Macca

I slept through it all and then scrolled through the games and with just the PSV result to come I felt reasonably sure that we'd won. Close but no cigar. Good get on the Leicester & Man Utd wins DZ although United left it to the very last moment.

PSV let us down although they did win DZ ... their games have averaged 4 match goals so the form was there. Back to the drawing board!

If I do lose you probably won't hear from me! I got lucky today with the last minute inclusion of Le Romain and the 'Extra Brut' factor. But both horses should have always been included if we are wanting to include class & raw ability. That's for the exotic & quaddie punters of course The Melbourne Cup guide in the post above has been edited so it reads better. Ciao

Racenet Form - Melbourne Cup 3200m $7.6Million Group 1 1. Best Solution (6) (IRE) J: Pat Cosgrave T: Saeed bin Suroor W: 57.5kg Best Odds: $14 COMMENT: Caulfield Cup winner who produced a career best to win the race. The Caulfield Cup is the traditional lead up, but in recent years it hasn't been the right form reference. 57.5kg is the ask, but he relaxes, he can sustain a run and is in form so there is enough boxes ticked to respect him. 2. The Cliffsofmoher (9) (IRE) J: TBC T: Aidan O'Brien W: 56.5kg Best Odds: $16 COMMENT: I thought Bowman gave him every chance in the Caulfield Cup but wanted to lay in badly when put under pressure. I can't see him turning the tables on Best Solution and is a clear query at 3200m. 3. Magic Circle (17) (IRE) J: Corey Brown T: Ian Williams W: 56kg Best Odds: $9.50 COMMENT: This horse has clearly turned the corner since joining Ian Williams, winning 2/2 by six lengths each time where he has produced a slashing turn of foot which is needed to win the Melbourne Cup. Has looked sharp in work at Werribee. Stays and has a turn of foot. That's a winning formula for the Melbourne Cup. Looks the horse to beat. 4. Chestnut Coat (4) (JPN) J: TBC T: Yoshito Yahagi W: 55.5kg Best Odds: $41 COMMENT: Clear forgive run in the Caulfield Cup. Wide no cover for the trip and was a beaten horse on the turn. Didn't handle the wet track either. The step up in trip and on a bigger track, he can bounce back for sure as long as the rain stays away. 5. Muntahaa (13) (IRE) J: Jim Crowley T: John Gosden W: 55.5kg Best Odds: $10 COMMENT: He's the horse on everyone's lips. Visually, the Ebor win was outstanding. But what did he beat? There has been 21 subsequent runs from the race for just one win since. That's the negative, plus the form prior was just fair, and that he's a highly strung animal, but if he puts everything together and gets things to suit, he can certainly win. 6. Sound Check (16) (GER) J: Jordan Childs T: Michael Moroney W: 55.5kg Best Odds: $41 COMMENT: He was another forgive in the Caulfield Cup. He was out the back and pulling his head off. Looked drunk around the turn but balanced up and his last 100m was encouraging. Big track, 3200m and a more genuine tempo could see him cause problems. 7. Who Shot Thebarman (18) (NZ) J: TBC T: Chris Waller W: 55.5kg Best Odds: $67 COMMENT: A grand old campaigner who will likely sit on speed and make his own luck. Would be a shock to see him win, but his Moonee Valley Cup run was encouraging and I think he's a top 10 contender at big odds. 8. Ace High (22) J: TBC T: David Payne W: 55kg Best Odds: $81 COMMENT: Put a line through his run in the Caulfield Cup. Leading isn't his go, he wasn't happy on the surface and regular rider Tye Angland wasn't on. He will be much better at Flemington where he won the Derby last year. Two miles will be no issue if ridden with cover and will appreciate any rain that hits the track in lead up to the race. Can bounce back. 9. Marmelo (10) (GB) J: Hugh Bowman T: Hughie Morrison W: 55kg Best Odds: $17 COMMENT: Horses who fail in a previous attempt at a Cup, generally struggle to improve at subsequent attempts. But this horse has got the ability to win so i am happy to give him another shot. If the race was a few hundred metres shorter he would be the horse to beat so if its a slow tempo he will be very hard to hold out. One of the main contenders. 10. Avilius (11) (GB) J: Glyn Schofield T: James Cummings W: 54.5kg Best Odds: $13 COMMENT: Earned his spot in the field via a narrow win in the Bart Cummings. Well held in the Cox Plate and IMO looks a clear risk at 3200m. He has been a up a fair while as well so it would take a great training effort from James Cummings. If he runs the distance he is right in the race but a risk at the price. 