As we know, the final prep has all been done for the top Melbourne Cup contenders. On the eve of the $8.4 million race, we look at the barrier draw, latest odds and who has been scratched from the race.
Cleveland Scratched, More Checks to Be Made
As is often the case, not every horse has passed the vets in Victoria. We’re now down to 23 Melbourne Cup runners after Cleveland was taken out.
Monday’s news that Cleveland was out owing to his elevated temperature may not be the last non-runner information. Vets also inspected Alenquer, trained by Mike Moroney. He was showing signs of being sore on his near fore. The injury is due to a stone bruise picked up on Sunday.
Alenquer will be exampled again on Tuesday morning. Final scratching time is 7.30am. All other horses up to this point have been passed fit to race.
The Barrier Draw
Every year at this time we debate the effects of the barrier draw. True, this is a 3200m race but the field goes around some tight bends at Flemington and as always, a good racing position is needed.
Being stuck on the outside is obviously not ideal. Many however believe that being on the inner and potentially stuck in traffic is also not a desirable position.
In the end, this is how the barrier draw looked before scratchings, along with the TAB odds:
| No. | Horse | Barrier Draw | Odds |
| 1 | Gold Trip | 2 | $7.50 |
| 2 | Alenquer | 9 | $41.00 |
| 3 | Without A Fight | 16 | $7.00 |
| 4 | Breakup | 18 | $19.00 |
| 5 | Vauban | 3 | $4.60 |
| 6 | Soulcombe | 4 | $10.00 |
| 7 | Absurde | 8 | $10.00 |
| 8 | Right You Are | 15 | $34.00 |
| 9 | Vow And Declare | 19 | $26.00 |
| 10 | Cleveland | 23 | $41.00 |
| 11 | Ashrun | 11 | $34.00 |
| 12 | Daqiansweet Junior | 12 | $71.00 |
| 13 | Okita Soushi | 20 | $81.00 |
| 14 | Sheraz | 22 | $101.00 |
| 15 | Lastotchka | 21 | $18.00 |
| 16 | Magical Lagoon | 7 | $101.00 |
| 17 | Military Mission | 5 | $23.00 |
| 18 | Serpentine | 1 | $41.00 |
| 19 | Virtuous Circle | 6 | $126.00 |
| 20 | More Felons | 24 | $26.00 |
| 21 | Future History | 13 | $19.00 |
| 22 | Interpretation | 17 | $81.00 |
| 23 | Kalapour | 14 | $41.00 |
| 24 | True Marvel | 10 | $101.00 |
As you can see, Vauban is a very short price at $4.60. With internet bookmakers he is even shorter at a best-price $4. His barrier draw in 3 might not be ideal either.
Without A Fight is placed in 16 which could end up being ideal. Many a tip is still going the way of last year’s winner Gold Trip, as short as $7.50 from the 2 barrier, but it must be remembered that Mark Zahra has chosen Without A Fight over him and that’s a tip in itself.
Vauban’s trainer Willie Mullins also has Ebor Handicap winner Absurde in the race. Zac Purton’s mount comes from gate 8 which again could be perfect. Japanese runner Breakup is in 18.
A lot may depend on where the pace comes from in this race, as the draw alone cannot decide the winner.
