The action of the coveted Melbourne Cup Carnival hits top-gear today, Tuesday November 5, for 2024 Melbourne Cup Day, and below we take a look over the latest Flemington scratchings and track report ahead of the first.
Of course, the big Melbourne Cup news broke on Monday evening with No. 10 Athabascan (John O’Shea & Tom Charlton) offically scratched from the 2024 Melbourne Cup field after being found to be suffering from cardiac arrhythmia in his mandatory final check by RV vets. Click here for the full story.
Flemington Track Report – 05/11/2024
Victoria Racing Club @ Flemington
- Rail Position: Out 2m Entire Circuit
- Dual Track Meeting: N
- Track Type: Turf
- Track Condition: Good 4
- Weather: Fine
- Track Information: Inspection 6AM 5/11; Going Stick 8.9 Inside 9 Outside 8.9 Shear 11.9 Moisture 37.3%
- Finalised: 5/11/2024 @ 7:45am (AEDT)
We have mostly sunny skies trackside at Flemington this morning with no rain on the radar meaning the Melbourne weather is turning it on for the country’s biggest day of racing!
All eyes are on the clock counting down to the day’s feature with the 164th edition of the Group 1 $8.56 million Lexus Melbourne Cup (3200m) set to run as Flemington Race 7 at 3:00pm (AEDT).
With a clear forecast there should be no change to the current Good (4) Flemington track rating by Melbourne Cup jump time.
Flemington racing is underway with the two-year-olds facing off in Race 1 at 10:45am (AEDT) in the Group 3 $200,000 Darley Maribyrnong Plate (1000m).
The 10-race Melbourne Cup Day card continues through until the last at 5:15pm (AEDT).
The 2024 Melbourne Cup field is the one everyone is gearing up for and 23 of the original 24 horses line-up after the official Melbourne Cup scratching of Athabascan on Monday evening.
Click here for a full rundown on every horse in the Melbourne Cup this year!
Following the meeting’s marquee event, Group racing continues with Flemington Race 9 at 4:35pm (AEDT) with the mares facing off in the Group 3 $200,000 The Hong Kong Jockey Club Stakes (1400m) where there are a host of scratchings.
See below for the complete Melbourne Cup Day 2024 race program, jump times and official Melbourne scratchings before heading to Ladbrokes.com.au for the day’s betting markets.
Flemington Scratchings – 05/11/2024
Total Scratchings: 24
Race 1 (10:45am) Group 3 $200,000 Darley Maribyrnong Plate (1000 METRES)
SCRATCHED:
- 4. The Opportunist (7) SCRATCHED @ 5/11, 6:02 am
- 8. Space Rider (8) SCRATCHED @ 5/11, 5:12 am
- 12. Lady Pankhurst (1) SCRATCHED @ 5/11, 6:22 am
Maribyrnong Plate 2024 Odds & Results
| Runner Details | Win | Place |
|---|---|---|
|
1st
9. Tycoon Star (3)
J: Michael Dee 58kg
T: Ben, Will & Jd Hayes |
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2nd
3. Bacash (5)
J: James McDonald 58kg
T: Ben, Will & Jd Hayes |
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3rd
1. Shining Smile (6)
J: Daniel Stackhouse 58kg
T: Ben, Will & Jd Hayes |
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4th
10. Price Tag (10)
J: Mark Zahra 56kg
T: A & S Freedman |
Data retrieved: 05/11/2024 11:04:16 PM (Australia/Brisbane)
Race 2 (11:20am) $175,000 Listed TAB Trophy (1800 METRES)
SCRATCHED: None @ time of publish
TAB Trophy 2024 Odds & Results
| Runner Details | Win | Place |
|---|---|---|
|
1st
2. Opening Address (6)
J: James McDonald 57kg
T: Liam Howley |
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2nd
3. Statuario (12)
J: Damian Lane 57kg
T: Emma-Lee & David Browne |
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3rd
12. Cecchetti (4)
J: Daniel Stackhouse 57kg
T: Matt Cumani |
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4th
5. Lavalier (1)
J: Jamie Kah 57kg
T: James Cummings |
Data retrieved: 05/11/2024 11:04:33 PM (Australia/Brisbane)
Race comments
OPENING ADDRESS (2) clearly looks the one to beat. He ran last week in the G2 Moonee Valley Vase and tried hard behind Red Aces, only edged out late. That's the best last-start performance coming in and he now gets McDonald on. STATUARIO (3) won two in a row before heading to a handy 3yo race at Caulfield and sticking on well for fourth. Out to 1800m here looks ideal. PLYMOUTH (8) is another very much suited to 1800m when starting hard in the market at Caulfield and plugging away. He's by The Autumn Sun and lightly raced. CECCHETTI (12) is still a maiden but ran well for fourth in the Hill Smith Stakes and that form should hold up well. VIANARRA (1) has been okay in some good races of late and wouldn't shock.
