Thursday, October 31, 2013

Mount Athos challenges for Melbourne Cup favouritism - Sydney Morning Herald

Horseracing

English stayer Mount Athos needs only to draw a good barrier to challenge Fiorente for Melbourne Cup favouritism.


Bookies are reporting massive backing for the Luca Cumani-trained runner who finished a luckless fifth in last year's race.


The support for the horse follows a stirring piece of work at Werribee on Wednesday that was clearly the best gallop of any Cup entrant at the quarantine centre this spring. Some operators have Mount Athos as short as $7.50 after as much as $26 was bet.


Fiorente holds sway at $6, but bookies are having trouble attracting any money for the Gai Waterhouse runner who finished second last year and was third in last Saturday's Cox Plate.


''We are writing almost twice as many bets on Mount Athos as Fiorente,'' said Sportingbet's Michael Felgate.


Sportingbet had Mount Athos at $8.50 late on Thursday with Fiorente at $7.


The TAB's Adam Hamilton said Mount Athos is its worst result.


''Mount Athos has clearly been the best backed and I wouldn't be surprised if he is the favourite come Tuesday,'' Hamilton said.


In other Cup betting moves, Voleuse De Coeurs, a recent addition to the Mike Moroney team has support at $12 with the TAB and $13 with Sportingbet.


Mount Athos followed his good gallop with a light canter at Werribee on Thursday, as did the previous day's other good worker, Brown Panther.


AAP




Melbourne taxi driver finds $110000 in cab - Yahoo!7 News

Melbourne taxi driver finds $110,000 in cabMelbourne taxi driver finds $110,000 in cab

A Melbourne taxi driver has set an example of honesty after returning $110,000 in cash to the lucky owners who left the money in his cab.


Lakhwinder Singh Dhillon was shocked to find 11 bundles of $10,000 on the back seat of his maxi taxi after he dropped off nine drunk passengers to the Crown Casino.


He took the cash to a local police station and the owners were tracked down.


He told Fairfax radio they were 'very happy' to be reunited with their lost fortune.


Lakhwinder received a cash reward of $500 from the extremely grateful group.



Melbourne Cup tracker: Watch the final 24-horse field take shape - NEWS.com.au



Jet Away. has to win Saturday's Group 1 Mackinnon Stakes (2000m) to qualify for the Melbourne Cup. Picture: Colleen Petch


Jet Away. has to win Saturday's Group 1 Mackinnon Stakes (2000m) to qualify for the Melbourne Cup. Picture: Colleen Petch Source: News Limited




MELBOURNE CUP HOPEFULS - WHAT THEY NEED TO DO



MACKINNON STAKES


Order Horse Status


16 Mourayan Guaranteed a start


18 Dear Demi Guaranteed a start


24 Mr Moet Borderline


28 Moriarty Needs to win


30 Jet Away Needs to win


PROFILES: MELBOURNE CUP CONTENDERS


LEXUS STAKES


13 Ethiopia Guaranteed a start


25 Kelinni Borderline


27 My Quest For Peace Needs to win


31 Mr O'Ceirin Needs to win


33 Moudre Needs to win


34 Julienas Needs to win


35 Kingdoms Needs to win


37 Araldo Needs to win


38 Ironstein Needs to win


39 Motivado Needs to win


40 Let's Make Adeal Needs to win


41 Vaquera Needs to win


Eq 43 Bass Strait Needs to win


Garud Needs to win


Ruscello Needs to win


*The winners of both the Lexus and Mackinnon Stakes are exempt from the Melbourne Cup ballot


MELBOURNE CUP (3200m), FLEMINGTON, NOVEMBER 5


ORDER OF ENTRY


1 FAWKNER Robert Hickmott 54.5kg


2 DUNADEN (FR) Mikel Delzangles 58.5kg


3 GREEN MOON (IRE) Robert Hickmott 57.5kg


4 RED CADEAUX (GB) Ed Dunlop 56.5kg


5 SEA MOON (GB) Robert Hickmott 56.5kg


6 SUPER COOL Mark Kavanagh 54.5kg


7 VOLEUSE DE COEURS (IRE) Michael Moroney 54kg


8 FIORENTE (IRE) Gai Waterhouse 55kg


9 HAWKSPUR Chris Waller 53.5kg


10 TRES BLUE (IRE) Gai Waterhouse 51kg


11 BROWN PANTHER (GB) Tom Dascombe 55kg


12 FORETELLER (GB) Chris Waller 55kg


13 ETHIOPIA Pat Carey 54.5kg


14 DANDINO (GB) Marco Botti 54.5kg


15 VEREMA (FR) Alain de Royer Dupre 53kg


16 MOURAYAN (IRE) Robert Hickmott 54.5kg


17 SEVILLE (GER) Robert Hickmott 54.5kg '


18 DEAR DEMI Clarry Conners 51kg


19 SILENT ACHIEVER (NZ) Roger James 52.5kg


20 MOUNT ATHOS (IRE) Luca Cumani 54kg


21 ROYAL EMPIRE (IRE) Saeed Bin Suroor 54kg


22 MASKED MARVEL (GB) Robert Hickmott 54kg


23 SIMENON (IRE) William Mullins 53.5kg


24 MR MOET Adam Durrant 53.5kg


***********CUP FIELD CUT-OFF**************


25 KELINNI (IRE) Chris Waller 53kg


26 IBICENCO (GER) Peter G Moody 53kg '


27 MY QUEST FOR PEACE (IRE) Peter G Moody 53kg


28 MORIARTY (IRE) Chris Waller 53kg


29 PRECEDENCE (NZ) Bart & James Cummings 53kg


30 JET AWAY (GB) David Hayes 53kg


31 MR O'CEIRIN (NZ) Ciaron Maher 52.5kg


32 FORGOTTEN VOICE (IRE) Nicky Henderson 52.5kg


33 MOUDRE Ciaron Maher 52.5kg


34 JULIENAS (IRE) Gai Waterhouse 52kg


35 KINGDOMS (NZ) John O'Shea 50kg


36 SHOREHAM Saab Hasan 50kg


37 ARALDO (GB) Michael Moroney 50.5kg


38 IRONSTEIN Gerald Ryan 50.5kg


39 MOTIVADO (GB) David Hayes 50.5kg


40 LET'S MAKE ADEAL Nigel Blackiston 50kg


41 VAQUERA (NZ) Gai Waterhouse 50kg


42 GRIS CARO (GB) Jake Stephens 50.5kg


NOT QUALIFIED


EQ43 BASS STRAIT (NZ) David Hayes 50kg


CARAVAN ROLLS ON (GB) Peter Chapple-Hyam 50kg


GARUD (IRE) Michael Moroney 50kg


OPINION (IRE) Chris Waller 50kg


RUSCELLO (IRE) Ed Walker 50kg



Kingdoms hot on the historical trail to a Melbourne Cup start - NEWS.com.au



Kingdoms, left, ridden by Jay Ford, wins race 6 The Tattersalls Cup during Tattersalls Cup day at Royal Randwick. pic Mark Evans


Kingdoms, left, ridden by Jay Ford, wins race 6 The Tattersalls Cup during Tattersalls Cup day at Royal Randwick. pic Mark Evans Source: News Limited




TRAINER John O'Shea is going back to the future to try and secure a Melbourne Cup start for Kingdoms in the Group 3 $300,000 Lexus Stakes (2500m) at Flemington on Saturday.



