on stoutly in the 1m 4f Caulfield Cup when last seen. A daughter of High Chaparral, she should enjoy today’s extra distance and a strong case can be made for her on these terms.

We have a runner by runner preview for the Melbourne Cup on site now, with our tip also a horse at bigger odds who we think can provide his trainer a first win in the race.