After Without A Fight’s win in the Caulfield Cup, the final prep has been done on the track for the 2023 Melbourne Cup.
Now, with just over a week to go, final preparations are being made in training. We’re checking on how each contender is doing, while we also look forward to the weekend’s barrier draw.
How Will the Barrier Draw Affect the Cup?
The barrier draw is important, even over 3200 metres. This year’s final field is decided at the end of the week, the barrier draw taking place on Saturday evening, November 4.
The draw takes place at the end of Victoria Derby Day. This marks the real start of the Melbourne Cup Carnival.
Though the barrier draw remains important, it’s not as simple as looking to save ground on the inside. Many trainers don’t want to be too close to the rail (low numbers). This can mean their horse getting into traffic problems. Being too wide in a 24-runner race can also cause problems.
A draw somewhere in the middle will suit most connections, something seen as being the final piece of the puzzle for top contenders.
How the Top Contenders Are Shaping Up
A number of horses have fallen out of contention in recent weeks. Many still have intentions to run next Tuesday, with Melbourne Cup tips beginning to fly around. Here’s how the big dogs are doing.
Vauban & Absurde
Willie Mullins’ Irish-trained runner Vauban is a very short price online. He is a general $3.75 chance with a number of firms. Ebor Handicap winner Absurde, ridden by Zac Purton, is a little bigger at $17.
Assistant trainer David Casey is in Melbourne and is very happy with both horses. Casey reports that some rain would do their chances the world of good but otherwise, the horses have settled fine.
Gold Trip
Last year’s winner has been busy of late, but also bang in form. There are no secrets with him, as we’ve managed to watch him run fourth at Moonee Valley, win the Turnbull Stakes and finish a strong third to Without A Fight in the Caulfield Cup. He was also fifth to Romantic Warrior in the Cox Plate on Saturday.
He is back to his very best now, but he is very exposed. The 3200m trip on Tuesday will have to bring out more improvement in him, while Mark Zahra has ditched him to ride Without A Fight.
Without A Fight
When trained in England, this horse got some Melbourne Cup experience. He is trained locally now and as a Caulfield Cup winner, must have a strong chance. Mark Zahra has chosen him over Gold Trip.
Breakup
Japanese trainer Tatsuya Yoshioka was confident of a Caulfield Cup-Melbourne Cup double. He didn’t manage the first one, but Breakup is fitter now and just needs a good draw.
You can watch the Melbourne Cup live at 3pm from Flemington Racecourse on Tuesday, November 7.