"This horse has a good profile for this race,'' O'Shea said of Kingdoms.


"The Melbourne stayers have been racing each other but he is the new formline.


"He's a progressive young stayer with not too many convictions and he is coming right at the right time.''


It was once considered almost mandatory by trainers to run their stayers on Derby Day to finetune Melbourne Cup preparations.


MELBOURNE CUP CONTENDERS


The Lexus Stakes and the Group 1 $1 million Mackinnon Stakes (2000m) traditionally have been the most important lead-up races into the Melbourne Cup three days later.


But what was once the norm has become the exception.


Since Irish stayer Vintage Crop's 1993 Melbourne Cup win ushered in the race's international era, Derby Day has become almost irrelevant as a guide to finding the Cup winner.


Of the top 24 in order of entry for the $6.2 million Melbourne Cup (3200m) at Flemington on Tuesday, only four are racing on Derby Day - Mourayan, Mr Moet and Dear Demi are contesting the $1 million Mackinnon Stakes (2000m) while Ethiopia is lining up in the Group 3 $300,000 Lexus Stakes.


Jet Away and Moriarty are in a must-win situation going into the Mackinnon if either is to get into the Cup field.



Jet Away needs to win the Lexus to secure a Melbourne Cup start. Picture: Petch Colleen


Jet Away needs to win the Mackinnon to secure a Melbourne Cup start. Picture: Petch Colleen Source: News Limited



Ethiopia aside, 13 of the remaining 14 starters in the Lexus Stakes including Kingdoms also need a win to secure a Melbourne Cup start. The only Lexus runner not among Cup entries is Brigantin.


Vintage Crop's historic Melbourne Cup win two decades ago has revolutionised how stayers are prepared for the famous Flemington two-miler.


Vintage Crop's final Cup "trial" was his Irish St Leger win on September 18 - seven weeks prior to the big race.


Since Vintage Crop, the only Cup winners who raced on Derby Day were Jeune (1994), Rogan Josh (1999), Viewed (2008) and Shocking (2009).


An examination of Melbourne Cup winners in a 70-year period between 1923 and 1993 shows that no fewer than 58 Cup winners raced on Derby Day.


But O'Shea is banking on Kingdoms following the trail blazed by Maluckyday three years ago and vaulting into the Melbourne Cup by winning the Lexus Stakes.


The promising young Sydney stayer goes into the race nicknamed the "Last Chance Stakes" after an erratic but still effective all-the-way win in the City Tattersall's Club Cup at Royal Randwick last start.



Chris Waller pair Moriarty (left) and Zoustar complete trackwork together at Flemington. Picture: Michael Klein


Chris Waller pair Moriarty (left) and Zoustar complete trackwork together at Flemington. Picture: Michael Klein Source: News Limited



Maluckyday was a lightly-raced four-year-old like Kingdoms when he won the City Tattersall's Club Cup before taking out the Lexus Stakes to earn a Melbourne Cup start.


In the famous Flemington "two-miler" Maluckyday ran second to French stayer Americain, beating home champion So You Think who was third.


Kingdoms showed staying promise himself earlier this year when third to It's A Dundeel in the ATC Australian Derby but had been struggling for form this spring prior to his last start win.


Ridden aggressively to lead, Kingdoms led throughout and won narrowly despite hanging out badly under pressure in the straight.


But O'Shea isn't expecting a repeat of Kingdom's wayward running style at Flemington on Saturday.


"He handles Flemington well, if anything he is suited this way of going,'' O'Shea said.


"This horse comes in well at the weights, he runs a strong 24500m and has a good turn of foot.


"If he wins, he will be running in the Melbourne Cup on Tuesday.''


O'Shea confirmed Cox Plate-winning apprentice Chad Schofield is on standby to ride, Kingdoms in the Melbourne Cup.



Jockey Glyn Schofield with his Cox Plate-winning son Chad. Picture: Mark Dadswell


Jockey Glyn Schofield with his Cox Plate-winning son Chad. Picture: Mark Dadswell Source: News Limited



MELBOURNE CUP HOPEFULS - WHAT THEY NEED TO DO


MACKINNON STAKES


Order Horse Status


16 Mourayan Guaranteed a start


18 Dear Demi Guaranteed a start


24 Mr Moet Borderline


28 Moriarty Needs to win


30 Jet Away Needs to win


LEXUS STAKES


13 Ethiopia Guaranteed a start


25 Kelinni Borderline


27 My Quest For Peace Needs to win


31 Mr O'Ceirin Needs to win


33 Moudre Needs to win


34 Julienas Needs to win


35 Kingdoms Needs to win


37 Araldo Needs to win


38 Ironstein Needs to win


39 Motivado Needs to win


40 Let's Make Adeal Needs to win


41 Vaquera Needs to win


Eq 43 Bass Strait Needs to win


Garud Needs to win


Ruscello Needs to win


*The winners of both the Lexus and Mackinnon Stakes are exempt from the Melbourne Cup ballot


