We’ve already focused on the current big three in the Melbourne Cup market recently. As England’s top festival Royal Ascot kicks off, we are promised plenty of betting clues for the spring carnival in Melbourne from afar as five major days of racing begins.
Can the Royal Meeting Change the Melbourne Cup Betting?
Along with York in August, this week will be England’s biggest contribution towards changing the shape of the Melbourne Cup market. There are numerous handicaps, middle-distance races and of course the Gold Cup to come. These are all worth watching for Melbourne Cup punters.
The marathon 4000m Ascot Stakes on day one may or may not provide clues, but the closing 2800m Copper Horse handicap should.
Vauban (Willie Mullins) is favourite for that race. We mentioned him before after he won at the 2022 Cheltenham Festival. A talented jumper, he may yet be primed for a crack at the Cup on November 7. The same trainer also runs Absurde.
There’s no word yet on whether top trainer Charlie Appleby will be sending horses back to Melbourne. He runs Ruling Dynasty is the Copper Horse, a stayer with a future. The race also features Postileo for Roger Varian who is keen to win the Cup.
Look out during the week for the Queen’s Vase. This is a 2800-metre Group 2 for three-year-olds. The same age group also has the King George V Stakes over 2400m. Winners of that race can mature into fine stayers. The Ascot Gold Cup (Group 1) however is the big one.
Run over 4000 metres, this is a true test of stamina. Many horses go into the unknown in this race however and are comfortable at around the Melbourne Cup distance which makes this top-level race the key trial during the week.
The big race features Coltrane of Andrew Balding’s who is still improving at six. Charlie Appleby’s Yibir and Roger Varian’s Eldar Eldarov are classy types too.
Also expected to run are Echoes In Rain for Willie Mullins and Emily Dickinson for Aidan O’Brien. The latter hasn’t been too keen on coming back to Melbourne however.
Ascot Horses with Other Carnival Targets
As well as Melbourne Cup runners, Royal Ascot could produce other Carnival entrants.
Light Infantry is owned by an Australian and ran in last year’s Golden Eagle. He may well be back for the Cox Plate and runs in the Queen Anne Stakes on day one. Also in that race is Chindit, whose trainer Richard Hannon may have an eye on the Champions Mile.
Point King (Joseph O’Brien) runs in the Copper Horse and is a top-price $17 for the Caulfield Cup on October 21, while popular Aussie winner Dubai Honour could line up this week and is among the favourites for the Moonee Valley Gold Cup on October 28.
Other potential Cox Plate runners go this week too. They include Adayar, My Prospero and Mostahdaf. The week should provide plenty of clues.
