MELBOURNE CUP CARNIVAL COUNTRY FINAL
Results
Incredibly open. EUPHORIC (2) just gets the nod. He's a smart horse who resumed over 1500m at Geelong and ran on strongly to score, booking his way into this race. He's lightly raced and should only improve fitness wise. VON HAUKE (17) comes through the same Geelong race, starting $3 on that occasion. Gets a soft run here and with even luck he'll be very hard to hold out. ROGUE ROCKER (6) split the pair at Geelong and good prior at Caulfield. Perhaps a small query at this trip but must be considered a chance. POISON CHALICE (8) has built a very good record, starting odds-on at his past two starts, winning the latest at Murtoa. Drawn wide but gets McDonald on and can run a big race. DELICIOUS TYCOON (13) is racing very well and is in the mix.
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Most recently tracked the speed and boxed on steadily; won by a head at Bendigo Bm78 November 1 over 1400m defeating Soaring Eagle carrying 60kg at $4.50. The run before that 6th of 10 at Caulfield Bm84 on October 18 over 1440m, 2.75 len behind Jennilala carrying 57kg at $5.50. Likely to run around at long odds and deservedly so.
Second-up. First-up after four months was well back until straightening; raced back then made ground from the turn; won by a head at Geelong Mcc Heat (Qc) October 25 over 1500m on a soft track defeating Rogue Rocker with 57kg at $14. Previously second-up won by a neck at this track 3yo Hcp May 13 over 1400m on a soft track defeating Private Jumbo with 55.5kg at $7. Should only strip fitter. Big chance.
At the latest run favourite; tracked the speed and boxed on steadily; won by 0.5 len at Horsham Bm70 October 22 over 1400m defeating Dothraki carrying 61kg at $3. The start before that did the work up front then tired 5th of 11 at Sandown-Hillside Bm78 on September 6 over 1800m, slow going 1.5 len behind Wyclif carrying 57kg at $3.50. Hard to enthuse.
Last start 2nd of 13 at Horsham Bm70 on October 22 over 1400m, 0.5 len behind Red Phantom carrying 61kg at $9.50. The start before that 3rd of 10 at Hamilton Bm70 on October 14 over 1100m, 3.5 len behind Mawallock with 61kg at $14. Recent form suggests this might be a bit too tough.
Recent form sound. Last start 3rd of 11 at Bendigo Bm78 on November 1 over 1400m, 1.2 len behind Dashing with 58.5kg at $7. Before that came from midfield and won by a head at Caulfield Bm70 October 18 over 1440m defeating Fearless Writer with 59.5kg at $8.50. Cannot be ruled out.
Most recently 2nd of 9 at Geelong Mcc Heat (Qc) on October 25 over 1500m, on a slow track; head behind Euphoric carrying 58.5kg at $4.50. The run before that 3rd of 12 at Caulfield Bm78 on September 2 over 1400m, 0.9 len behind Rheinberg carrying 57kg at $10. Can't dismiss.
Most recently came from midfield and won by 0.5 len at Cranbourne Bm64 October 13 over 1500m on a soft track defeating Mere Fancy carrying 59.5kg at $4.50. Before that 3rd of 13 at this track Bm70 on September 24 over 1420m, 1.0 len behind Matron Bullwinkel carrying 57.5kg at $21. Wide draw too testing.
Going well. Comes off a 33 day let-up. At the latest run favourite; won by 1.3 len at Murtoa Bm64 October 7 over 1600m in soft going defeating Lord Goldberg with 59.5kg at $1.70. Before that 3rd in a small field at Sandown-Hillside Bm64 on September 20 over 1600m, 0.5 len behind Sirius Black carrying 61.5kg at $1.70. Impressive win last start and is in the mix again.
Useful type. Last start ran last of 8 at Moonee Valley in the LR Chautauqua on October 27 over 1200m, 5 len behind She Dances carrying 54kg at $8.50. The race before that won by 2.75 len at Benalla Bm70 September 29 over 1406m defeating Little Miss Gutsaa carrying 58kg at $2.50. Has the ability to be in the finish.
