Flemington full racing preview & quaddie | Melbourne Cup Day 2024

Race 1: Group 3 Maribyrnong Plate (1000m)

The traditional opener to Cup Day, the Group 3 Maribyrnong Plate (1000m), has attracted an even field of 13 juveniles and Winmar looks capable of going a couple better than what he produced on debut. The Written Tycoon colt was only bloused late by an unbelievable finish from Miss Celine in the Listed Debutant Stakes at Caulfield, and with natural improvement he looks set to figure in this. He gains the services of Blake Shinn and from barrier five, the pair look likely to settle just behind the speed throughout. A similar performance to what he produced on debut can have ‘Nicky’ Winmar winning.

• 2
  

  WINMAR

• 10
  

  PRICE TAG

• 1
  

  SHINING SMILE

• 5
  

  PRESTAR

Race 2: Listed TAB Trophy (1800m)

Plymouth had plenty of excuses when getting rolled as favourite at Caulfield last time, but looks poised to bounce back into the winner’s stall. The three-year-old gelding was held up for a run when trying to build through his gear in what turned out to be an on-pace dominated affair. The bigger surrounds of Flemington look set to suit the son of The Autumn Son perfectly and with Blake Shinn on board looking to make amends, Plymouth should have a bit too much class on his side and right those wrongs.

• 8
  

  PLYMOUTH

• 3
  

  STATUARIO

• 4
  

  HAMMETT

• 1
  

  VIANARRA

Race 3: Subzero BM90 Handicap (1400m)

One of the sights of Melbourne Cup week, the grey’s race is set to be another exciting affair, and Riot And Rose looks set to peak third-up from a spell. The Peter Moody & Katherine Coleman-trained mare was below her best in horrible conditions at Moe, but her return at Sandown last time prior suggests an overdue win is close. She made up a stack of ground on that day in a race that was run to suit the leaders and as she returns to Flemington, she can bounce back to form. Luke Currie will need a touch of luck from barrier three, but with clear air, Riot And Rose will be fighting out the finish.

• 6
  

  RIOT AND ROSE

• 4
  

  CLOUDLAND

• 9
  

  STORMFRONT

• 8
  

  BIFROST

Race 4: The Schweppervescence Plate (1000m)

Aldolfito seemingly didn’t handle the Heavy going at Caulfield in the Listed Gothic Stakes (1200m) but as he returns to the Flemington 1000m, he can bring up a third win at his fourth start. The three-year-old gelding was a smart Flemington 1200m winner on debut back in July and despite stepping back in trip, he can run a bold race at nice price with horse racing bookmakers. Billy Egan will save him up for the last crack at the leaders, but with a powerful finish, Aldolfito will take some holding out.

• 3
  

  ALDOLFITO

• 1
  

  DUBLIN DOWN

• 18
  

  VERSAILLE

• 13
  

  MANOLO BLING

Race 5: Australian Heritage Cup (2800m)

Whisky On The Hill had simply no luck when finishing 10th in the Bendigo Cup (2400m) last time out in what was seemingly a glorified barrier trial. He saw nothing but backsides until the final 100m and went to the line under a hold. Despite finishing 7.4 lengths off the winner Sea King, he was only defeated by 2.5 lengths behind Berkeley Square which reads well here. With better luck on Tuesday, Whisky On The Hill is the horse with arguably the most upside in the race and should prove to be the superior stayer in the Australian Heritage Cup.

• 7
  

  WHISKY ON THE HILL

• 10
  

  NEWFOUNDLAND

• 18
  

  KODIAK BEAR

• 3
  

  KINESIOLOGY

Race 6: Listed Furphy Plate (1800m)

Apulia did all but win first-up from a six-month spell when finishing second over an undesirable 1500m at Moonee Valley. He was crucially held up for a run until the final 150m of that race and stormed home to be beaten a nostril when he arguably should have won. The son of Fiorente steps up to the 1800m and will appreciate getting back to Flemington and with Mark Zahra on board from barrier five, looks to gain every favour in running. With natural improvement, Apulia should prove too good for his rivals at the end of 1800m.

• 8
  

  APULIA

• 3
  

  MIDNIGHT BLUE

• 10
  

  CAFE MILLENIUM

• 5
  

  ARRAN BAY

Race 7: Group 1 Melbourne Cup (3200m)

The Melbourne Cup, the race that brings our great nation to a standstill will be run for the 164th time on Tuesday. Can Chris Waller add a second win in the great race with Buckaroo or one of his three other runners? Will one of the internationals spoil the local party? Or is there a massive upset brewing? One thing is for certain, this is not to be missed.

Click here for our full preview of the 2024 Group 1 Melbourne Cup

Race 8: Listed The Amanda Elliott (1400m)

Big Swinger could not have been anymore impressive through his first two starts with impressive victories over 1200m at Ballarat. From the in-form Charlotte Littlefield barn, the son of Trapeze Artist comes to town for the first time, and at his first start at 1400m, he can make it a winning one. Craig Williams has been on board at both prior starts and sticks on board from barrier seven. If the pair can lob in the one-one, he has a strong turn of foot for such an inexperienced runner, but on raw ability, Big Swinger should just prove too good.

• 7
  

  BIG SWINGER

• 5
  

  EXTREMELY HARDYS

• 13
  

  STAGE ‘N’ SCREEN

• 8
  

  CHEWING GUM

Race 9: Group 3 Hong Kong Jockey Club Stakes (1400m)

The rock hard fit Miss Aria will have her 11th start of her campaign dating back to March this year, but the Danny O’Brien-trained mare is going as well as ever heading into the Group 3 HKJC Stakes (1400m). Since winning three starts ago at Moonee Valley, the Zoustar mare has been beaten a long neck and 1.3 lengths in Group 2 company when chasing home the classy Revolutionary Miss. She draws barrier three and Blake Shinn will look to have her settle midfield with cover. From there, and with a back to follow, Miss Aria can blouse some potentially vulnerable leaders.

• 9
  

  MISS ARIA

• 4
  

  KONASANA

• 5
  

  AVIATRESS

• 6
  

  COMRADE ROSA

Race 10: BM90 Handicap (1400m)

Is It Me caught the eye when charging home late at Caulfield over 1100m when defeated 1.9 lengths behind the classy Nadal. The five-year-old gelding has had two starts down the Flemington straight for two seconds, so he will obviously handle the occasion, but without a win in close to 12-months, he is due a win. Celine Gaudray will have the son of Iffraaj settled at the rear of the field, but if the breaks go this fellas way, Is It Me will prove too hard to hold out in the Melbourne Cup Day finale.

• 14
  

  IS IT ME

• 12
  

  WARNIE

• 11
  

  MARBLE ARCH

• 3
  

  RHEINBERG