Distinctly Secret appeals to me as the best hope of the Aussies. Should have been right in the finish of the Caulfield Cup if it wasn't for having a run closed between horses...and still only finished a length away from Northerly.

I will be watching him very closely in the Mackinnon on Saturday.

In saying that, the Melbourne Cup is always a poor betting race for punters...it's hard enough to line up form and obtain value in our normal races let alone one with so many uncertain variables.

Punting is about making money...cold and calculated decision making. If this race wasn't the Melbourne Cup, you have to ask yourself if you would even consider having a bet? 24 runners over 3200m, many untried at the distance, all the favoured runners are imports that historically have a very poor record.

Isn't it ironic that the largest tote pools of the year exist on the race where it is hardest to pick the winner?

If you must have a bet, I would suggest you try and strike an exotic...the pools will be full on mugs money, punters who have taken simple box trifectas and quinellas...mystery bets etc. etc. That is where the best opportunity for value lies.