Melbourne Cup 2010

Leading Sydney trainer Gai Waterhouse is preparing for one of her strongest assaults on the Caulfield and Melbourne Cups.

Racing manager for Waterhouse, Mark Webbey, says that AJC Australian Oaks winner Once Were Wild, AJC Australian Derby runner up Descarado and improving ex-Kiwi stayer Herculian Prince are all back in work with the target being the two Cups.

Once Were Wild only returned to Tulloch Lodge recently, having a decent break after her impressive three length victory in the AJC Australian Oaks.

“She’s doing well,” Webbey said. “We have her trialling around August 6th, with her first run possibly in the Tramway Handicap (1400m) on September 4.”

“The mare appears to be an ideal Caulfield Cup horse and we are hopeful that she may be able to extend to the 3200m.”

Descarado and Herculian Prince have been at the stables longer, and will start their campaigns earlier.

“Both horses are now up to ¾ pace,” Webbey said. “They will have their first trials towards the end of July.”

It is likely that they will be kept apart during their lead up races.

“Descarado is scheduled to have his initial start this preparation in the Warwick Stakes on August 21.”

“Herculian Prince is pencilled in to run at Caulfield in the Liston Stakes on August 14 – however, this may change if we decide to kick off in Sydney.”

Despite Waterhouse’s enormous success, she is yet to train a Caulfield or Melbourne Cup winner.

She has had numerous runners in the Caulfield Cup, her best result a 2nd with classy mare Aqua D’Amore in 2006, who led until the final few strides.

From twelve runners in the Melbourne Cup, she has managed two thirds with tough stayer Te Akau Nick in 1993 and three year old Nothin’ Leica Dane in 1995.

As one of racing’s most popular ambassadors, a Waterhouse victory on the first Tuesday of November would surely be widely celebrated.

We have gone through and added a small write up on each horse that we feel may play a part in this years 2010 Melbourne Cup, we have also included their current odds found on IASbet.

Get the best Melbourne Cup 2010 odds with IASbet.com

AKMAL (GB) – have to include with his 3.3L win over Darley Sun in the Henry II Stakes G2 back in May this year. $101

AKZAR (IRE) – only had three starts and obviously has untapped ability. At his third start, he ran 3rd to Profound Beauty in the Ballyroan Stakes at Leopardstown. $81

ALANDI (IRE) – lightly raced 6yo with just the 9 starts. Multiple G1 winner already including the Irish St Leger. Hickmott brought him out for a look here in May, a good sign. $21

ALCOPOP – revelation last spring. Only has to recapture that form to be included. $26

AMERICAIN (USA) – won the Kergorlay at Deauville last time out and cant disregard just yet. $31

ANUDJAWUN (NZ) – showed staying promise last prep and only lightly raced. Cannot totally write off just yet. $101

APPREHEND – dour type last prep who has surprisingly run some good races in the early spring features. Stable reports are encouraging. $121

BARON – well bred 4yo with Hickmott. Can surprise. $151

BASE (NZ) – lightly raced 4yo who hasn’t missed a place to date. $101

BAUER (IRE) – runner up to ill fated Viewed by a nose in 08 Cup. $51

BOLTON (NZ) – another lightly raced Hickmott galloper who hasn’t missed a place in his two starts to date. $101

BRIGHTNIGHT (NZ) – Bart Cummings trained galloper who resumed with fair run in the memsie. Saab Quality written all over him. Surprisingly short at $41

C’EST LA GUERRE (NZ) – no stranger to big races, 8th in last years Cup. $51

CEDARBERG – 4yo by Helenus who ran midfield in AJC Derby. Shows plenty of staying promise. $301

CHARTREUX – could be David Hayes’ only shining light this spring. W.A Derby winner who resumed at Moonee Valley with cracking run. $41

DARIANA – Bart’s mare who was an emphatic winner of the QLD Derby. $13

DARLEY SUN (IRE) – Godolphin import who has raced well in big races in the UK. $101

DESCARADO (NZ) – AJC Derby runner up with Gai Waterhouse. $81

DOCTOR FREMANTLE (GB) – slightly disappointing galloper with Lee Freedman. Winner of the Arc Trial back in September last year. Can lift to be a force. $101

EXCEPTIONALLY (NZ) – VRC St Leger winner. $151

EXTRA ZERO – didn’t really fire last preparation but was runner up to Monaco Consul in the VRC Derby. $201

FAINT PERFUME – VRC Oaks winner for Bart Cummings. Must include, untapped staying potential. $19

FAIRFIELD FLAME (GER) – Kiwi with Mike Moroney who made Australian debut where she was midfield behind Mont Fleuri. Bred to stay the two mile. $101

FANJURA (IRE) – unbeaten in Australia with two smart Caulfield wins. $41

GALLANT LADY – beaten favourite when runner up to Exceptionally in VRC St Leger. $121

GORKY PARK (NZ) – Ramsden winner back in May 08′ and has had a while off. His two runs this time in and been good, indicating he is coming back to somewhere near his best. $151

