1 – Gold Trip – $16

Carrying the top weight is the obvious concern, he’s had an unlucky preparation just losing the Caulfield Cup at the death, and copping a less than perfect ride in the Cox Plate. The ‘Cock sees him as a top 5 chance, but a rung below the winning hopes.

2 – Duais – $31

Duais hasn’t been at her brilliant best this preparation and doesn’t look up to winning this. If the rain comes it’s another concern, and The ‘Cock is happy to risk her here.

3 – Knights Order – $21

An honest grinder who has no choice but to go forward from the outside gate, should find the lead and will stay all day. Doesn’t have the brilliance of some of these, but will make his own luck and could be in the finish with all things going right for him.

4 – Montefilia – $12

Rocketed home in the Caulfield Cup, and with the way she finished off, The ‘Cock will look to have her as a winning result on the race.

5 – Numerian – $71

Has had a limited preparation and isn’t travelling well enough. No.

6 – Without A Fight – $12

Rates well for The ‘Cock and is in this up to its eyeballs. The ‘Cock has marked him in single figures, and will have this international raider as a winning result.

7 – Camorra – $51

Isn’t quite bringing the same form lines and level of performance that the other internationals boast. Is still a top 5 chance with everything going its way.

8 – Deauville Legend – $3.60

The ‘Cock’s top rater, brings elite European form and with even luck should be winning against a less than vintage Melbourne Cup field. The odds are getting tight, but he’s the clear top pick here.

9 – Stockman – $31

Has had a strange preparation up and down in distance, not up to this.

10 – Vow And Declare – $26

Would need to go above and beyond what it did two years ago to take out this year’s edition. Hasn’t been travelling as well, but could come into top 5 calculations with luck in transit.

11 – Young Werther – $34

Stayer that The ‘Cock has always held a high opinion of, has been rock solid this preparation and this appears to be the grand final. The ‘Cock has marked him near single figures, and will be having this galloper as a winning result in the race.

12 – Hoo Ya Mal – $16

Inconsistent, enigmatic international whose best could certainly challenge, but is also prone to turning in the odd shocker of a performance. Certainly a top 5 chance, but it’s difficult to back this horse with confidence.

13 – Serpentine – $81

The price tells the tale.

14 – Daqiansweet Junior – $41

Not up to this.

15 – Grand Promenade – $91

You could add a zero to the price and The ‘Cock still wouldn’t be interested.

16 – Arapaho – $81

The ‘Cock is giving this horse a little more credit than the market is, could sneak a top 10 with things going right.

17 – Emissary – $35

Big Geelong cup win gives it some hope of placing if it can replicate that level of performance against a much better field.

18 – Lunar Flare – $21

The ‘Cock has followed this horse this preparation and has it rated midfield, another who could sneak into top 5 calculations with continued improvement.

19 – Smokin’ Romans – $17

Failed in the Caulfield Cup after sneaking some cheap Group 1s early in the spring. The ‘Cock has marked it longer than the current price.

20 – Tralee Rose – $91

Would need to start running now to have a chance.

22 – High Emocean – $41

Would need everything right to scrape into the top 10.

23 – Interpretation – $41

Not here.

24 – Real Of Flowers – $10

Could figure in the top half of the field, but The ‘Cock finds the current quote too short to entertain.

Staking Plan

Assuming you have $1000 to stake.

$750 on Deauville Legend @ $3.60

$100 on Montefilia @ $12

$100 on Without A Fight @ $12

$50 on Young Werther @ $34