Melbourne Cup 2019 blanket finish

CRAIG WILLIAMS WINS MELBOURNE CUP FOR AUSTRALIA – VOW AND DECLARE

It was a gutsy early race move and a real driving lift at the finish that enabled Vow And Declare to become the first Australian horse to win the Cup in over a decade.

Craig Williams pushes the right buttons

Craig Williams in the early part of the race correctly sent the horse forward from the 21 gate, this was a bold play as many speed maps had it going back to near last. He found the lead with a lap to run, then had the box seat and Williams drove him up on the fence to win. There was the controversy of Master Of Reality (Frankie Dettori mount) shifting in terribly over the last 100m however this very interference is what may have lifted Vow And Declare over the line. He copped a heavy bump at the 50 and then seemed to find something deep within to win, it was a very brave effort.

Queensland Derby sets the tone

The horse was bred in Queensland and was overlooked not making its reserve at the sales. It was later syndicated and ran a super race in the Queensland Derby over the Winter Carnival when was 3 wide no cover the trip and ran Mr Quickie to a narrow margin and he really put the writing on the wall then.

Trainer Danny O’Brien who had been embroiled in the “Cobalt Saga” over the last few years something that caused Peter Moody to throw his hands up and walk away from the sport. Danny and his connections stayed strong and maintained their vision despite massive adversity and it’s a great credit to him.

Euro Training Programme for Vow and Declare

The other really interesting fact with the training of this horse is Danny O’Brien followed a very much “European Training” program for his Melbourne Cup horse by racing him in the winter with a small break and then 2 runs into the Melbourne Cup. It is really unheard of particularly with the Bart Cummings method of ensuring his horses had raced at least over a combined journey of 10,000m before they raced in the cup. Jockey Craig Williams became only the 6th Jockey in history to claim racings “Grand Slam” having now won the Golden Slipper, Cox Plate Caulfield Cup and at his 15th attempt the Melbourne Cup.

Controversial Protest Upheld

It was the first time a protest was upheld in the Melbourne Cup when 4th (Il Paradiso) fired in a protest against Master Of Reality for the terrible interference at the 100m mark when Frankie Dettori allowed his horse to roll in some 7-8 horses. Il Paradiso was desperately unlucky it was clearly the run of the Melbourne Cup. The sectionals it unleashed in a slowly run Melbourne Cup were extraordinary and connections can consider themselves very unlucky. It was elevated to third after the protest but in doing so it sent many punters into a spin who may have moments earlier got the trifecta and now they did not!

Melbourne Cup stops the Nation

No doubt the defeat of the overseas contenders will put the fire in the belly even more, whilst at the same time Australians can again believe it is possible to win the cup. It was one of the great finishes that will be remembered for years to come in the Melbourne Cup, the race that stops the nation.

Melbourne Racing Tips – Victoria Oaks Day

Oaks Day tomorrow and form sheets and tips for Oaks Day will be out later Wednesday afternoon.

Racing Tips Oaks Day  only $19.99
JOIN NOW

first race 1.50 a.m.
Victorian Oaks 5.50pm
big 10 race card

form sheet, tips, ratings, prices, staking plan and commentary for all 9 races ready to go!

Our form sheets and tips will give you a great platform for your betting. Pete Brinky is our Expert Melbourne Racing Tips analyst you can read more about Pete on the following link https://itipsports.com.au/pete-brinky-bio/

Racing Tips Oaks Day Pass only $19.99
JOIN NOW