Race 3 (12:00pm) $150,000 MSS Security Subzero Handicap (1400 METRES)
SCRATCHED: None @ time of publish
MSS Security Subzero Handicap 2024 Odds & Results
| Runner Details | Win | Place |
|---|---|---|
|
1st
4. Cloudland (10)
J: James McDonald 55kg
T: Kris Lees |
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2nd
6. Riot And Rose (3)
J: Luke Currie 54kg
T: Peter G Moody & Katherine Coleman |
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3rd
2. Chattahoochee (8)
J: Craig Williams 58kg
T: Cindy Alderson |
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4th
5. Kengero (7)
J: Beau Mertens 54kg
T: Charlotte Littlefield |
Data retrieved: 05/11/2024 11:04:33 PM (Australia/Brisbane)
Race comments
CLOUDLAND (4) comes down from Queensland in consistent form, albeit without winning this preparation. He's been racing in some good Class 6 races and posting figures that measure up well here. He gets McDonald on and finds a winnable race here. RIOT AND ROSE (6) hasn't fired in two runs back but is a classy horse on his day and if he's able to find his best third-up he'd be a huge chance. CHATTAHOOCHEE (2) is a NZ horse who has placed in his past two starts behind some quality types who have run well in Australia. He's good enough, but 1400m may be on the sharp side. MATHLETIC (3) resumes. He didn't fire in his first Australian campaign but may have improved and can figure. STORMFRONT (9) is improving and wouldn't shock.
Race 4 (12:40pm) $150,000 The Schweppervescence Plate (1000 METRES)
SCRATCHED: None @ time of publish
The Schweppervescence Plate 2024 Odds & Results
| Runner Details | Win | Place |
|---|---|---|
|
1st
13. Manolo Bling (9)
J: Ben Melham 55.5kg
T: A & S Freedman |
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2nd
9. Hedonist (11)
J: John Allen 57kg
T: Tom Dabernig |
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3rd
12. Overfull (17)
J: Blake Shinn 55.5kg
T: Peter Robl |
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4th
5. Winnasedge (19)
J: Luke Currie 57kg
T: Nick Ryan |
Data retrieved: 05/11/2024 11:04:33 PM (Australia/Brisbane)
Race comments
Wide open race. ALDOLFITO (3) was a solid winner at Sandown Hillside over this trip two back before finding wet ground and 1200m a bridge too far last time behind the talented Lofty Arch. Back in trip here, he's a winner down the straight and should take beating from a suitable wide draw. WINNASEDGE (5) is a promising gelding who was only beaten a length in the G3 Red Anchor at Moonee Valley last week over 1200m. Back in trip is a slight query but he should be in the finish. MANOLO BLING (13) was nosed out by ALDOLFITO last time at Sandown and did run well in a good race here over 1100m prior. OVERFULL (12) was poor fresh here but gave a sight at Moonee Valley last time and can do so again. GRUZAMBA (11) was a dominant maiden winner on debut at Kyneton and can measure up.
Race 5 (1:20pm) $250,000 Australian Heritage Cup (2800 METRES)
SCRATCHED:
- 3. Kinesiology (10) SCRATCHED @ 5/11, 3:22 am
- 8. Roaring Engine (6) SCRATCHED @ 4/11, 3:52 pm
- 14. Pesto (19) SCRATCHED @ 4/11, 12:42 pm
- 16. Steel Blaze (11) SCRATCHED @ 4/11, 3:22 pm
Australian Heritage Cup 2024 Odds & Results
| Runner Details | Win | Place |
|---|---|---|
|
1st
6. Garachico (4)
J: Billy Egan 54kg
T: Dominic Sutton |
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2nd
10. Newfoundland (3)
J: Jamie Kah 53kg
T: G Waterhouse & A Bott |
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3rd
7. Whisky On The Hill (6)
J: Ethan Brown 54kg
T: Michael Moroney & Glen Thompson |
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4th
13. Quantum Cat (5)
J: Craig Williams 53kg
T: Chris Waller |
Data retrieved: 05/11/2024 11:04:34 PM (Australia/Brisbane)
Race comments
WHISKY ON THE HILL (7) won two in a row prior to last start when heavily backed to win the G3 Bendigo Cup which ultimately didn't come off, finishing 10th. Better placed here and that market support was telling. HIT THE ROAD JACK (1) tackled the G3 Geelong Cup last time and faded having been racing in fine form prior. His run in The Archer here three back is excellent form for this. NEWFOUNDLAND (10) is on the up with two consecutive wins in Sydney over 2400m. He can measure right up. MR WATERVILLE (4) ran second to The Map in this last year and did enough fresh in a slowly run race.
