Quite right Stugots,

While difficult to see these imports running the tri, I'll take it nonetheless. In the rare event they salute, we'll bank a fortune!!

As for Winning Belle? According to history, and Bart Cumming's, mares don't back up well from runs on the Saturday prior. Still, Winning Belle's lightly raced and with the 80/1 available on Betfair have had a coverer.

Don Raphael? Well, he's travelled 20.5 kilometers prior to coming in to the cup. That's well above the average lead up. The only winner to have covered such distance prior was Media Puzzle. Still, huge odds available on this happening.

Certainly, if the bookies are to be believed, then history will be made on Tuesday.

Makbye Diva will need to overcome enormous historical obstacles. No mare has won a Melb Cup carrying this weight. The nearest was the giant Empire Rose that carried 53.5 kgs. No mare has won the cup two years in a row. And, no Sydney Cup winner has won the Melbourne Cup in the same year. Given that there's been
144 Melbourne Cups, I'd be looking for odds of 144/1.

Vinnie Roe's topweight, carrying 58 kgs. Historically, around 50/1 might tempt me.

Having said that, these two (at least according to the bookies) will run the quinella.

Ever compared the cars in the bookies to the cars in the punters carpark?

Say no more!!