HARRIS TWEED (NZ) – ran a sensational race in this race last year. Have to follow on that effort. $81

HERCULIAN PRINCE (NZ) – Gai’s gelding who came along in leaps and bounds last prep. Natural improvement sees him a force this spring! $81

HOLBERG (UAE) – Godolphin import with probably the best form out of the Internationals. 6L winner over rival Manighar over 2400m at Goodwood in June. $41

HOLLOWAY CASTLE (NZ) – nicely bred Zabeel mare from New Zealand. Key factor is trainer has her here early and can take out a nice race over the carnival. $201 *listed as Holloway in some markets

HOME ON A WING – strong winner at Hawkesbury over 1800m before runnign 6th in AJC Derby. Oozes potential and can play a role this spring $501

JESSICABEEL (NZ) – Sydney Cup winning mare who is being set soley for this race. Stable mail is solid and she looks a threat. $17

JOE BLOW – another one for Bart Cummings who looks to have come back well, impressing in a recent trial. This could be his year to stamp himself as a genuine stayer. $201

KUTCHINSKY – QLD Derby runner up to Dariana who showed real staying potential over the Brisbane winter carnival. $61

LANDLOCKED (NZ) – 11th in AJC Derby but indicated he has come back well with slashing win over 1200 first up. $251

LARGO LAD – enigmatic galloper who ran 3rd in the Perth Cup. If he puts it all together he’s definately a chance. $251

LEICA LARRIKIN – big gelding from Corowa who races best at Flemington. Developing into a nice type and can surprise a few. $61

LINTON – untapped grey gelding with Robert Hickmott. Displayed frightening potential in the autumn and has been labelled better than Cup winning stablemate Efficient. $21

MACEDONIAN (NZ) – Peter Moody trained 5yo who ran well in staying races last prep and has come back well this time in. $121

MALUCKYDAY (NZ) – placed in the G2 Tulloch stakes in Sydney and impressive first up winner at Hawkesbury. With team Hawkes and has undeniable staying ability. $101

MANIGHAR (FR) – runner up to rival Americain in the Kergorlay at Deauville last start. $31

MOATIZE – Cummings galloper who was a few lengths off the elite last prep but can improve enough to be a force. $61

MONACO CONSUL (NZ) – VRC Derby winner who looked really dour last prep. Raced well when he got over a bit of ground and no reason he won’t be running on again. $31

MOUDRE – bush galloper who has taken all before him this preparation, winning twice in easy fashion. $19

ONCE WERE WILD – bold front running mare who won the AJC Oaks last time out defeating Faint Perfume. Obviously would have improved further during the break. $26

PENTO DIABLO – 5yo by Pentire who put in an incredible run last spring behind Timetable on Thousand Guineas day. On that run, he rates a mention. $501

POLLY’S MARK (IRE) – 5yo imported mare with David Hayes. strong form in the UK. $61

PRECEDENCE – another Cummings trained galloper who started to hit his straps earlier this year. Resumed with a cracking run first up indicating this boy is back! $26

PROFOUND BEAUTY (IRE) – Dermot Weld mare who has exceptional form overseas. Ran well in 08 cup. $26

REBEL RAIDER – long shot VRC Derby winner in 08 who returned to racing with impressive first up win. If he stays sound, he is sure to be around the mark. $19

REPRISAL – another one for D.A.Hayes who showed he can stay with some fair efforts in some good races last spring. Continued his solid form earlier this year and should continue to run well. $301

RITE OF PASSAGE (GB) – Ascot Gold Cup winner who was performing consistently in hurdles prior. With Dermot Weld so best to follow. $31

RUNDLE – defeated rival Chartreux over 2500m at Flemington prior to a spell. Obvious ability. $31

SHAMOLINE WARRIOR – lightly raced 4yo who was VRC Derby favourite before being scratched on race morning. Since resumed with OK run at Caulfield when slightly interfered. Improves as the distances get longer. $26

SHERPA TENZING (NZ) – VRC St Leger placegetter who resumed with handy run at Rosehill. Bred to get a trip. $101

SHOCKING – 09 Cup winner who ran cracking race when resuming at Caulfield. Obviously going well and no reason he can’t go back to back. $15

SHOOT OUT – AJC Derby winner who has resumed in great fashion, winning a couple of early spring lead ups. $19

SIRMIONE – representing the master and simply can’t dismiss although better suited at 2000m. $51

SO YOU THINK (NZ) – probably the best horse in Australia right now. Cox Plate winning 3yo who defeated star studded field at his re-appearance. $15

STAR RIPPER – another one for the master. Won 3 in succession last prep and no reason to leave him out of calculations at this stage. $81

VESPER – Hickmott trained 4yo Zabeel gelding who has won 2 of his 3 starts. Impressive Flemington winner before a spell and natural improvement sees him in the mix. $101

VIGOR (NZ) – unfortunatly didn’t gain a start in last years Cup after running 3rd in the Caulfield Cup. Has been getting better every prep and this looks his year to shine. $31

ZANTELAGH – Kavanagh trained mare who is showing staying promise. $201