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• Danny’s torture sessions

  FOR 90 minutes most days this week, Danny Nikolic has been an adopted “Icerberger” at Brighton Sea Baths.

   
• Sydney bolter is dark horse

  HERE’s a leg-up for punters. Two of the nation’s leading form experts are tipping a Sydney bolter in the Victoria Derby.

   
• Bookies turn off Efficient

  BOOKMAKERS expect Efficient to be scratched from Tuesday’s Melbourne Cup – and punters are running scared.

   
• Chat with Lee Freedman

  CHAMPION trainer Lee Freedman will be answering your questions from noon Friday.

   
• Boffins crack how to win the Cup

  WAGERING on the Melbourne Cup is a better bet than money in the bank, according to mathematicians who say they’ve cracked a winning formula.

   
• Gai to make waves again

  TOP Sydney trainer Gai Waterhouse has compared Viking Legend to her former Victoria Derby winner Nothin’ Leica Dane.

   
• O’Donnell’s bid to buy Cup winner

  FORMER Test cricketer Simon O’Donnell has made a last ditch attempt to be part of the Melbourne Cup after making a bid to buy English stayer Balsaltico.

   
• Shamoline set to atone for Whobe

  SHAMOLINE Warrior is ready to avenge trainer Mark Kavanagh and jockey Michael Rodd’s Victoria Derby heartache of 12 months ago at Flemington.

   
• $160m strategy to build empire

  THE continuing emergence of Nathan Tinkler’s Patinack Farm as a new force in racing could be witnessed on the biggest stage of them all – Derby Day.

   
• Vets in dawn sting on Efficient

  RACING Victoria vets were sent out in a dawn raid as fears mount over the fitness of three Melbourne Cup hopefuls – including favourite Efficient.

   
• Bart’s stayers need win to make Cup

  BART Cummings has twice in the past four years gained a Melbourne Cup starter through the Lexus Stakes – and he’s out to improve on that record.

   
• Monaco has look of Xcellent

  MONACO Consul, the horse no one wanted to ride, is suddenly attracting all the hype going into the $1.5million Victoria Derby (2500m) at Flemington.

   
• Zupacool result for Vigor

  VIGOR’S chance of securing a Melbourne Cup start improved after Kiwi stayer Gallions Reach ran himself out of the race in the Bendigo Cup.

   
• $100m day that excites a nation

  PUNTERS will splurge more than $100 million on Saturday’s Derby Day meeting at Flemington, underlining its status as Australia’s premier race day.

   
• Watch out for Mourilyan in last 50m

  IF MOURILYAN wins Tuesday’s Melbourne Cup, jockey Glyn Schofield won’t hit the lead until the final 50m, trainer Herman Brown says.

   
• Monaco looking good for Derby

  MIKE Moroney left Flemington trackwork satisfied his highly rated three-year-old colt Monaco Consul is on track for this Saturday’s Victoria Derby.

   
• Vigor may be gifted Cup run

  FORMER import Speed Gifted’s exit has helped the Melbourne Cup equation for Vigor, but trainer Danny O’Brien isn’t taking any chances.

   
• Change of plans for Bart’s colt

  BART Cummings has decided to bypass the Group One Mackinnon Stakes this Saturday with his Cox Plate winning three-year-old colt So You Think.

   
• Alcopop bubbles along for Cup

  TRAINER Jake Stephens is growing in confidence ahead of Tuesday’s Melbourne Cup with exciting South Australian galloper Alcopop.

   
• Rawiller sacking tests brotherly love

  BROTHERLY love will be put to the test after Brad Rawiller was dumped from Victoria Derby fancy Extra Zero for his older sibling Nash.