DUNADEN WINS THE 2011 MELBOURNE CUP! |
| The two horses at the line, Lucas Cranach was 3rd and Americain 4th. |
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| Dunaden (top) wins the 2011 Melbourne Cup by a hair over Red Cadeaux |
1st - Dunaden (in a photo finish)
2nd - Red Cadeaux
3rd - Lucas Cranach
4th - Americain
Pre-Race Article - NOW UPDATED with final field on Tuesday November 1.
The Bluffer's Guide to the 2011 Melbourne CupBy W D Nicolson October 28, 2011
Welcome to the 4th Annual 'Bluffer's Guide to the Melbourne Cup'.
And for the fourth straight year - we guarantee at the very least a placing from our cutting edge predictions.
In 2008 - Bauer was picked to run 2nd and did.
In 2009 - Shocking was picked to run 4th and won.
And last year, in 2010 - Maluckyday was picked to run 2nd and did, So You Think was picked to run 1st and was 3rd, Americain was picked to run 5th and won and Harris Tweed was picked to run 3rd and finished 5th)
So we offer you moderately decent selections, or at the very least; an entertaining read.
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| Americain won the Cup last year. |
Actually that's a little harsh, given our record (mentioned and linked 2008 2009 2010), but if you're about to spend ridiculous amounts of money on the punt - this is not the guide for you.
Or maybe it is. Because honestly - you're guess is as good as the rest of ours when it comes to Melbourne Cup day.
As we stress here on www.wdnicolson.com every year, think long and hard about what you could spend (or save) the excessive money you punt with on Melbourne Cup day - because the odds are never in your favour.
Anyhoo, to the Bluffer's Guide for another year and each horse has its current Sportingbet prices listed next to the horse's name and then you can read the Scouting Report. Note: the field will be cut down on Saturday October 29 and horse/jockey colours will be added Monday.
Now all horses are listed in barrier order... 1 through 24, actual horse number is next to the name.
(Those horses listed below the field were scouted prior to the final field being culled)
AMERICAIN #15 @ $4.80JUKEBOX JURY #6 @ $12This is a horse that knows how to win, all you need to do is give it a bash on the side down the straight and it'll romp home. Ayyyy...
DUNADEN #13 @ $7.50Is currently second favourite behind AMERICAIN and although it might be a dyslexic take on a Lord of the Rings reference... wait, have to stop myself there, didn't spell dislexic right the first time. Thank you Google Chrome for the auto spell check, and google for telling me the condition may in fact be dyslexic dysgraphia instead. Who knew? Big chance.
DRUNKEN SAILOR #8 @ $35You know the tune...
GLASS HARMONIUM #23 @ $35I'm not 100% sure what a harmonium is exactly but if this horse wins the Cup - the owners will be able to buy a one of the gold variety with the winnings.
MANIGHAR #21 @ $41Got nothing, but in my defence I am 21 horses in and I was bound to hit a roadblock at some stage. (Turns out the horse ran last year - "Sounds like it was named after a character in the Lion King... some sections of the crowd may be roaring for it to get up." - it didn't.)
UNUSUAL SUSPECT #7 @ $35This is NOT Keyser Söze... can't you read?
FOX HUNT #19 @ $31Something tells me this horse might be better suited to the English Countryside...
LUCAS CRANACH #11 @ $10Fairly short odds for 'The Nudist'. A quick google search will leave no doubt what this renaissance painter like to paint, or more accurately what he didn't paint. Given the horse races practically nude, it should be in its element.
MOURAYAN #14 @ $16 - SCRATCHEDCould be better in the slop... in fact Kramer may have heard about its chances already... http://youtu.be/z0umYspP3_4 (If you haven't got there yet - More Rain = Mour-rayan)
PRECEDENCE #2 @ $35Looking at the actual form this horse gives you no previous reasons to think it might actually win.
RED CADEAUX #16 @ $31Means 'Red Gift' apparently... you might like to receive one if you back it at $23.
HAWK ISLAND #18 @ $101Since when is a horse going to be any good coming from an island populated mostly with hawks?
ILLO #1 @ $15I like licking Oreos.
LOST IN THE MOMENT #3 @ $35There are so many good things to say about this horse.... oh, I'm sorry, I got ____ __ ___ ______.
MODUN #5 @ $21If Rugby League supercoach Jack Gibson was still with us, he'd wrap up a Modun victory with "Played strong, Modun good." PS. A Jack Gibson book is now available by Andrew Webster, I would like a copy.