MELBOURNE CUP (3200m), FLEMINGTON, NOVEMBER 5


ORDER OF ENTRY


1 FAWKNER Robert Hickmott 54.5kg


2 DUNADEN (FR) Mikel Delzangles 58.5kg


3 GREEN MOON (IRE) Robert Hickmott 57.5kg


4 RED CADEAUX (GB) Ed Dunlop 56.5kg


5 SEA MOON (GB) Robert Hickmott 56.5kg


6 SUPER COOL Mark Kavanagh 54.5kg


7 VOLEUSE DE COEURS (IRE) Michael Moroney 54kg


8 FIORENTE (IRE) Gai Waterhouse 55kg


9 HAWKSPUR Chris Waller 53.5kg


10 TRES BLUE (IRE) Gai Waterhouse 51kg


11 BROWN PANTHER (GB) Tom Dascombe 55kg


12 FORETELLER (GB) Chris Waller 55kg


13 ETHIOPIA Pat Carey 54.5kg


14 DANDINO (GB) Marco Botti 54.5kg


15 VEREMA (FR) Alain de Royer Dupre 53kg


16 MOURAYAN (IRE) Robert Hickmott 54.5kg


17 SEVILLE (GER) Robert Hickmott 54.5kg '


18 DEAR DEMI Clarry Conners 51kg


19 SILENT ACHIEVER (NZ) Roger James 52.5kg


20 MOUNT ATHOS (IRE) Luca Cumani 54kg


21 ROYAL EMPIRE (IRE) Saeed Bin Suroor 54kg


22 MASKED MARVEL (GB) Robert Hickmott 54kg


23 SIMENON (IRE) William Mullins 53.5kg


24 MR MOET Adam Durrant 53.5kg


25 KELINNI (IRE) Chris Waller 53kg


26 IBICENCO (GER) Peter G Moody 53kg '


27 MY QUEST FOR PEACE (IRE) Peter G Moody 53kg


28 MORIARTY (IRE) Chris Waller 53kg


29 PRECEDENCE (NZ) Bart & James Cummings 53kg


30 JET AWAY (GB) David Hayes 53kg


31 MR O'CEIRIN (NZ) Ciaron Maher 52.5kg


32 FORGOTTEN VOICE (IRE) Nicky Henderson 52.5kg


33 MOUDRE Ciaron Maher 52.5kg


34 JULIENAS (IRE) Gai Waterhouse 52kg


35 KINGDOMS (NZ) John O'Shea 50kg


36 SHOREHAM Saab Hasan 50kg


37 ARALDO (GB) Michael Moroney 50.5kg


38 IRONSTEIN Gerald Ryan 50.5kg


39 MOTIVADO (GB) David Hayes 50.5kg


40 LET'S MAKE ADEAL Nigel Blackiston 50kg


41 VAQUERA (NZ) Gai Waterhouse 50kg


42 GRIS CARO (GB) Jake Stephens 50.5kg


NOT QUALIFIED


EQ43 BASS STRAIT (NZ) David Hayes 50kg


CARAVAN ROLLS ON (GB) Peter Chapple-Hyam 50kg


GARUD (IRE) Michael Moroney 50kg


OPINION (IRE) Chris Waller 50kg


RUSCELLO (IRE) Ed Walker 50kg



Wednesday, October 30, 2013

Major revamp for Melbourne's Victoria Market - Herald Sun



Major revamp for Vic Market


The Victoria Market is in line for a major redevelopment. Source: News Limited




A MAJOR revamp of Victoria Market will attract more traders, visitors and is expected to create tens of thousands of jobs, Lord Mayor Robert Doyle says.



Cr Doyle said the project could cost up to $250 million and is expected to create 9000 jobs at the market, 12,000 jobs in the surrounding precinct and thousands of construction jobs.


Key upgrades will include a new park, essential infrastructure for traders, event spaces, improved car parking including an underground carpark, and better pedestrian access.


Cr Doyle and Premier Denis Napthine made the official announcement of the major redevelopment at 8am today.


Cr Doyle welcomed the decision by the State Government to enable the extension of the market precinct by transferring Crown land at the southern end of the market to the City of Melbourne.


Dr Napthine said the council would use the transferred land for an apartment and office development to help fund the market redevelopment.


Cr Doyle said the market precinct could become like a Federation Square of the city's north.


"To do nothing is not an option," he said.


The plans for the market will be developed over the next two years, with the project phased in over the next decade.


"We have an invaluable opportunity to create dynamic spaces for events and activities, bringing new vitality to the market precinct, particularly at night and outside current hours of operations," Cr Doyle said.


Dr Napthine said providing the land to the City of Melbourne would enable the market to expand its footprint.


"It will cater for the growth and patronage which is expected to reach 17 million annual visitors by 2031," Dr Napthine said.


The City of Melbourne will seek UNESCO world heritage listing for the market.


About 6000 bodies buried under the carpark, site of an early Melbourne cemetery, will not be moved under the revamp.


The market will continue to operate during the redevelopment.


The redevelopment was a key election pledge of Cr Doyle when he was returned to office in October last year.


He warned that the market faced ruin unless it was improved.



Gift opportunity for David Hayes' Jet Away to land in Melbourne Cup field - Herald Sun



Trainer David Hayes talks about his Mackinnon Stakes runner Jet Away. Picture: Colleen Petch


Trainer David Hayes talks about his Mackinnon Stakes runner Jet Away. Picture: Colleen Petch Source: News Limited




JET Away, the boom stayer trainer David Hayes describes as the modern version of At Talaq, has been gifted an opportunity to qualify for the Melbourne Cup after the field fell away for the Group 1 $1 million Mackinnon Stakes (2000m) at Flemington on Saturday.



The Mackinnon had 23 nominations and looked set to be one of the races of the spring but when final fields were declared yesterday, there was only nine acceptors.


Cox Plate runner-up Happy Trails suffered an injury at trackwork and was a notable omission, Lloyd Williams decided to send Caulfield Cup winner Fawkner and in-form stayer Sea Moon straight into the Melbourne Cup without another run, and Gai Waterhouse's promising Spurtonic is being reserved for the Emirates Stakes next week.


Jet Away, currently 30th on the order of entry for the $6.2 million Melbourne Cup, can secure a start in Tuesday's big race by winning the Mackinnon. In other Cup news:


PROFILES OF THE MELBOURNE CUP CONTENDERS


MACKINNON runners Mr Moet and Moriarty are borderline entries for the Melbourne Cup.


CAULFIELD Cup third placegetter Dear Demi is already assured of a start next Tuesday and will have her final lead-up in the Mackinnon.


THERE are 14 Melbourne Cup hopefuls in the Lexus Stakes but only Ethiopia has secured a Cup start.


LEXUS runners Kelinni, Julienas, My Quest For Peace, Moudre, Araldo, Ironstein, Bass Strait, Kingdoms, Let's Make Adeal, Vaquera, Motivado, Garud and Ruscello must win to get into the Cup field.



Daniel Moor heads out on the Flemington track at Jet Away's last visit to headquarters on Turnbull Stakes Day. Picture: Co


Daniel Moor heads out on the Flemington track at Jet Away’s last visit to headquarters on Turnbull Stakes Day. Picture: Colleen Petch Source: News Limited



Triple Melbourne Cup-winning jockey Glen Boss has taken the ride on Jet Away after being impressed by the import's courageous effort to run fourth in the Caulfield Cup.


Hayes, who trained a world record seven Group race winners on Derby Day in 1990 including the Mackinnon with champion Better Loosen Up, said Jet Away reminds him so much of At Talaq, who ran second in the 1986 Caulfield Cup to Mr Lomondy before winning the Mackinnon Stakes-Melbourne Cup double.


