Today’s the day of the race that stops the nation and PlayUp’s form analyst Lewis Willoughby has shared his thoughts on who to pick and who to avoid. Take a look and get your bets in now!
Keen
Backing #11 Finche in the 2020 Melbourne Cup on an each-way basis $18.00/$5.00 at PlayUp, as I think he represents some great value around the $20 mark. He has been racing extremely well this prep without much luck, constantly finding himself parked three wide without cover racing up near the speed. He finished 5th in the Caulfield Cup last start, but was gallantly fighting through the line. Two starts back he was only 0.2L off Verry Elleegant, and comes into this years cup off a very similar campaign to last year. In the 2019 edition, he started favourite, and was only beaten 1.4L on the line by Vow And Declare. From barrier 6 today, he finally maps to run with some cover just in behind the speed, and with James McDonald only carrying 54.5kg, I think he will be right in the finish. Such an honest horse who will give his all.
Savers
#1 Anthony Van Dyck $9.50 at PlayUp – Was a huge run in the Caulfield Cup, finishing 2nd behind Verry Elleegant. Second up now fitter, out to 3200m and will have improved lengths off the last start run. Drawn perfectly in barrier three.
#13 Surprise Baby $8.00 at PlayUp – Very unlucky in the G1 Turnbull last start, held up for a run in the straight. Was enormous in the Cup last year, and has been aimed back at it ever since, and maps perfectly from barrier seven.
#19 Warning $51.00 at PlayUp – Way over the odds here, completely forget the run in the Caulfield Cup last start, and go off his enormous effort in the Turnbull two runs back. Returning to Flemington is ideal, he will eat up the 3200m.
Against
#21 Tiger Moth $6.50 at PlayUp – Cannot get the favourite as short as it is, a northern hemisphere 3yo with only four career starts leading into the Cup. Drawn horribly in barrier 23, and although breeding suggests he will get 3200m, I think this is all coming too soon for the young horse. Needs more time!