Race 6 (1:55pm) $175,000 Listed Furphy Plate (1800 METRES)
SCRATCHED:
- 7. Jimi Hendrix (4) SCRATCHED @ 4/11, 4:08 pm
- 12. Maktoob (9) SCRATCHED @ 5/11, 6:12 am
- 13. Behtar (3) SCRATCHED @ 5/11, 6:12 am
Furphy Plate 2024 Odds & Results
| Runner Details | Win | Place |
|---|---|---|
|
1st
5. Arran Bay (10)
J: Luke Nolen 57kg
T: Phillip Stokes |
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2nd
1. Unspoken (8)
J: Damian Lane 60kg
T: Peter Snowden |
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3rd
8. Apulia (3)
J: Mark Zahra 56.5kg
T: Ben, Will & Jd Hayes |
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4th
11. Strawberry Rock (9)
J: Ben Melham 54kg
T: Ciaron Maher |
Data retrieved: 05/11/2024 11:04:34 PM (Australia/Brisbane)
Race comments
Competitive affair. APULIA (8) returned with an excellent run at Moonee Valley on Cox Plate eve, charging home from back in the field to be beaten a head over 1500m. He's a G2 winner as a 3yo who went within a nose of beating Riff Rocket in a Derby this time last year. CAFE MILLENIUM (10) hasn't won since his debut run but has run in some good races and stuck on well in a decent race at Randwick last time out. The inside draw may not be ideal but the big track and 1800m look very suitable. EARL OF TYRONE (6) made his Australian debut in the Seymour Cup and ran on beautifully for second. Any rise in trip will suit given he's two miler overseas. MIDNIGHT BLUE (3) won the Seymour Cup well and he too will only be suited up in trip. ARRAN BAY (5) can give a sight.
Race 7 (3:00pm) $8,560,000 Group 1 Lexus Melbourne Cup (3200 METRES)
SCRATCHED:
- 10. Athabascan (2) SCRATCHED @ 4/11, 5:43 pm
Melbourne Cup 2024 Odds & Results
| Runner Details | Win | Place |
|---|---|---|
|
1st
11. Knight's Choice (5)
J: Robbie Dolan 51.5kg
T: J G Symons & S Laxon |
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2nd
4. Warp Speed (2)
J: Akira Sugawara 54.5kg
T: N Takagi |
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3rd
12. Okita Soushi (9)
J: Jamie Kah 51kg
T: Ciaron Maher |
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4th
14. Zardozi (3)
J: Andrea Atzeni 51kg
T: James Cummings |
Data retrieved: 05/11/2024 11:04:25 PM (Australia/Brisbane)
Race comments
The Melbourne Cup. Plenty of betting angles as usual, with one being whether BUCKAROO (2) will run 3200m strongly. Gelded this campaign, he's been outstanding in defeat at his past two starts, nosed out by Via Sistina in the G1 Turnbull Stakes before charging into second in the G1 Caulfield Cup. That looked a perfect Cup trial, the gamble is whether that translates to two miles. VAUBAN (1) returns to Flemington having started favourite in this race last year and failing. He's coming off a tough second to a superstar in Kyprios and if he handles the occasion, he'll just about win. INTERPRETATION (18) has a sense of timing. He's flown home at his past two and was excellent from a long way back here last year. KOVALICA (5) is very interesting out to a trip, which we haven't seen since his G1 Queensland Derby win. He's got the ability. ONESMOOTHOPERATOR (13) and SEA KING (15) were both excellent at their local debuts and come here with genuine chances.
Race 8 (3:50pm) Listed $175,000 The Amanda Elliott (1400 METRES)
SCRATCHED:
- 2. Kuroyanagi (2) SCRATCHED @ 2/11, 6:04 pm
- 3. Depth Of Character (11) SCRATCHED @ 4/11, 8:16 am
- 11. Titanium Miss (10) SCRATCHED @ 4/11, 7:12 am
The Amanda Elliott 2024 Odds & Results
| Runner Details | Win | Place |
|---|---|---|
|
1st
14. Catoggio (7)
J: Jye McNeil 54kg
T: G Waterhouse & A Bott |
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2nd
1. Bosustow (11)
J: James McDonald 60kg
T: Annabel Neasham & Rob Archibald |
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3rd
4. Supercilious (12)
J: Damian Lane 54kg
T: L & T Corstens & W Larkin |
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4th
13. Stage 'N' Screen (8)
J: Michael Dee 54kg
T: Mark Walker |
Data retrieved: 05/11/2024 11:04:34 PM (Australia/Brisbane)
Race comments
EXTREMELY HARDYS (5) is unbeaten from two starts, dominant on wet ground on debut and resuming with a strong win at short odds at Randwick Kensington. She'll need to improve again but looks primed to do so from the soft draw and Moreira on. CHEWING GUM (8) was big odds at Caulfield last time but caught the eye with a big finish from the tail to grab second over 1200m. She looks well placed out to 1400m from a soft draw. SUPERCILIOUS (4) has been racing well of late, running on well at Moonee Valley behind a nice filly last time. Out to 1400m should suit. MEDIA WORLD (6) has been racing some very good horses in Sydney and looks much better placed at this level. BIG SWINGER (7) has looked very good in two wins to date and can measure up.