Although Jet Away is coming back in distance from a tough 2400m in the Caulfield Cup to the 2000m on Saturday, Hayes believes the former English horse has the versatility to cope.


"It never worried At Talaq and horses like that,'' Hayes said. "I've found over the years that horses that run well in the Caulfield Cup always run well in the Mackinnon Stakes.



"At Talaq was second in the Caulfield Cup then won the Mackinnon and the Melbourne Cup and Jet Away reminds me so much of At Talaq.''


Hayes is also hoping either Bass Strait or Motivado can qualify for the Melbourne Cup through the Lexus Stakes.


The Hall of Fame trainer said Bass Strait has the superior form this spring but he warned Motivado's brilliant track gallop at Flemington on Tuesday suggested he has "turned the corner" in his Cup preparation.


"Bass Strait had no luck in the Toorak (ninth) then they went too slow in the David Jones Cup where he got back but really hit the line well for second (behind Spurtonic),'' Hayes said. "He is going to be very hard to beat.


"Motivado has worked really well this week and he is pretty fit now.


"He won first-up over 2800m in England so I don't think third-up at 2500m will trouble him.''



Bart Cummings' Melbourne Cup gamble with stable star Precedence - Herald Sun



Melanie Fox walks with Precedence at Bart Cummings' Saintly Place stables in Melbourne. Picture: Getty Images


Melanie Fox walks with Precedence at Bart Cummings' Saintly Place stables in Melbourne. Picture: Getty Images Source: Getty Images




THE maestro Bart Cummings is going against his proven Melbourne Cup-winning formula and is instead relying on a high attrition rate or the intervention of the Victoria Racing Club committee for his stayer Precedence to get into the field for the $6.2 million Melbourne Cup (3200m) at Flemington on Tuesday.



Precedence, an impressive Moonee Valley Cup winner last Saturday, is 29th in order of entry for the Melbourne Cup and in very real danger of missing a start.


CHECK OUT PRECEDENCE AND THE CUP CONTENDERS


Cummings and his co-trainer, grandson James, had nominated Precedence for both the Mackinnon Stakes and Lexus Stakes at Flemington on Saturday but when the fields for Derby Day were declared yesterday, the eight-year-old gelding was not among final acceptors.


The winner of both races is exempt from the Melbourne Cup ballot.




Bart Cummings kept his hopes of alive of starting his 88th runner in the Melbourne Cup when veteran galloper Precedence won his second Moonee Valley Cup on Saturday.




Bart Cummings has won 12 Melbourne Cups and used Derby Day to finetune 11 of his winner - Light Fingers (1965), Galilee (1966), Red Handed (1967), Think Big (1975), Gold And Black (1977), Hyperno (1979), Let's Elope (1991), Rogan Josh (1999) and Viewed (2008) all contested the Mackinnon, while Think Big (1974) and Kingston Rule (1990) lined up in the Lexus.


The trainer's champion, Saintly, was his only Cup winner that didn't race on Derby Day, his final lead-up race being his epic 1996 Cox Plate win.


James Cummings said it was decided that starting Precedence on Derby Day in either race would be detrimental to the horse's chances in the Melbourne Cup.


"The plan all along has been to go from the Moonee Valley Cup to the Melbourne Cup and we didn't want to change that at the last minute,'' co-trainer James Cummings said.


"Precedence is really thriving on the lighter preparation we have given him this spring and we felt his best opportunity in the Melbourne Cup would be if we went straight into the race and not run Derby Day.


"His best Melbourne Cup effort was when he came off a Moonee Valley Cup win in 2010.


"We just have to keep our fingers crossed he makes the field - our owner Dato Tan Chin Nam is confident the horse will get into the race so I hope he is right.''



Bart Cummings is hoping Precedence sneaks into the Melbourne Cup field. Picture: Getty Images


Bart Cummings is hoping Precedence sneaks into the Melbourne Cup field. Picture: Getty Images Source: Getty Images



Precedence has started in three Melbourne Cups, finishing eighth (2010), 11th (2011) and ninth (2012). His top 10 finishes came after running in the Moonee Valley Cup and then going straight into the Flemington two-miler.


In 2011, Precedence ran ninth in the Mackinnon then 11th in Dunaden's Melbourne Cup.


Precedence's only hope now of getting into the 24-horse Melbourne Cup field is if there is a number of withdrawals from stayers ranked above him in the order of entry, or if the committee exercises its discretionary powers to elevate the stayer into the Cup field.


There is a growing groundswell of support to get the Cummings-trained stayer into Tuesday's race.


Corporate bookmaking firm Sportingbet has even started a Twitter campaign calling it "Give Bart the chance to make it 13 in '13".



Bart Cummings' Melbourne Cup gamble with stable star Precedence - NEWS.com.au



Melanie Fox walks with Precedence at Bart Cummings' Saintly Place stables in Melbourne. Picture: Getty Images


Melanie Fox walks with Precedence at Bart Cummings' Saintly Place stables in Melbourne. Picture: Getty Images Source: Getty Images




THE maestro Bart Cummings is going against his proven Melbourne Cup-winning formula and is instead relying on a high attrition rate or the intervention of the Victoria Racing Club committee for his stayer Precedence to get into the field for the $6.2 million Melbourne Cup (3200m) at Flemington on Tuesday.



Precedence, an impressive Moonee Valley Cup winner last Saturday, is 29th in order of entry for the Melbourne Cup and in very real danger of missing a start.


CHECK OUT PRECEDENCE AND THE CUP CONTENDERS


Cummings and his co-trainer, grandson James, had nominated Precedence for both the Mackinnon Stakes and Lexus Stakes at Flemington on Saturday but when the fields for Derby Day were declared yesterday, the eight-year-old gelding was not among final acceptors.


The winner of both races is exempt from the Melbourne Cup ballot.




Bart Cummings kept his hopes of alive of starting his 88th runner in the Melbourne Cup when veteran galloper Precedence won his second Moonee Valley Cup on Saturday.




Bart Cummings has won 12 Melbourne Cups and used Derby Day to finetune 11 of his winner - Light Fingers (1965), Galilee (1966), Red Handed (1967), Think Big (1975), Gold And Black (1977), Hyperno (1979), Let's Elope (1991), Rogan Josh (1999) and Viewed (2008) all contested the Mackinnon, while Think Big (1974) and Kingston Rule (1990) lined up in the Lexus.


The trainer's champion, Saintly, was his only Cup winner that didn't race on Derby Day, his final lead-up race being his epic 1996 Cox Plate win.


James Cummings said it was decided that starting Precedence on Derby Day in either race would be detrimental to the horse's chances in the Melbourne Cup.


"The plan all along has been to go from the Moonee Valley Cup to the Melbourne Cup and we didn't want to change that at the last minute,'' co-trainer James Cummings said.


