Melbourne Cup day at Flemington with best bets across the card.
After the punters revelled in the sunshine of Derby Day, got out the blocks and landed one squarely on the bookies' jaw, things get a bit more complicated on Cup day.
The forecast has a fair bit to do with that, with big fields and open races (not even including the Cup itself) on a track that could be anything from good to heavy could even things up.
That said, we plough on to day two and Race 6 looks one of the better opportunities on the card.
The early price for Kingswood has been snapped up however I think he deserves to be favourite over Saint George.
Kingswood's return in the fast 1700m race here was excellent when just missing Golden Path before working up on speed in the Hill Stakes in Sydney, fading late but still running to 112 at Racing & Sports.
He started $7.50 there and might just have been a touch flat second up but looks ready to peak third up from the good draw with a bit of give in the track.
He's got a few second-up ratings that go a fair way to winning this and he is a Derby winner on the mud. Tim Clark sticks with him from the inside gate and he can give a huge sight.
Race 8 is the Amanda Elliott and two horses make appeal in an open race. I'm a bit surprised Navy Pilot isn't favourite. He was well fancied to win the Caulfield Guineas and ran well but I don't think he really saw out a mile when just peaking late.
That sixth placing still rates very well in this field and he did mow down Bacash prior at Sandown over the trip, now getting J-Mac aboard from a soft draw.
The other one on the up is Ripley who was a smart maiden winner first up before chasing the hot speed in the Gothic Stakes behind subsequent Coolmore winner Tentyris.
It was a very similar run to Sheza Alibi who won impressively on Derby Day too and now getting to 1400m third up he looks set to peak.
Ethan Brown will need to pull off a good ride from out wide but he'll be positive from out there and looks a great chance.
The Melbourne Mail
Bet of the day: Race 6 #3 Kingswood at $4.80
Also backing: Race 8 #2 Navy Pilot at $6.50 and #7 Ripley at $6.50
