Back Yourself!
Sign-up and start betting with Ladbrokes in 2 minutes!
Back A Winner with Neds!
Sign-up and start betting with Neds in 2 minutes!
Daily Racing Specials!
Sign-up and bet with Australia's best new bookmaker!
#1 Ranked New Bookie
Sign-up and bet with Australia's #1 ranked new bookmaker!
Best Of The Best Odds!
Bet With Palmerbet and get Paid Top Fluc or Top Tote!
Massive Odds on All Races!
Sign-up and start betting with PlayUp in 2 minutes!
Imagine what you could be buying instead.
Set a deposit limit.
Search
 
Image: Natasha Morello
Hugh Bowman partners Anthony Van Dyck in his quest for a first Melbourne Cup

There will be none of the trackside flair and fanfare that has become synonymous with Australia’s most famous horse race but the Melbourne Cup still promises to be an incredible spectacle.

Fears of limited international participation this year due to the COVID-19 pandemic have not been realised and instead, master Irish trainer Aidan O’Brien has travelled arguably his strongest contingent yet.

The champion horseman has won some of the greatest races around the globe yet a Melbourne Cup still eludes him.

But in Tiger Moth and Anthony Van Dyck he has two undeniable chances.

Hugh Bowman, the jockey famed for his cool demeanour during the heady days as the regular rider of champion Winx, partners Anthony Van Dyck and he is typically calm ahead of his quest for a first Melbourne Cup.

The kid from Dunedoo says a win on Tuesday would be a cherished achievement.

“It would be a childhood dream,” Bowman said.

“I can’t make it happen, it either will or it won’t. But we’re in it with a good chance and I’m excited, I’m confident and I’m sure the horse will run well.”

Melbourne Cup TIPS 📝: View our TIPS and BETS for the Melbourne Cup

Bowman and trainer Chris Waller were a formidable team with Winx but they will be in rival Melbourne Cup corners.

Waller, who is also chasing his first win in the race, will start Caulfield Cup winner Verry Elleegant and consistent stayer Finche.

Finche will be contesting the race for the third year in succession having finished fourth in 2018 and seventh as favourite 12 months ago.

Verry Elleegant heads to the race in superb form but with 55.5kg, history is against her.

The last mare to carry such an impost to victory was Australia’s Melbourne Cup darling Makybe Diva, who won with the same weight in 2004 and carted 58kg to her record third win a year later.

Waller is thrilled with the form and fitness of both his runners but he knows how hard the race is to win.

“I couldn’t be happier with them,” Waller said.

“They’re lead up runs, the way they’ve come through the race and their physical appearance, they look great.

“But it’s not a race you hype yourself up too much about because you get disappointed.”

The Cup will be a different experience for Waller this year with the Sydney trainer watching on from afar due to the logistical complications and quarantine requirements of travelling to Melbourne.

He reckons that might be a good thing.

“I’m not going to bugger it up,” he said.

O’Brien’s pair continue to jostle for favouritism with Tiger Moth holding sway with TAB fixed odds on Monday at $8, just ahead of Anthony Van Dyck at $8.50.

Surprise Baby is regarded as the best local hope at $9, while Verry Elleegant ($11) and Finche ($17) are also solid in the market.

 
*Existing customers only. 2nd Racing bet. Excl SA & WA. T’s & C’s apply. Gamble responsibly.
Imagine what you could be buying instead.
Set a deposit limit.
Featured News

FREE BETS – Claim $1000’s in Bonus Bets at the TOP Betting Sites

We take a look at the BIGGEST and BEST Free Daily Racing Offers and Betting Promotions from Australia’s leading online...

Golden Slipper Likely Field – 2024

The biggest two-year-old race of the year will jump this Saturday in arguably one of the best fields in recent...

Former trainer handed a five-year ban for pulling stewards pants down

Former trainer Todd Balfour has been handed a five-year disqualification by Racing SA stewards after a misconduct incident at the...

Melbourne Cup champion Verry Elleegant passes away

Verry Elleegant, one of the great mares in the history of Australian racing, has died while giving birth to her...

Watch 📺 Jockey banned from all racing premises over ride

Jockey Dylan Kitts has been penalised with a disciplinary officer exclusion directive due to non-compliance with an inquiry regarding his...

Group 1 winner returns positive swab

Racing Victoria stewards are investigating a positive swab from Group 1-winning mare Prowess, the racehorse trained by Roger James and...

Alligator Blood injured, career in doubt

Cult galloper Alligator Blood may have run his last race, with trainers Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott confirming the star galloper had...

Nikita Beriman returns to the saddle

July 1, 2023 to January 26, 2024 … that period represents the just shy of seven months that Nikita Beriman...

Australia's Best Betting Sites

New Betting Sites Australia + Top List Bookmaker Apps $$$

Betting in Australia has never been more popular thanks to a large increase in new betting Agencies and Apps available...

Top 10 – Funniest Race Horse Names

Horse racing. Known as the ‘Sport Of Kings’, an industry worth billions, a very serious business…but to some, it’s a...

Best Horse Betting Sites in Australia

Best Horse Racing Betting Apps and Betting Sites – March 2024

We take a look at the best online betting apps to bet on horse racing in Australia for the month...

Golden Slipper

The Golden Slipper is one of the biggest and most prestigious horse races in Australia. Taking place each April at...

Australian Bookmaker Reviews – Online Bookie Ratings $$

Which bookmaker should you bet with? We Review each of the leading online Australian Bookmakers and rate them in order...

 
 
Imagine what you could be buying instead.
For free and confidential support call 1800 858 858 or visit gamblinghelponline.org.au