Example of what a Form Guide looks like
Melbourne Cup time is almost here, and it’s time for all punters to consider their options. While the Melbourne Cup barrier draw is not announced until November 4th on Victoria Derby Day, and a complete form guide will not be available until then, it is possible to get some early insight into many of the likely runners.
A typical Melbourne Cup form guide will include lots of information, including the official Melbourne Cup field, the barriers drawn by each horse, the saddlecloth numbers that each horse will wear, the jockeys who will ride each horse, the names of the trainers behind each entrant, and the weights of the horses. While it is not possible to know this information until 5.30pm on Victoria Derby Day, it is possible to take an early look into other important statistics.
Melbourne Cup Lead-up Races
Any detailed Melbourne Cup form guide will include information on the history of each horse, with specific events often having more significance than others. Some of the most important lead-up races to the Melbourne Cup include the Mackinnon Stakes, the Lexus Stakes (formerly the Saab Quality), the Moonee Valley Cup, the Cox Plate, and the Caulfield Cup.
Clever punters will also be looking at things like the win and place rates for each horse, the last 6 runs of each entrant, and the first-up and second-up records. The 3200 metre distance of the Melbourne Cup also plays a vital role in the final results each year, with any complete form guide also including the track and distance record for each of the included horses.
Form Guide Information
While Melbourne Cup form guides are not standard, the vast majority of them include the same information in a similar format. This makes it easier for punters to take a quick look at the field and make an educated bet with all the known information available. All form guides include information like the saddlecloth number, the barrier, weight, age, sex, pedigree, form/last 6, career, trainer, jockey, preferred track conditions, and first up records after a long break.
With all of this information on your side and detailed past results available from a number of online sources, it is possible to give yourself a distinct advantage when Melbourne Cup time comes around.
Which horse is going to win the Melbourne Cup?
You’re guess is as good as mine, however with the use of a form guide it is possible to narrow down the likely chances of each Melbourne Cup horse.
How to read the Melbourne Cup form guide?
This all depends on what information you’re looking for. Many experienced punters will look for a few specific factors whether this be the horse breeding, SP profile, form in recent races or after a spell. The truth is most punters will look for a range of different things. Study the form guide and find something that works for you.