"Precedence is really thriving on the lighter preparation we have given him this spring and we felt his best opportunity in the Melbourne Cup would be if we went straight into the race and not run Derby Day.


"His best Melbourne Cup effort was when he came off a Moonee Valley Cup win in 2010.


"We just have to keep our fingers crossed he makes the field - our owner Dato Tan Chin Nam is confident the horse will get into the race so I hope he is right.''



Bart Cummings is hoping Precedence sneaks into the Melbourne Cup field. Picture: Getty Images


Bart Cummings is hoping Precedence sneaks into the Melbourne Cup field. Picture: Getty Images Source: Getty Images



Precedence has started in three Melbourne Cups, finishing eighth (2010), 11th (2011) and ninth (2012). His top 10 finishes came after running in the Moonee Valley Cup and then going straight into the Flemington two-miler.


In 2011, Precedence ran ninth in the Mackinnon then 11th in Dunaden's Melbourne Cup.


Precedence's only hope now of getting into the 24-horse Melbourne Cup field is if there is a number of withdrawals from stayers ranked above him in the order of entry, or if the committee exercises its discretionary powers to elevate the stayer into the Cup field.


There is a growing groundswell of support to get the Cummings-trained stayer into Tuesday's race.


Corporate bookmaking firm Sportingbet has even started a Twitter campaign calling it "Give Bart the chance to make it 13 in '13".



Melbourne embraces a bit of coffee on the side - Good Food


Looking at plants can be tiring; so why not grab a coffee? Acorn Cafe and Nursery in Melbourne's Surrey Hills.


Looking at plants can be tiring; so why not grab a coffee? Acorn Cafe and Nursery in Melbourne's Surrey Hills. Photo: Sebastian Costanzo

No one could doubt that Melbourne takes its coffee seriously. The explosion of cafes in the past decade or so provides irrefutable proof that the dark bitter brew is essential to keeping the city's wheels turning.


According to website Urbanspoon, there are 2574 cafes in metropolitan Melbourne. But even with so much choice, the caffeine-addicted population is being tempted with new ways to indulge in its favourite beverage.


Bookshops and garden nurseries were among the first businesses to adopt the “with-a-cafe” model that has since spread to ever more diverse operations.


The coffee's not just for parishioners at the Collins Street Baptist Church.


The coffee's not just for parishioners at the Collins Street Baptist Church. Photo: Penny Stephens

Across Melbourne, hairdressers, car dealerships, record shops, laundromats, art galleries and even a church and a pharmacy now either sell barista-made coffee or offer it gratis to customers.


In Carlton's Elgin Street, Soap Bar Launderette is putting the finishing touches on its new in-store cafe, expected to open next month. Co-owner Ben Shaw hopes the caffeine offering will help ease customers' boredom while they wait for the spin cycle to finish, as well as bring in a few extra dollars. “We want to make it something of a social hub, so this is why we have the leather couches and free Wi-Fi,” he says. “It's going to have a nice vibe and it's a good way to attract more people; I have someone who comes from Ascot Vale just because they like what we do.”


This kind of coffee-business hybrid is popping up all over Melbourne, although most are located in the booming inner suburbs. In Fitzroy's Hares & Hyenas bookshop, for example, the clientele can pick up a copy of Christos Tsiolkas' latest with a latte. In the CBD, the kiosk-style cafe set up on the verandah of the Collins Street Baptist Church isn't just for parishioners – open weekdays from 9am-3pm, it's just as likely to serve a banker or retail worker as it is a church volunteer. At Mag Nation in Elizabeth Street, customers can flick through the latest copy of American cult journal Kinfolk as they sip a macchiato.


Coffee fiends can also get their fix at such unlikely places as the Green Laundry@cafe in Balaclava, The Little Mule Cycle Co. & Cafe in the CBD, Brunswick East hairdresser Ique Salon cafe, Acorn Nursery in Surrey Hills and Magic Hand Carwash, which serves coffee and car suds all over town. Those waiting for their prescriptions in Pascoe Vale can sip on a latte in a booth at Bell Street Pharmacy's in-sore cafe. Like the laundrette, the carwash and pharmacy cafes are a clever way to keep clients occupied while they wait.


Richard Jenkins, research director at Knight Frank real-estate agency, predicts more and more businesses are likely to fire up the espresso machine in order to diversify how they make a buck. “A lot of owners are interested in trying to offer more experiences to their customers and I think that's what they're doing by offering a convenience that could translate into more sales,” he says. “Retail sales are slowing down but people are still going out. It's a cheap luxury and will attract shoppers. It's a really clever idea.”


In August, TWR revealed that Fitzroy's Brunswick Street, one of Melbourne's premier hospitality precincts, has suffered at least 13 cafe, bar and restaurant closures in the past three years. Low consumer confidence, licence fees and high rents have been blamed. Across the state, more than 1500 eateries have closed in the past 12 months.


Trade across the hospitality industry has slowed in the past year. According to a report released by restaurant search and booking website Dimmi, the average spend per person has dropped from $61 to $54. For some, offering a freshly brewed latte is a way to indulge customers and earn loyalty, but for others it's crucial for survival.


Hawthorn's specialty vinyl shop Alley Tunes turned to caffeine when the main arm of the business started to slow in 2007. Co-owner Max Le Bras says selling coffee pays the bills and allows him to indulge in his passion for music. “We couldn't have survived without it; people hadn't stopped buying records but it wasn't enough to pay the rent,” he says.


He says placing tables and chairs outside the shop, which is on a quiet stretch of Glenferrie Road, has added to the area's otherwise languishing ambience. “It creates a nice vibe,” he says.


The extension of Melbourne's thriving coffee culture has been welcomed by the Australasian Specialty Coffee Association. Secretary Ross Quail, also general manager at Sensory Lab, has spent almost 20 years involved in the industry and is excited by the shift. “I think it's great – it's people realising that coffee is something that should be enjoyed and people value it in a range of experiences. And it supports people in the coffee industry.”


He says thanks to the array of beans, training and equipment available, it's almost impossible to get a bad coffee in Melbourne, even when the seller isn't a specialist.


“We've seen considerable change in the industry in the past 20 years and this is just another part of that,” he says. “It's all about how it contributes to Melbourne's reputation on a world level.”


What is the strangest place you've seen a cafe or espresso bar located? Log in to comment below.


theweeklyreviewmelbournetimes.com.au



Protesting students clash with police in Melbourne's CBD - Yahoo!7 News

Protesting students clash with police in Melbourne s CBDProtesting students clash with police in Melbourne's CBD

A rowdy student protest has ended in Melbourne with five arrests, a police officer being punched in the face and Treasurer Joe Hockey needing police protection from an angry, surging crowd.