Race 9 (4:35pm) Group 3 $200,000 The Hong Kong Jockey Club Stakes (1400 METRES)
SCRATCHED:
- 7. Poifect (17) SCRATCHED @ 5/11, 6:22 am
- 11. Running By (13) SCRATCHED @ 5/11, 6:22 am
- 13. Mollynickers (14) SCRATCHED @ 5/11, 2:53 am
- 15. Anahita (20) SCRATCHED @ 5/11, 5:52 am
- 17. So Glamorous (16) SCRATCHED @ 5/11, 3:52 am
- 20. Flying Fizz (6) SCRATCHED @ 5/11, 6:32 am
The Hong Kong Jockey Club Stakes 2024 Odds & Results
| Runner Details | Win | Place |
|---|---|---|
|
1st
12. Fancify (11)
J: Joe Bowditch 55kg
T: Michael Hickmott |
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2nd
2. Tiz Invincible (6)
J: Jamie Kah 58kg
T: Ciaron Maher |
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3rd
4. Konasana (10)
J: James McDonald 57kg
T: Chris Waller |
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4th
5. Aviatress (4)
J: Craig Williams 57kg
T: R & C Jolly |
Data retrieved: 05/11/2024 11:04:34 PM (Australia/Brisbane)
Race comments
AVIATRESS (5) had been threatening to win a good race for a while and looks to have put it all together, winning well in Adelaide two back before putting a hole in her rivals in the G3 Northwood Plume at Caulfield in fast time. The form out of that race is strong, she just needs to run the 1400m strongly to be going close. FANCIFY (12) was a smart winner fresh at Murray Bridge over 1200m and will be even better suited to this trip. She's got a great winning record and did win easily over this route last time in, albeit in a BM78. MISS ARIA (9) is flying, coming through all the right races. She draws ideally and will be fighting out the finish. BIZOT (16) was good behind AVIATRESS last time and has claims.
Race 10 (5:15pm) $150,000 Channel 9 Trophy (1400 METRES)
SCRATCHED:
2. Dashing (14) SCRATCHED @ 4/11, 11:02 am
4. Chorlton Lane (15) SCRATCHED @ 3/11, 5:23 pm
5. Snow Patrol (11) SCRATCHED @ 4/11, 7:12 am
8. Meridius (13) SCRATCHED @ 4/11, 3:02 pm
Channel 9 Trophy 2024 Odds & Results
| Runner Details | Win | Place |
|---|---|---|
|
1st
13. Bel Air (5)
J: Ben Melham 56kg
T: A & S Freedman |
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2nd
14. Is It Me (11)
J: Celine Gaudray 54kg
T: Daniel Bowman |
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3rd
12. Warnie (4)
J: Ethan Brown 57kg
T: Ciaron Maher |
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4th
11. Marble Arch (7)
J: Michael Dee 57kg
T: Ben, Will & Jd Hayes |
Data retrieved: 05/11/2024 11:04:35 PM (Australia/Brisbane)
Race comments
IS IT ME (14) is a consistent gelding who ran on nicely first-up at Caulfield over 1100m behind a smart horse in Nadal, beaten two lengths in third. He hasn't won at 1400m but did run fourth to Gentleman Roy at Sandown prior to a spell which is good enough to win this. RHEINBERG (3) resumes. He's another ultra-consistent type with a strong profile and McDonald takes the ride. WARNIE (12) won at his local debut here over 1200m and the rise to this trip will suit. He's got some upside and will take beating again. MARBLE ARCH (11) was poor last time but won well fresh and is usually consistent. Should bounce back.
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Race comments
Tricky race to kick off Melbourne Cup day. PRICE TAG (10) is a well-bred filly who was hard in the market on debut here and ran on well for third, beaten under a length. That race experience should be key here, expecting she improves. SHINING SMILE (1) ran well just ahead of PRICE TAG on debut here and has genuine claims based on that performance. TYCOON STAR (9) is a colt by Written Tycoon on debut for the Hayes yard who has won a jump-out leading in. He should measure up. PRESTAR (5) is a Zoustar colt for the McEvoy yard on debut who looked smart winning a jump out recently and can figure.