Melbourne Cup horses, field, form guide: SIMON O’DONNELL is a racing commentator, the founder of Wingara Thoroughbreds and a former Australian international cricketer.
Deauville Legend has been rated as the deserved favorite to win Tuesday’s Melbourne Cup, the race that stops a nation.
And while it’s clearly the class horse of the race, the result is far from a foregone conclusion.
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Race tactics will play a big part in deciding the order of finish for the 2022 event, and what we see in the first 200m should give a fair indication of which jockey will be hailing as they pass the post .
The favorite could be out of contention early if the Melbourne Cup plays out as I expect, with a much slower pace up front.
We hope this complete guide to forms will help you pick a winner.
Deauville Legend ridden by Daniel Muscutt on his way to winning the Sky Bet Great Voltigeur Stakes at York Racecourse. (PA Images via Getty Images)
1. GOLDEN TRIP (barrier 14)
6 year old horse
Weight: 57.5 kg
Coach: Ciaron Maher and David Eustace
Jockey: Mark Zahra
Career: 15: 1-4-4
Last 6: x33529
Winning distance: 2200 m
Earnings: $1,514,914
Odds: 13/4 (courtesy of Bet365 from 1pm on Sunday)
Simon O’Donnell says: Super run in the Caulfield Cup, has elite form over 2400m Europe. Looks like he’s finding his Aussie legs with this build. He’s got a lot of weight to carry, but on his day if he can run the two miles he’s a real shot.
2. PRIZE (barrier 10)
5 years old
Weight: 55.5 kg
Coach: Edward Cummings
Jockey: Hugh Bowman
Career: 23: 7-4-1
Last 6: 7×0688
Winning range: 1300-2400m
Earnings: $2,887,765
Odds: 26 / 6.50 (courtesy of Bet365 from 1pm on Sunday)
Simon O’Donnell says: He’s looked a bit flat to me in his preparation so far, or maybe he’s looking for those longer rides. His early runs have not been ideal through the Turnbull Stakes and the Caulfield Cup. He looked to run a little flat, but if he can bring his A-game and stay at 3200m, his best form puts it in him.
3. ORDER OF KNIGHTS (barrier 24)
8 years neutered
Weight: 55.5 kg
Coach: Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott
Jockey: Tim Clark
Career: 30: 9-1-5
Last 6: 1×1343
Winning range: 1600-3200m
Earnings: $2,421,401
Odds: 26 / 6.50 (courtesy of Bet365 from 1pm on Sunday)
Simon O’Donnell says: He was very average in the Melbourne Cup last year but has since regained his form with a win in the Sydney Cup and a gutsy finish in the Caulfield Cup. If he handles the pressure and the day better than last year, he’s a real top-10 shot.
4. MONTEFILIA (barrier 11)
5 years old
Weight: 55.5 kg
Coach: David Payne
Jockey: Jason Collett
Career: 22: 6-1-5
Last 6: 18 x 434
Winning range: 1400-2400m
Earnings: $2,756,525
Odds: 12 / 3.90 (Courtesy of Bet365 from 1pm on Sunday)
Simon O’Donnell says: He hit the line really hard in the Caulfield Cup and gave every indication that he is looking for a longer trip. He is a class act and has the breeding on both sides to run this kind of distance. It brings a strong background to the career and is one of the genuine opportunities.
Montefilia on the way to the barriers before the run of the Caulfield Cup. (Race photos via Getty Images)
5. NUMERIAN (barrier 7)
7 years neutered
Weight: 55.5 kg
Coach: Annabel Neasham
Jockey: Tommy Berry
Career: 30: 5-8-4
Last 6: 211225
Winning range: 1408-2200m
Earnings: $1,514,573
Odds: 71/17 (courtesy of Bet365 from 1pm on Sunday)
Simon O’Donnell says: He came close to winning the Caulfield Cup but seemed to fade in his career. With these tests alone, I don’t see him running 3200m. I think the trip will leave him undone and he is more ready around the 2000m mark to see him better.
6. NO FIGHT (barrier 18)
6 years neutered
Weight: 55.5 kg
Coach: Simon and Ed Crisford
Jockey: William Buick
Career: 17: 7-3-4
Last 6: 203112
Range of victory: 2012-2787 m
Earnings: $410,620
Odds: 11 / 3.70 (courtesy of Bet365 from 1pm on Sunday)
Simon O’Donnell says: One of the overseas raiders. He is a good traveler and brings winning competitive form to our shores. By all reports, and judging by his vision, he’s tough, he’s tough, and he’ll really make his presence felt.
Verry Elleegant takes Melbourne Cup victory
7. CAMORRA (barrier 17)
6 years neutered
Weight: 55 kg
Coach: Ben and JD Hayes
Jockey: Ben Melham
Career: 17: 4-2-4
Last 6: 7×5518
Victory range: 1628-2816m
Earnings: $294,998
Odds: 51/13 (courtesy of Bet365 from 1pm on Sunday)
Simon O’Donnell says: The form leading up to his last race has been impressive. The better the ground, the better he will go, so a firmer track on Tuesday should give him the best chance. Have a small query due to his poor performance last time, but with his A-game he should stay two miles, and a genuine top-10 finish will not surprise.
8. LEGEND OF DEAUVILLE (barrier 9)
Neutered 4 years old
Weight: 55 kg
Coach: James Ferguson
Jockey: Kerrin McEvoy
Career: 7: 3-3-0
Last 6: x12121
Range of victory: 2012-2615 m
Earnings: $556,167
Odds: 3.60 / 2 (courtesy of Bet365 from 1pm on Sunday)
Simon O’Donnell says: A legitimate favorite for the Melbourne Cup. Brings a strong win and hold profile to the race. He carries 3.5kg more than any other Melbourne Cup-winning three-year-old in Europe, so he’s heavy for a very good horse. Whether his seven-race experience is enough to season him and have him ready to win a Melbourne Cup, only the race will tell. But it is a real opportunity in everything he has done during the English summer.