About 100 students took part in the National Union of Students' demonstration, which began with a picket outside Parliament House protesting against federal government cuts to higher education.


But the students were met by uniformed police and officers on horseback and the scene turned ugly as the students marched through the city, stopping at a number of sites, including the State Library.


They chanted "no cuts, no fees, no corporate universities."


Treasurer Joe Hockey caught up in wild student protest in Melbourne's CBD. Photo: 7News


The Federal Treasurer Joe Hockey found himself caught dangerously close to to the mayhem when confronted by a group of about 20 protesters on Spring Street, but his security team and police held back the crowd.


"They must have thought I was a Labor politician because it was the Labor party that cut university funding," he later told reporters.


Police say five people were arrested as some protesters began throwing shoes and chalk outside the Liberal Party headquarters.


Protesters also burned items in the street.


It is alleged several officers were attacked by the group.


Several arrests made during student rally over education funding cuts in Melbourne's CBD. Photo: 7News


An officer who was punched in the face is currently receiving treatment in hospital, a Victoria Police spokeswoman said.


"Police attended to ensure the safety of all involved, and provided an escort to persons entering and exiting the building," the spokeswoman said.


"It’s alleged several police members were assaulted during the incident, including one member who was allegedly punched to the face by a protestor.


At least five people arrested during rowdy student protest in Melbourne's CBD. Photo: 7News


"He is currently receiving treatment in hospital for minor facial injuries.


"It’s alleged some protestors also threw shoes and chalk at police and burned items in the street.


Student protest over higher education cuts turns ugly. Photo: 7News


"The protestors have left the street however police continue to monitor the situation.


"The investigation into the incident remains ongoing."


Student protesters hurl shoes at Liberal Party HQ during rally against higher education cuts. Photo: 7News


one of the rally organisers, Sarah Garnham, says students were peaceful and it was the police who were violent.


She said two people were initially arrested - and one of them was unconscious at the time.


"The first I saw of her she is being dragged out, not resisting at all," Ms Garnham told AAP.


"No one in the protest was violent. There was absolutely no violence whatsoever apart from the Victorian police who moved in on us."





Student protesters in stand off with police in Bourke Street. Photo: Twitter Dean Felton (@deanfelton7)

She said protesters tried to attend a police station to make a brutality complaint, but police wouldn't let them go inside.


More members of the protest group were then arrested, she said.


Student protesters clash with police as they marched through city's streets. Photo: 7News


The protest site has been cleared but is still being watched by officers.


No charges have been laid at this time.


Student protesters stage a sit-in at the intersection of Bourke and Swanston Streets. Photo: 7News


Three men and two women are in custody helping police with their enquiries.


Aerial pictures: Student protest in Melbourne's CBD turns ugly. Photo: 7News

Aerial pictures: Police and student protesters clash during city rally against education cuts in Melbourne's CBD. Photo: 7News



Kevin Muscat to coach Melbourne Victory - Sydney Morning Herald


Kevin Muscat has his say as Ange Postecoglou took his final training session for the club.

Kevin Muscat has his say as Ange Postecoglou took his final training session for the club. Photo: Justin McManus



Melbourne Victory will announce Kevin Muscat as its new head coach on Thursday.


The club has been in negotiations with its assistant coach since Ange Postecoglou took charge of the team for the last time on Friday night in its 1-0 win over Brisbane Roar.


Sources said there was no hurry, as Muscat has been an integral part of the coaching set-up for several seasons.


"We want stability and continuity – and the head coach has to have authority. We are not under any time pressure because everyone is on the same page and it's most important that we get the right support in place," a Victory insider said on Wednesday.


But the club would like to end speculation over the job as soon as possible, preferably before it hosts Wellington Phoenix – now coached by its old title winning mentor Ernie Merrick — on Monday night.


Muscat has served a long apprenticeship, having been a player-assistant under Merrick before his retirement at the end of the 2010-11 season.


He has since worked under Mehmet Durakovic and Jim Magilton – a season the Victory faithful prefer to forget — and Postecoglou.


Since being appointed Socceroo coach his former boss lost little time in endorsing Muscat as his successor.


Muscat has kept a low public profile and not spoken about the position, but those close to him are adamant that now, at the age of 40, he feels the time is right to step up.


There has been plenty of conjecture as to where he might look for an assistant coach. Welshman Darren Davies, currently in charge of Victory's youth team, has been touted as a potential candidate while others have advanced the claims of ex A-League assistants Stuart Munro and Phil Stubbins. Former South Melbourne coach Mike Petersen, with whom Muscat played as a youngster, has also been mentioned on social media, but he has not coached at high level for more than a decade.


Victory has begun the season in decent style and remains unbeaten following two draws and a win over Brisbane. It is one of a clutch of three teams (alongside Western Sydney Wanderers and Central Coast Mariners) on five points, one less than table-topping Brisbane Roar.


Its Cup eve game against the Phoenix is sure to be a fascinating encounter as it pits Victory against its old coach for the first time since Merrick was sacked after leading Melbourne to two championships in the first five seasons of the A–League.



Tuesday, October 29, 2013

Thousands of jobs for Melbourne Airport - Sydney Morning Herald

Breaking News National National

AAP


A major expansion of Melbourne Airport is creating 3000 construction jobs, but there's still no money for a rail link or freeway upgrade.


Melbourne Airport CEO Chris Woodruff says the airport's multi-billion-dollar development plan will see passenger numbers double to 60 million in 20 years.


He said that kind of increase in passenger traffic would cripple the current airport freeway, even if a train line was built.


"The rail link is not the silver bullet," Mr Woodruff told reporters on Tuesday.


"It's desperately needed, but we also need significant road upgrades connecting this airport to the city as well, sooner rather than later."


The airport is in talks with the state government about funding such as a freeway expansion, but has been shut out of securing federal support for a connecting rail line.


Acting Prime Minister Warren Truss said federal money is only available for freight lines, not urban transport.


"We see those as projects that are better provided by states and local governments," he said.


The state government has studied building an airport rail link for years, but no timeline or final decisions have been made.


The airport's renewed push for further government funding came as 3000 ongoing construction jobs were announced as part of the first stage of its development.


Mr Woodruff said building projects have been lined up back to back, meaning there will be a steady 3000-worker construction team needed on site for many years.


The airport's long-term southern precinct will include 17 new aircraft parking bays, extra car parking, ground transport facilities and road upgrades.


The international terminal is also being upgraded and another runway will be submitted for federal planning approval within two years.


Both Jetstar and Tigerair will be housed in the new domestic terminal when it's opened in mid-2015.



