It feels like yesterday we were talking about last year’s thrilling instalment of the race that stops the nation. The 2024 iteration of the Melbourne Cup is set to be one of the tightest in recent years. Every horse has reasons they can win, and reasons they can’t.
Everyone will know the answers after the race, but here are some pointers to help you beforehand. 1. VAUBAN Trainer: Willie Mullins Jockey: William Buick Record at 2800m+: 15: 5-5-2 Pros: Vauban is the most proven stayer in this field, in a race where eight horses have never run at 2800m or more and another six haven’t won at those sort of trips.
He brings very similar form to last year’s Melbourne Cup, where he started favourite, and this is a weaker race. Cons: Vauban could do no better than 14th in the Cup last year, and in fact was the first horse beaten after being taken to the lead at the 400m. Was the track too firm for him there? Because he’ll get the same conditions again.
Can he win? Absolutely. 2. BUCKAROO Trainer: Chris Waller Jockey: Joao Moreira Record at 2800m+: 0: 0-0-0 Pros: Apart from Cox Plate Via Sistina, who is not in this race, there is no horse in the country in better form than Buckaroo.
His three lead-up runs into the Cup, winning the Underwood Stakes and fast finishing seconds in the Turnbull Stakes and Caulfield Cup, are as good as you could want leading into a Melbourne Cup. Cons: Buckaroo has never raced over a genuine staying trip, with two runs at 2400m as far as he has gone.