AT FIRST SIGHT #10 @ $15Still haven't seen this horse in the flesh so it is hard to tell you whether I'm impressed or not, if you're at the track I guess you'll have a better chance at being impressed with its chances.
MOYENNE CORNICHE #17 @ $26If the sun is out this horse might struggle... it's a bit pasty. Or if you don't like the Cornish pastie reference... this is lovely with a tossed salad on a hot summer's day. (Hello Quiche lovers, no you don't get left out.)
SAPTAPADI #22 @ $101It's just fun to say, Sap-ta-padi. Try it. Out loud.
SHAMROCKER #24 @ $51Sounds like it is the next new utensil sensation from the Sham-Wow guy... http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QwRISkyV_B8 - Quick Question - do you have one?
THE VERMINATOR #4 @ $126Something tells me the owners of this horse enjoyed the American Pie movie series... which in other 'movie news' is coming back for another instalment. And to think they almost finished that series with some class with the wedding one... I said almost.
TULLAMORE #12 @ $21This horse has an Irish Festival held in its honour in western New South Wales over the Easter Weekend every year... So it might get lucky and snag a place.
NIWOT #9 @ $13Never invest with other's tips.
OLDER THAN TIME #20 @ $151Might take a while to finish... weak, apologies.
(I reserve the right to change once the final field is set, will lock in my selections by Tuesday 3pm)
1st - Americain; the champ repeats.
2nd - Tullamore; Go with the Irish.
3rd - Jukebox Jury; the quality of the name says it all.
Others -
4th - Dunaden; unnatural long life = stayer.
5th - Lucas Cranach ('On' The Nudist)
6th - At First Sight (On second thoughts...)
Roughie - Tullamore at $21 or Fox Hunt at $31.
HORSES that didn't get a run in the final field...
ANUDJAWUN $201Another one you could back and lose your money on... get it Anud-ja-wun... phonetics people.
BACK IN BLACK 351.00Insert typical AC/DC reference here...
BAUER $15Came 2nd in a close one in 2008 and is back for another crack at the Cup. We referenced 24's Jack Bauer in the 2008 'Bluffer's Guide' and beyond the ice hockey gear manufacturer - those references will have to do for now. Decent price.
BOOMING $71At $71 it is hard to imagine the market will be booming with interest for this horse.
COSMONAUT $251Scrubs' fans will 'thank me later' for this link... http://youtu.be/8kQ7WWvNLJQ?t=4m39s 'Noted'.
GALIZANI $71Wasn't he the Mayor of New York City at some point?
GREEN MOON $18The Pride of Endor. Enough said.
IRONSTEIN $201Oh I get it... pity the theory of relativity suggests this horse at $201 is utterly no hope.
LAMASERY $151Sadly there is no truth to the rumour that 'His Holiness' will be riding on Tuesday...
MACEDONIAN $51Wouldn't it be great if the jockey riding this horse was called Alexander?
MIDAS TOUCH $21If it wins (and at $21 it very well could) then the PA system better be blaring Stan Bush's 1985 smash hit 'The Touch' throughout the celebrations. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AZKpByV5764 (Do it)
MIDNIGHT MARTINI $101Did you hear that they are in fact making a 3rd James Bond movie with Daniel Craig? Not that it has much to do with the chances of the horse in question - but given the name, I thought it was more interesting to tell you that than to try and talk up a $101 shot.
RAFFELLO $351I hear he's the new 'Hulk' for 'The Avengers' movie... Eric Bana and Edward Norton are not losing any sleep over losing this role. You shouldn't lose any money betting on a $351 shot either.
REPRISAL $351Not going to happen this, or any other time. Nothing to fear here.
SHEWAN $71Is she a she and will she win? Answer is no to both questions.
SHOWCAUSE $201At $201 you'd have to be extremely convincing to show any cause that this horse should be backed.
SPECHENKA $301Richie Benaud would enjoy saying this name as it races down the straight... but that straight won't be at Flemington if the horse is $301 - as that means it is long odds to even get a run. Marvellous.
TACTIC $301Not a good one.
TANBY $51Actually running pretty well of late but will not feature. Went with actual form because I can't find a reference worthwhile. Considered a Ryan Tandy angle but didn't want to concede a penalty right in front after knocking on with my first touch from the kick-off.
TWO FOR TEA $401The Melbourne Cup is run at 3pm on Tuesday, just about the time for afternoon tea and this horse will be available to partake in the latter, because at $401 it will not be running in the former.
WESTERN SYMBOL $201The final horse alphabetically and 45 horses later I'm done. No love for The Artist Formerly Known As Prince, see I actually managed something even when it looked like I was out of references.
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