© 2013 AAP

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Sydney trainer Chris Waller recommends punters don't forget Hawkspur in ... - Herald Sun



Hawkspur


Melbourne Cup fancy Hawkspur enjoys a roll in the sand. Picture: Wayne Ludbey Source: HeraldSun




CHRIS Waller, chasing his first Melbourne Cup success, says punters should take note of the “flashing light” hovering over Hawkspur.



Although not forgotten in Cup betting — the four-year-old is TAB’s $10 fourth favourite — Waller suggested Hawkspur should not be overlooked as hype builds for the internationals.


“The Cup distance is a new level, but he has had a flashing light on his head the way he has finished his past couple of runs,” Waller said after the gelding worked strongly at Flemington yesterday.


The leading Sydney trainer was impressed with the gallop over 1200m in 1min 17.9sec, the last 400m in 23.45sec.



And he has been pleased with Hawkspur’s recent races, despite the fact he has not won.





Chris Waller says Foreteller and Hawkspur are both excellent chances of being first past the post in next Tuesday's Melbourne Cup.





He was blocked for runs but still ran within half a length of the placegetters in the Turnbull Stakes and he flashed home in the Caulfield Cup, in which stewards reported he was severely hampered in the early stages.


He has only 53.5kg in the 3200m Melbourne Cup.


“He is on song,” Waller said, adding Hawkspur would go straight to the Cup.


“I think he is rock-hard fit. He is not a gross horse and running on Saturday could flatten him.


“The horse has won over 2400m and he has had the perfect preparation."



Chris Waller


Chris Waller realises it's time for the serious stuff as the spring carnival heads to the Flemington headquarters. Picture: Michael Klein



Waller also will start Foreteller in the Cup, almost as an after thought.


PROFILES OF THE MELBOURNE CUP CONTENDERS


“It is something that has come to mind since he ran on Saturday (fourth in the Cox Plate)," he said.


“He is a seven-year-old and he will not get another chance (of running in the Cup). His form is as good as anything going into the race, so why not give it a go?”


Kelinni, 25th in the order of entry, will be Waller’s third candidate.



Hawkspur


Chris Waller says he has full confidence in Hawkspur. Picture: Wayne Ludbey



Kelinni, who had colic early in his campaign, ran well in the Caulfield Cup and Waller said he could be competitive in the Cup, as he was last year when fourth.


“We know he stays the two miles and he will be finishing off,” he said.


Waller said Moriarty, who will run in the Mackinnon Stakes on Saturday, was “most unlikely” to contest the Cup.


He currently sits 28th in the order.


Waller was pleased with the effort of Moriarty, who will contest the Mackinnon Stakes (2000m) on Saturday.


“His Caulfield Cup run was excellent but I see him as next year’s project,” he said.



Foreteller set for Melbourne Cup start - TVNZ


Published: 7:43AM Wednesday October 30, 2013




Chris Waller will give Foreteller his chance to win the Melbourne Cup.


Since Foreteller's fourth in Saturday's Cox Plate, Waller and connections of the dual Group One winner decided the reasons for running outweigh those for not starting.


Foreteller will be one of three possible Melbourne Cup starters for Waller. Hawkspur is on target, while last year's fourth placegetter Kelinni is sweating on a run as number 25 in the order of entry, with 24 to start.


"We buy horses for these races and then we find excuses not to run them," Waller said.


"He [Foreteller] is a seven-year-old, he's not going to get another chance and it's an amazing race. He's probably got the best formlines going into it, if he can stay."


Foreteller has never raced over further than 2400m, but his spring preparation has included a Group One win in the Makybe Diva Stakes (1600m), a second to Atlantic Jewel in the Caulfield Stakes (2000m) and a fast-finishing fourth in last Saturday's Cox Plate (2040m).


"Obviously, we've got to tick the two-mile box yet, but we'll have a go anyway," Waller said.


The trainer insists Foreteller will be able to handle the distance given the way he races.


The longest race of Foreteller's career was a 1-1/4 length fifth in the Group One BMW (2400m) at Rosehill in the autumn, won by Fiveandahalfstar with Melbourne Cup-bound Silent Achiever runner-up.


Beaten Caulfield Cup favourite Hawkspur was given a searching solo gallop at Flemington on the course proper on Tuesday and will have another solid gallop on Saturday to ready him for the Melbourne Cup.


New Zealand mare Silent Achiever turned in an impressive piece of work, easily accounting for Roger James-trained stablemate Zonza, while international Simenon was taken to Flemington to familiarise himself with the track and the surroundings.


Owner Lloyd Williams is set to have six runners - Green Moon, Sea Moon, Fawkner, Seville, Mourayan and Masked Marvel.


Waller has Brisbane Cup winner Moriarty in Saturday's Mackinnon Stakes, but said a Melbourne Cup run for the horse 28th in order of entry was unlikely.


"He's next year's Foreteller," he said. "I'm not going to get too urgent with him.


"I don't think he'll get a start in the Cup and it won't worry me.


"We'll take him home, and we'll get him ready for the Ranvet and BMW and bring him back next year."



Copyright © 2013, Television New Zealand Limited. Breaking and Daily News, Sport & Weather | TV ONE, TV2 | Ondemand


Why east-west link will drive renewal - The Age


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'Another transformative aspect of the link is that Melbourne's inner north deserves to be better than a traffic sewer.' Photo: Justin McManus



Early Melbourne developed in a radial starfish pattern along its train and tram routes. As the city spread outwards, the associated major roads - Monash, West Gate and Eastern motorways - enhanced the radial travel patterns.


This pattern does not lead naturally to the development of ring routes, as radial travel always dominates. Inadequate roads such as Hoddle Street and Alexandra Parade are forced to act as ring roads. Recently Melbourne has created three major ring road components. The Western Ring Road, CityLink and EastLink have had positive impacts on development and transport. Melburnians often forget how congested Southbank was before CityLink, although the occasional closing of the tunnels provides a reminder of the gridlock once experienced twice a day.


Melbourne now has reasonable ring road provisions to the south and west and in the outer north and east. However, the inner north is poorly served by disconnected streets and by the abrupt way the Eastern Freeway terminates at the western end. Connecting the Eastern Freeway to CityLink and later to the Western Ring Road is a logical step in the development of Melbourne's transport network.


The east-west link will transform the way Melbourne's road transport works, particularly in the inner north. For example, Melbourne is ringed by thousands of productive factories, service centres, warehouses, and educational centres from Moorabbin to Thomastown to Altona. They need to communicate with each other, with suppliers, with markets, and with external transport exchanges.


Another transformative aspect of the link is that Melbourne's inner north deserves to be better than a traffic sewer. The tunnel would allow urban amenity improvements to the area surrounding Alexandra Parade and Princes Street. Alexandra Parade is one of Melbourne's ugliest roads. The tunnel will take much through-traffic off these roads and streetscape measures would also inhibit through-traffic.


