The 2023 Melbourne Cup Field: A Comprehensive Analysis

The 2023 Melbourne Cup, Australia's most prestigious horse race, is set to take place on November 7th at Flemington Racecourse. As the excitement builds towards this iconic event, let's delve into a comprehensive analysis of the Melbourne Cup field.

The Runners and Their Form

The Melbourne Cup field consists of 24 horses representing a diverse range of countries, including Australia, Ireland, the United Kingdom, and New Zealand. Each horse brings its unique strengths and weaknesses to the race, making it a captivating spectacle for both racing enthusiasts and casual observers.

First-timers and Previous Winners:

This year's field features 11 first-time starters, including Anamoe and Moonee Valley Gold Cup, while eight horses have previously run in the Melbourne Cup. Among the previous winners is Vow and Declare, who won the race in 2019, and Duais, who finished second in 2022.

Weights and Barriers

The weights and barriers for the Melbourne Cup were released on October 24th. The topweight of 58 kilograms was assigned to Gold Trip, while the lightest weight of 50 kilograms was given to Realm of Flowers and Zapateo.

The barrier draw took place on October 26th, with Incentivise drawing the coveted barrier 1, while El Bodegon drew the outside barrier, barrier 24.

Market Predictions

According to the latest odds from Ladbrokes, Anamoe is the clear favorite, with a price of $2.40. He is followed by Gold Trip at $6.50, Duais at $8.50, and Incentivise at $10.

Key Contenders

Based on their recent form, class, and fitness, several horses stand out as key contenders for the 2023 Melbourne Cup:

• Anamoe: The current champion of Australian racing, Anamoe won the Cox Plate and Moonee Valley Gold Cup in impressive fashion. He looks unbeatable at the moment and is shaping up as the horse to beat.
• Gold Trip: A seasoned international performer, Gold Trip has placed in several Group 1 races this season. He will appreciate the step up in distance and has a good record at Flemington.
• Duais: A consistent performer and one of the best stayers in Australia, Duais finished second in last year's Melbourne Cup and has been in solid form since.
• El Bodegon: A proven performer over long distances, El Bodegon won the Sydney Cup earlier this year. He has a strong finishing burst and will be a threat if he can get a clear run.
• Incentivise: A rising star of Australian racing, Incentivise has won his last five starts, including the Caulfield Cup. He is still relatively inexperienced at the highest level, but his potential is undeniable.

Stories to Watch

Beyond the individual horses, there are several compelling storylines to follow in the 2023 Melbourne Cup:

• Anamoe's Quest for History: Anamoe has the chance to become the first horse since Phar Lap in 1930 to win both the Cox Plate and Melbourne Cup in the same year.
• The Return of Vow and Declare: Vow and Declare won the Melbourne Cup in 2019 and will be looking to repeat his success. He is one of the most popular horses in the country and will have a legion of fans cheering him on.
• The Impact of International Runners: There are a total of six international runners in the Melbourne Cup this year, the most since 2019. They will all be hoping to make their mark on the iconic race.

How to Watch

The Melbourne Cup will be broadcast live on Channel 10 in Australia and on various international networks around the world.

Conclusion

The 2023 Melbourne Cup promises to be a thrilling spectacle, with a competitive field of horses and several compelling storylines. Anamoe stands out as the clear favorite, but there are several other contenders capable of causing an upset. The race is sure to provide plenty of drama and excitement, and the winner will be etched into the history books of Australian racing.

Tables

Table 1: Melbourne Cup Field