2010 Melbourne Cup Betting Preview And Tips

The world’s richest handicap is just a few hours away, and it looks like we’re not seeing any last minute shocks as the talented Bart Cummings-trained 4 year-old So You Think (High Chaparral) clings to his status as the clear betting favourite.

You’ll find him cut to 5/2 with most major bookmakers and we could see further price reductions as last minute volume continues to come in.

The Steven Arnold-piloted bay colt is head-and-shoulders above the rest of the field, odds-wise, and he is seeing plenty of action on the exchanges as well with a Betfair price of around 3.45. The 3200m distance definitely separates the foals from the horses here and it looks like there is only a handful of contenders who could unseat the current betting favourite.

Shocking (Street Cry) boasts a course and distance reference having captured last year’s edition of the race. He has had an indifferent season with a Group 2 score at Flemington being the only genuine positive reference. He came close in the Group 2 Turnbull Stakes, losing out to Zipping (Danehill) who also gets a run out here. Shocking enjoys the Flemington turf course and could be a real factor in the final furlong or so. He can close well under the right circumstances and, if he gets a clean trip, is a genuine factor.

It should be noted that another famous Street Cry offspring runs later this week and a double with Shocking and Breeders’ Cup Classic favourite Zenyatta pays out at 14.62.

Nine year-old warhorse Zipping proved he’s still got what it takes when he captured the Turnbull Stakes and followed it up with a solid second place finish to So You Think in the Cox Plate. He boasts a tried-tested-and-true final 100m and, if he gets space to run, he cannot be underestimated. He has scored over the Flemington surface and is a fantastic outside selection at a value-oriented 28/1. He also partners well on the bottom end of a forecast with So You Think.

Maluckyday (Zabeel) is considered to be the second favourite at the moment and that’s a bit off considering that he’s really coming into this off a Group 3 score and a few solid results in lesser races. 8/1 is far too short.

Godolphin’s Holberg (Halling) is Frankie Dettori’s mount for this one and he’s well-priced at 16/1 and you expect him to take a bit of each-way action there. He’s a Group winner and ships in off a listed score at Goodwood when sent off as the 11/10 favourite. His level of competition has been above  what he’s racing against here and he may come good, though there are questions about whether he can stay the distance.

Linton (Galileo) definitely gets the pedigree nod as Galileo’s have simply been hitting so well this year. He’s got some classy performances to his credit and seems more than able to tackling the turf at Flemington. You have to admire the multiple Group 2 winner and he’s well-priced at 25/1 to pull off a shock. Also a solid selection for the forecast.