What are the objections to the link? Opponents play the congestion card, arguing that previous projects have not eliminated congestion, forgetting that this was never their intent. The link will significantly improve the way traffic moves across Melbourne's inner north, but there may be times when demand exceeds supply.


A related objection is that the link will not stop the congestion caused by cars travelling between the Eastern Freeway and the inner city. But the proposed link does not pander to this misconception of its role. Its focus is not on access to inner Melbourne.


There are also queries about future traffic flows. There is uncertainty in predicting the effect of tolls on use of the link and on diversion to other routes. Traffic already exceeds the capacity on most routes between the Eastern Freeway and the inner city. International experience is that car access to the inner city is best managed by flexible toll charges and improved public transport. It may prove necessary to toll all vehicles at the city end of the Eastern.


Melbourne in the past 50 years has produced some of the world's best motorway designs, as evidenced by the visual quality of the motorway that now runs from Hoddle Street to Mornington. We should expect no less from the builders of the new link.


With respect to public transport for travellers to the inner city, it is puzzling to me as a Manningham resident and frequent user of the SmartBus to the city to read letters advocating construction of the Doncaster railway as a better alternative than the east-west link.


The first stage of the proposed railway would take commuters only as far as the already overcrowded Clifton Hill line. The next and useful stage would require a new underground rail link and, given other priorities in the rail system, it is doubtful whether such a link would be operational within the lifetime of anyone reading this article.


On the other hand, when the link road tunnel is completed a SmartBus could use the Eastern Freeway and the tunnel to provide a service looping down Flemington Road to the Haymarket and returning back to the link via Royal Parade, passing through Melbourne's medical and academic precinct, connecting with the Elizabeth Street tram and to the Haymarket Station on the new north-south railway tunnel. How could the Doncaster Rail option provide better than this?


Of course, most of the material carried in the trucks and vans has no feasible transport alternative. Factories, warehouses, retailers and tradesmen will always be reliant on a good road network.


Melbourne has a relatively extensive rail and tram network. Its problems are largely historic, but a century of inaction means that they cannot be fixed overnight. There is an undoubted need for continued major investment in public transport and I am a strong supporter of the proposed north-south rail tunnel.


Dr Maxwell Lay is an adjunct professor at RMIT researching how to measure the cost of traffic congestion. He is the former independent reviewer for CityLink and a VicRoads director responsible for the design and construction of major parts of the Eastern Freeway, Monash Freeway and the Western Ring Road.



Gai Waterhouse's Melbourne Cup dream comes at a price - Sydney Morning Herald


Chad Schofield (R) riding on Shamus Award

Chad Schofield rides Shamus Award to the Cox Plate. Photo: Getty Images



As you drive from Melbourne Airport towards the city, there's an enormous billboard stretching across the Tullamarine Freeway that cannot be missed.


It invites you to join the Gai Waterhouse Club so you, too, can be “living the dream”.


As Waterhouse entices the good people of Melbourne to buy a piece of her inner-sanctum – for an upfront payment of $3500 – she is ever so close to buying her way to a maiden Melbourne Cup.


Gai Waterhouse with Fiorente

Fiorente turned in a strong run for third in the Cox Plate at the weekend, raising hopes of a maiden Melbourne Cup win for Gai Waterhouse. Photo: Getty Images



Fiorente is the $5 favourite. After his brave run into third place in the Cox Plate on Saturday, it is difficult to fathom any other horse, with a Cup specialist in Damien Oliver aboard, getting past him.


Waterhouse made a late appearance in the Flemington enclosure on Monday morning for the official launch of the carnival. Some had prematurely declared she snubbed the event because Myer is a major sponsor of the Victorian Racing Club, and she's a David Jones ambassador.


Shortly after her fashionably late arrival she was mobbed, and asked what it would mean to have the Cup sitting on her mantelpiece.


Gai Waterhouse cheering Rain Drum

Waterhouse cheers on Rain Drum. Photo: Getty Images



“There's a lot of trophies there, but it's the one that's missing,” she smiled. “It would be nice to have it if we could.”


If she did, it would be the completion of a four-year plan to win the race. While others, such as millionaire property tycoon Lloyd Williams, have long obsessed about the two-mile event, Waterhouse became serious the year she did not have a runner.


That's when she ordered husband and bookmaker Robbie to “go find me one”. In other words, find a European stayer that can win the Melbourne Cup.


“I was sitting here four years ago, and I didn't have a runner, and I thought, 'I've got to change things,' ” Waterhouse said. “I went home that afternoon and I said to Rob, 'You've got to do something about it.' He said, 'What about some tried horses?' So he started to source them, and he's been sourcing them since.”


Robbie went and sourced Descarado (which won the Caulfield Cup) and Glencadam Gold (which won the Metropolitan) but Fiorente is the superstar.


The Waterhouses threw the bank – OK, about $1 million, so a fraction of it – to buy the Irish-bred stallion after watching him win at Newmarket in England in July last year.


Robbie had jogged the track that morning, for about 7 kilometres, along the inside rail.


Fiorente won a group 2 race later that day on the outside, where the going was much heavier.


That convinced them to go after Fiorente. It took three months of negotiations, but they finally got the expensive pound of horseflesh they desired.


Waterhouse loved what she saw from her horse in the Cox Plate, along with everyone else, when he hung on courageously despite a long journey from an ugly barrier.


“Such a sustained run,” she said of his third placing behind Shamus Award.


“Working from 1200m out from the winning post, it wasn't a short jab or stab, it was something working up as a crescendo.”


Subsequently, she's never been in the box seat like this before. She's never been in the same suburb as the box seat.


When Te Akau Nick finished second to Vintage Crop in 1993, he was rated a 160-1 shot. When Nothin Leica Dane finished second to Doriemus two years later, he was 16-1. Last year, Fiorente finished second to Green Moon at 40-1.


“I've never had a short-priced favourite in the Cup,” Waterhouse said. “I've never had a favourite. They've all been in double-figure or triple-figure odds. It's nice to have one that's right in the betting.”


Her legion of critics will often point to her lack of success in Melbourne in spring, and while she brushes such barbs aside, others – including her husband – know the Cup is the race she covets the most.


Asked if that brought any added pressure, she laughs. “No, not really,” she said. “I'm used to pressure. I've had favourites in lots of big races. You need to cope with that or you shouldn't be doing it.”


Should she win the Melbourne Cup, she will finally join The Club that houses Bart and Lloyd and even her late father, T.J. Smith, who won the race with Toparoa (1955) and Just a Dash (1981).


And that is a rare club that costs more than $3500 up front to join.