Useful type. At the latest run won by 2.25 len at Hamilton Bm70 October 14 over 1600m defeating Delicious Tycoon carrying 57.5kg at $7.50. The race before that 4th of 12 at Murtoa Bm64 on October 7 over 1600m, slow going 3.5 len behind Poison Chalice with 60.5kg at $9.50. Last-start winner who can measure up again.
At the latest run gave a sight but was run down late 2nd of 11 at Bendigo Bm78 on November 1 over 1400m, head behind Dashing with 52.5kg at $15. The race before that tracked the speed and boxed on steadily; won by a head at Kyneton Bm64 October 12 over 1460m defeating Kyokushin carrying 58.5kg at $10. Needs to improve.
Third-up today and placed third-up in the past. Resuming 3rd of 12 at Caulfield Bm70 on October 18 over 1440m, neck behind Belthil with 56.5kg at $4.50. Second-up favourite; won by a nose at Sale Bm70 October 29 over 1400m defeating Magnupur carrying 57kg at $3. Fitter and should appreciate the step up to 1600m.
Racing well. At the latest run 4th of 7 at Moonee Valley Vobis Gold Star on October 27 over 1500m, 0.6 len behind Tobaysure carrying 55kg at $4.50. The start before that held ground to the line 2nd of 14 at Hamilton Bm70 on October 14 over 1600m, 2.25 len behind Picaroon with 57.5kg at $9.50. Doesn’t need to improve that much.
Most recently raced behind the speed prior to fading 7th of 9 at Morphettville Nmw-Ly Bm64 on October 21 over 2006m, 6 len behind Lights Of Broadway with 59.5kg at $4.50. The run before that held ground to the line 2nd of 12 at Murtoa Bm64 on October 7 over 1600m, slow going 1.3 len behind Poison Chalice carrying 61kg at $26. Needs to find several lengths to threaten.
Useful type. At the latest run came from midfield; 2nd of 10 at Sale Bm70 on October 29 over 1400m, nose behind Lady Jones carrying 57kg at $12. The run before that settled well back; won by 0.8 len at Seymour Bm64 October 22 over 1300m on a soft track defeating Star Buyer with 58kg at $12. Drawn to advantage and looks a solid chance.
Most recently 2nd of 12 at Cranbourne Bm64 on October 13 over 1500m, slow going 0.5 len behind Think Winning carrying 58kg at $19. The race before that second last of 8 at Mornington F&M Bm70 on September 30 over 1500m, 5.5 len behind Starspangled Baby with 58kg at $11. Narrowly beaten last time but this is too tough.
Useful gelding. At the latest run held ground to the line 3rd of 9 at Geelong Mcc Heat (Qc) on October 25 over 1500m, on a slow track; 1.0 len behind Euphoric with 57.5kg at $3. The run before that 5th of 11 at this track in the LR Headquarters on October 7 over 1400m, 3.5 len behind Tamerlane carrying 54kg at $13. If the gaps come he'll be hard to hold out.
Second-up. First-up after five months tracked the speed and boxed on steadily 3rd of 13 at Horsham Bm70 on October 22 over 1400m, 1.3 len behind Red Phantom with 57kg at $21. Previously second-up won by a nose at Benalla Bm58 February 27 over 1406m defeating Galactic Express carrying 59kg at $2.80. This will test.
Useful type. Last start ran last in a small field at Seymour Bm64 on October 22 over 1600m, slow going 6 len behind Oubitsa carrying 60kg at $5. The race before that came home strongly from last on the turn; 3rd of 12 at Cranbourne Bm64 on October 13 over 1500m, on a slow track; 0.7 len behind Think Winning carrying 60kg at $14. Can do a lot better than that last run.
Useful gelding. Last start 4th of 11 at Bendigo Bm78 on November 1 over 1400m, 1.5 len behind Dashing carrying 60kg at $14. The start before that ran last of 13 at this track Bm78 on October 7 over 1200m, on a slow track; 8 len behind Electric Impulse with 60.5kg at $10. Thereabouts last time out. Definite top-three prospect.
