Cup tips to swear by.... or over!!
Melbourne Cup
The top tipsters of Port Douglas have had their say on the Melbourne Cup… well the four blokes having a punt on Sunday at The Court House who were brave enough to cop blame for poor tips post the race that stops the nation tomorrow.
On form, Ralph Schulz may be the best option to follow.
“Last year I got the trifecta as part of a syndicate and took home $2800,” he said.
“It would be good to land that again.
“You know what though, it really is just pick a number and this year, I pick number 12.”
That has Ralph down for Hopewell Rock, trained by George Boughey and ridden by Zac Lloyd, the gelding is back from a spell and is a progressive stayer with the right form lines, the experts saying it’s a strong winning chance.
Kiwi Paul Parrant played a cryptic game with his tip, and trusted his instinct to slip hot prospect Trustyourinstinct into the conversation but go with a bet from the heart, and his home country.
“I like number 24, Shockletz,” he said.
“It’s a New Zealand horse with a good jockey in Harry Coffey and Ciaron Maher as trainer, and it’s primed to go from barrier 17.”
You too can be forgiven if you thought Paul is a racing expert from that advice. He has, though, been to three Melbourne Cups and plans to attend a packed Tin Shed race day event tomorrow.
John Starrett didn’t pretend to be an expert and tipped the favourite Point of Law, number 20, “because Paul just showed me”.
Shaun Tansley has gone with Knights Choice, the number 3 horse and 2024 shock winner of the Cup. Jockey and part time singer, Robbie Dolan, is back in the saddle for this year’s race.
“I think it's got a good barrier and at the odds it is at, it is a good each way bet,” Shaun said.
And a tip from a guy with a paddock full of ex racehorses - aside from never think it is a good idea to take up farrier work - is to not study the form guide for the Melbourne Cup but go with the names and numbers that grab your attention because the horses don’t know who is favourite on paper.
A sure bet is that the winner will have a great story behind its journey there.
My tips are Point of Law, because Alice Springs jockey Ethan Brown’s story is one of resilience; Middle Earth for the name; and my footy number 17, Future History with Jamie Melham in the saddle after last year’s winner Half Yours was ruled out due to a fall in the Caulfield Cup.
Enjoy the day. Gamble responsibly.