Melbourne Cup 2008
November 4th 2008 05:47
Like you would write down a dream upon wakening - these are my thoughts just moments after the Melbourne Cup of 2008.
Last year it seemed certain that team Cumani would win the Melbourne Cup when Purple Moon swept to the lead - only to be run down by a withering finishing burst by the grey Efficient.
(photo: Sebastian Costanzo The Age)
Move ahead 12 months. Bart Cummings trained (and ridden by Blake Shinn) Viewed had followed his gathering momentum and swept to the lead at the top of the straight when the kamikaze tactics of the Ballydoyle trinity proved to be a proposition of false worship. Viewed was clear - but the Luca Cumani trained (grey horse) Bauer was closing. Relentlessly. One hundred metres to go and it looked for certain that it would be consecutive grey victories - and this time reversing the fortunes of Cumani.
With 50 metres to go the tail of Bauer started to flick and wave - a telltale sign of a horse who has spent all. Not that Viewed had any reserves either. They now both ran to the line on momentum. Strides together. A finish as close as Delta Blues and Pop Rock.
Bart Cummings would win his 12th Melbourne Cup. At his advancing age this must have meant a great deal as Bart’s normally cool exterior had melted and settled as pools in his eyes. The interviews immediately after the race were to be short as he went in search of his composure.
This was the fourth time Bart has trained a Melbourne Cup winner for owner Dato Tan Chin Nam - who now has Cup victories with Viewed; Saintly and Think Big twice.
What was Aidan O’Brien thinking when he gave instructions for three pacemakers - instead of his usual one?! Admittedly the intention was to break the heart of those giving chase - and prove the superiority of the European staying thoroughbred - but it was a plan that needed a bit more subtlety.
Even if it was the plan to make it a test of stamina and endurance beyond the norm, it would have been logical to allow one of your stable to gain cover in the pack and try to finish the race off strongly. It does appear that Luca Cumani (well aided by Francesca) knows exactly the type of horse -and type of ride - needed to be competitive in (even if still yet to win) a Melbourne Cup. Aidan O'Brien is still learning. The three jockeys from stable Ballydoyle appeared not to understand the tempo that would be necessary to enable a horse to do better than be near the lead (and wilting) turning for home.
Johnny Murtagh has proven his ability all around the world - and has spent time riding in Sydney when younger. After a slow start with an ordinary ride on Tears I Cry on Derby Day, he today settled into the Australian rhythm with an excellent tactical (and well timed) ride on Hips Don’t Lie to win narrowly. But why would he be later chasing the speed on Septimus - set by his stablemates - so hard. A sitting shot leading. A sitting shot second. (and still again) A sitting shot third. All shots fired before turning for home. They would all be 'sitting down' in the straight.
The hectic speed did ensure that favourite Mad Rush settled much further back than preferred. Damien Oliver finding difficulty in getting clear running - but he found the line well - but not with any zip or zeal. Barbaricus made the Irish trio work even harder as he kicked up to hold them out going out of the straight the first time. Stephen Baster may have been forgiven for thinking that they knew what they were doing - but now he knows they didn’t. The first four out were the last four home.
Master O’Reilly ran home boldly from well back - this year proving that he gets the 3200m and that last year he was jaded by racing and not really lacking staying ability.
Viewed started at $41. Bauer was a $21 chance, as was third-placed C’Est La Guerre.
Where they finished:
1. Viewed
2. Bauer
3. C'est La Guerre
4. Master O'Reilly
5. Profound Beauty
6. Moatize
7. Mad Rush
8. Nom du Jeu
9. Zipping
10. Newport
11. Ice Chariot
12. Guyno
13. Littorio
14. Varevees
15. Boundless
16. Red Lord
17. Prize Lady
18. Septimus
19. Barbaricus
20. Alessandro Volta
21. Honolulu (last)
Gallopin failed to finish
Last year it seemed certain that team Cumani would win the Melbourne Cup when Purple Moon swept to the lead - only to be run down by a withering finishing burst by the grey Efficient.
Viewed holds out Bauer to win the Melbourne Cup
(photo: Sebastian Costanzo The Age)
Move ahead 12 months. Bart Cummings trained (and ridden by Blake Shinn) Viewed had followed his gathering momentum and swept to the lead at the top of the straight when the kamikaze tactics of the Ballydoyle trinity proved to be a proposition of false worship. Viewed was clear - but the Luca Cumani trained (grey horse) Bauer was closing. Relentlessly. One hundred metres to go and it looked for certain that it would be consecutive grey victories - and this time reversing the fortunes of Cumani.
With 50 metres to go the tail of Bauer started to flick and wave - a telltale sign of a horse who has spent all. Not that Viewed had any reserves either. They now both ran to the line on momentum. Strides together. A finish as close as Delta Blues and Pop Rock.
Bart Cummings would win his 12th Melbourne Cup. At his advancing age this must have meant a great deal as Bart’s normally cool exterior had melted and settled as pools in his eyes. The interviews immediately after the race were to be short as he went in search of his composure.
This was the fourth time Bart has trained a Melbourne Cup winner for owner Dato Tan Chin Nam - who now has Cup victories with Viewed; Saintly and Think Big twice.
What was Aidan O’Brien thinking when he gave instructions for three pacemakers - instead of his usual one?! Admittedly the intention was to break the heart of those giving chase - and prove the superiority of the European staying thoroughbred - but it was a plan that needed a bit more subtlety.
Even if it was the plan to make it a test of stamina and endurance beyond the norm, it would have been logical to allow one of your stable to gain cover in the pack and try to finish the race off strongly. It does appear that Luca Cumani (well aided by Francesca) knows exactly the type of horse -and type of ride - needed to be competitive in (even if still yet to win) a Melbourne Cup. Aidan O'Brien is still learning. The three jockeys from stable Ballydoyle appeared not to understand the tempo that would be necessary to enable a horse to do better than be near the lead (and wilting) turning for home.
Johnny Murtagh has proven his ability all around the world - and has spent time riding in Sydney when younger. After a slow start with an ordinary ride on Tears I Cry on Derby Day, he today settled into the Australian rhythm with an excellent tactical (and well timed) ride on Hips Don’t Lie to win narrowly. But why would he be later chasing the speed on Septimus - set by his stablemates - so hard. A sitting shot leading. A sitting shot second. (and still again) A sitting shot third. All shots fired before turning for home. They would all be 'sitting down' in the straight.
The hectic speed did ensure that favourite Mad Rush settled much further back than preferred. Damien Oliver finding difficulty in getting clear running - but he found the line well - but not with any zip or zeal. Barbaricus made the Irish trio work even harder as he kicked up to hold them out going out of the straight the first time. Stephen Baster may have been forgiven for thinking that they knew what they were doing - but now he knows they didn’t. The first four out were the last four home.
Master O’Reilly ran home boldly from well back - this year proving that he gets the 3200m and that last year he was jaded by racing and not really lacking staying ability.
Viewed started at $41. Bauer was a $21 chance, as was third-placed C’Est La Guerre.
Where they finished:
1. Viewed
2. Bauer
3. C'est La Guerre
4. Master O'Reilly
5. Profound Beauty
6. Moatize
7. Mad Rush
8. Nom du Jeu
9. Zipping
10. Newport
11. Ice Chariot
12. Guyno
13. Littorio
14. Varevees
15. Boundless
16. Red Lord
17. Prize Lady
18. Septimus
19. Barbaricus
20. Alessandro Volta
21. Honolulu (last)
Gallopin failed to finish
| 29 |
| Vote |
Shared on
Subscribe to this blog