Deauville legend and jockey Kerrin McEvoy on track before the Melbourne Cup. (Jay Town/Racing Photos via Getty Images)
9. STOCKMAN (barrier 9)
6 years neutered
Weight: 54 kg
Coach: Joseph Pride
Jockey: Sam Clipperton
Career: 36: 8-7-3
Last 6: 964418
Winning range: 1300-2600m
Earnings: $1,343,890
Odds: 29 / 7.50 (courtesy of Bet365 from 1pm on Sunday)
Simon O’Donnell says: He has struggled every time he has gone to race at elite level, although he has a Group 1 placing in the Tancred last autumn. He won two starts over 2600m, and then I expected him to run a strong mile, but I’m not sure he has the class to greet the judge first in a Melbourne Cup.
10. VOTE AND DECLARATION (barrier 4)
7 years neutered
Weight: 54 kg
Coach: Danny O’Brien
Jockey: Blake Shinn
Career: 27: 4-3-4
Last 6: 0x5356
Winning range: 1800-3200m
Earnings: $6,035,880
Odds: 21 / 5.50 (courtesy of Bet365 from 1pm on Sunday)
Simon O’Donnell says: The 2019 winner who looks set to do as well as he did then. Hit the line solidly in the Caulfield Cup with some late interference. Obviously, with the track and distance experience here, and going as well as he is, he’s set himself up again to be competitive in the 2022 version of the race.
Vow and Declare win the Melbourne Cup
11. YOUNG WERTHER (barrier 21)
Neutered 5 years old
Weight: 54 kg
Coach: Danny O’Brien
Jockey: Damian Lane
Career: 14: 1-4-3
Last 6: 28 x 430
Winning distance: 1500 m
Earnings: $1,149,900
Odds: 9/34 (courtesy of Bet365 from 1pm on Sunday)
Simon O’Donnell says: He gives every indication that he will make a trip like this, but he has been unlucky with the barrier draw. He doesn’t win often. A solid performance against outstanding company in the Cox Plate will have seen him through to give his best over two miles.
12. HOO YA MAL (barrier 15)
4 year old horse
Weight: 53.5 kg
Coach: Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott
Jockey: Craig Williams
Career: 9: 2-3-3
Last 6: 322318
Victory range: 1408-2816m
Earnings: $905,868
Odds: 19 / 5.50 (courtesy of Bet365 from 1pm on Sunday)
Simon O’Donnell says: Runner-up in an Epsom Derby is excellent form for a Melbourne Cup. It’s such a tough course that you’d think he’d need to run the two miles here. He has won over 2,800 meters in Europe, which gives us every indication that two miles will be in his arsenal. He will be trained to the minute by Gai Waterhouse, hopefully positive from barrier 15, and could be in the race for a long way.
Manzoice claims the Victoria Derby with a storming finish
13. SERPENTINA (barrier 23)
6 years neutered
Weight: 53.5 kg
Coach: Robert Hickmott
Jockey: John Allen
Career: 14: 2-1-0
Last 6: x00902
Victory range: 2012-2420m
Earnings: $730,004
Odds: 71/17 (courtesy of Bet365 from 1pm on Sunday)
Simon O’Donnell says: An English Derby winner. A daring forward trajectory on Saturday got him into the race. Expect him to progress again over 2400m, and expect Galileo, a super-maintained stallion, to enjoy the 3200m Melbourne Cup and be there or thereabouts for a top-10 finish. Not sure if he has the class to win it.
14. DAQIANSWEET JUNIOR (barrier 13)
Neutered 5 years old
Weight: 53 kg
Coach: Phillip Stokes
Jockey: Daniel Moor
Career: 21: 7-1-2
Last 6: 13×070
Winning range: 1600-3200m
Earnings: $621,142
Odds: 51/13 (courtesy of Bet365 from 1pm on Sunday)
Simon O’Donnell says: Adelaide Cup winner, Sydney Cup winner. The form leading up to this has been fair, but a genuine person who will appreciate running the two miles. My question mark is whether he has the class to worry the main contenders.
I Wish I Win conquers the exciting Golden Eagle
15. GRAN PASSEIG (barrier 1)
7 years neutered
Weight: 53 kg
Coach: Ciaron Maher and David Eustace
Jockey: Harry Coffey
Career: 24: 8-4-2
Last 6: x7x594
Winning range: 1700-2600m
Earnings: $1,222,400
Odds: 81/21 (courtesy of Bet365 from 1pm on Sunday)
Simon O’Donnell says: Solid effort last outing in the Moonee Valley Cup over 2500m. He has a good record at Flemington, winning here three times, but his only trial over 3200m left him unplaced. Under pressure on Tuesday, I’m not sure he has the class to win the race, but I wouldn’t be surprised if he could finish five to 10 points back at the end of the 3200m.
16. ARAPAHO (barrier 19)
6 years neutered
Weight: 52.5 kg
Coach: Bjorn Baker
Jockey: Rachel King
Career: 26: 6-5-3
Last 6: 712382
Victory range: 1300-2350m
Earnings: $673,900
Odds: 81/21 (courtesy of Bet365 from 1pm on Sunday)
Simon O’Donnell says: Beaten by Stockman in an open handicap last start over 2600m. This prep has been solid, but I’m not sure it’s been solid enough to have…