Melbourne Cup Preview & Leading Contenders

Melbourne Cup Preview & Leading Contenders

There are few more popular sporting occasions in Australia than the Melbourne Cup. The biggest Group 1 of the season takes place at Flemington, Victoria, and sees horses at least three compete over a distance of two miles.

It is a race that the whole of the country stops to watch, and is among the richest turf races of the season, offering a purse of A$8 million. Famous horses such as Makybe Diva, Rain Lover, and Peter pan have won this race in the past. You can find out more information about the Melbourne Cup 2021 leading contenders below. 

Incentivise

A clear market mover in the betting over the past seven days or so has been Incentivise for trainer Peter Moody. The Australian trainer only picked up the five-year-old a couple of months ago, but has already claimed Group 1 success with the talented horse. 

He showcased all his credentials for the Melbourne Cup with a win in the G1 Makybe Diva Stakes at Flemington, despite not being at his very best with Brett Prebble onboard. All sights will now be on a return to Flemington for the G1 Turnbull Stakes next month, before a shot at the G1 Caulfield Cup before his shot at history in the Melbourne Cup.

Check out this incredible all the way win for Incentivise in the 2021 Makybe Diva Stakes! What a horse – 10 starts for 7 wins ? ?? #QLDer #QLDisRacing pic.twitter.com/GMlko4VWpB

— RaceQ (@RaceQLD) September 11, 2021

Spanish Mission

One of the raiders that looks set to make a bid for the Melbourne Cup later in the year, is British-trained Spanish Mission for trainer Andrew Balding. The five-year-old has been in decent form this season, but was narrowly beaten by the great Stradivarius in his last start in the G2 Weatherbys Hamilton Lonsdale Cup Stakes at York.

However, he remains one from five this season, and the distance in that York Group 2 doesn’t present any potential issues for his shot at glory at Flemington later in the year. Before then, he will oppose Incentivise in the Caulfield Cup.

Sonnyboyliston

Another raider that looks to have an incredible chance in the Melbourne Cup is Sonnyboyliston for trainer Johnny Murtagh. The four-year-old continued to beg for more ground when winning over a mile and six at the Curragh on September 12th when winning the G1 Irish St Leger from Twilight Payment.

That was his third success in six starts this season, with both his previous victories coming over the same one-mile and six-furlong trip. There is no doubt that Sonnyboyliston could be a leading chance, as he is bred to stay two miles.

Realm of Flowers

Realm of Flowers could be an outstanding chance for a first win in this famous race for Anthony & Sam Freedman. The five-year-old started the season in excellent form with one win and two seconds. She won the Listed Andrew Ramsden at Flemington, winning by four and three-quarter lengths from Grand Promenade.

Her last run could be scratched immediately, as her run over one mile in the G2 Clamms Seafood Feehan Stakes at Moonee Valley was certainly over a distance that the five-year-old isn’t comfortable over. A return to a distance nearer to two miles looks the next likely stop, and she could be one to keep an eye on.

More glory for @JosephOBrien2 in the big one! Twilight Payment is the 2020 Lexus Melbourne Cup winner! pic.twitter.com/NkmrX2Kg6V

— At The Races (@AtTheRaces) November 3, 2020

We hope you enjoyed the article ‘Melbourne Cup Preview & Leading Contenders.’ What are your predictions for this years Melbourne Cup? Let us know!

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