11. Yucatan (23) (IRE) J: James McDonald T: Aidan O’Brien W: 54.5kg Best Odds: $5.00 COMMENT: If he runs up to the Herbert Power effort, he will go very close. But the price is very short and you're being asked to take $4.50 to see if he can run 3200m. There is enough evidence to suggest he may not and at the price, you couldn't back him. But anything similar to that win and he'll look the winner. Just needs to run the trip. 12. Auvray (1) (FR) J: TBC T: Richard Freedman W: 54kg Best Odds: $126 COMMENT: Hasn't raced in just under a month and was plain in what looked a weak race. Happy to let him go through to the keeper. 13. Finche (15) (GB) J: Zac Purton T: Chris Waller W: 54kg Best Odds: $26 COMMENT: I think he is 6-12 months away from showing his best. Geelong Cup run was good but I don't think that's the right form for the Melbourne Cup. Not this year anyway. 14. Red Cardinal (5) (IRE) J: Damien Oliver T: Darren Weir W: 54kg Best Odds: $101 COMMENT: Visually, the Moonee Valley Cup run was just plain, but it was a rock hard track and he hates that. Wants a track with give in it and the forecast is for a shower or two. If the rain comes his chances get a massive boost. 15. Vengeur Masque (2) (IRE) J: TBC T: Michael Moroney W: 54kg Best Odds: $71 COMMENT: Handy stayer for Michael Moroney but I thought he was just fair in the Caulfield Cup. Would need to produce a career best run do go close and I don't think he has that in him. 16. Ventura Storm (7) J: TBC T: D & B Hayes and T Dabernig W: 54kg Best Odds: $31 COMMENT: Got his way into form with a Moonee Valley Cup win, but I'm putting that down largely to an absolute peach of a steer from Mark Zahra. He does normally save his best for Flemington though. Can he win? I doubt it, but he should be included in multiples. 17. A Prince Of Arran (20) (GB) J: Michael Walker T: Charlie Fellowes W: 53kg Best Odds: $17 COMMENT: It is always tough to win the Lexus Stakes on a Saturday then back-up to win the Melbourne Cup on the Tuesday but the horses who try always run well. Of the Lexus winners in recent years A Prince Of Arran looks like one who can win the Cup with plenty of improvement in him as well as being a rock hard stayer. Big player 18. NAKEETA (3) (GB) J: TBC T: Iain Jardine W: 53kg Best Odds: $126 COMMENT: Just snuck into the Field late on Saturday when Red Verdon was ruled out of the race. She was the last one into the race and will likely be the last one home in the race. Pass 19. Sir Charles Road (14) J: TBC T: O’Sullivan and Scott W: 53kg Best Odds: $126 COMMENT: Was game in the Bendigo Cup on Wednesday but that race was won by a near rank outsider. Here to make up the numbers. 20. Zacada (24) J: TBC T: TBC W: 53kg Best Odds: $201 COMMENT: Had no chance the way the track played in the Geelong Cup but his form prior isn't good enough to win a Melbourne Cup. 21. Runaway (12) J: TBC T: G Waterhouse and A Bott W: 52kg Best Odds: $41 COMMENT: Aided by bias to win the Geelong Cup, but he led all the way and will be out of trouble on speed. Leading all the way in a Melbourne Cup is saved for champions. 22. Youngstar (8) J: Craig Williams T: Chris Waller W: 51.5kg Best Odds: $17 COMMENT: Thought she was the best run in the Caulfield Cup. Loved the way she attacked the line off a moderate. Start prior ran similar splits to Winx in the Turnbull. Very confident she'll run the two miles and is clearly in the mix. 23. Cross Counter (19) (GB) J: Kerrin McEvoy T: Charlie Appleby W: 51kg Best Odds: $10 COMMENT: Very progressive gelding for Charlie Appleby. Thought he was very good during the York Carnival when beaten a lip. Has had a setback or two at Werribee but appears over them. Have to respect the stable and their record down under. 24. Rostropovich (21) (IRE) J: TBC T: Aidan O’Brien W: 51kg Best Odds: $26 COMMENT: He was just okay in the Cox Plate. Sat on speed and fought on well. But his form at 2400m is suspect, so has to be a query at 3200m despite being trained by Aidan O'Brien.

Best of Days in the Group 1 Mile added to the balance but only because I had a last minute inclusion of Le Romain in a trifecta. Only the weight beat the horse. Triple Deez wins the last in Adelaide ... the omen pick delivers. haha I'm heading over to Ascot now and then Churchill Downs in morning!

Our 4 picks (so far) will return about 14-1 - a few points extra 'boosted' EPL Saturday at 22:30 Bournemouth v Man Utd Man Utd Win $2.00 EPL Sunday at 02:00 Cardiff v Leicester Leicester Win $2.10 Sunday Serie A 6.45am $1.67 Juventus Win & +2.5 Goals Match Score vs Cagliari Sunday Dutch Eredivisie 4.30am $1.75 PSV Eindhoven Win & +2.5 Goals Match Score vs Vitesse

Well, dreams do come true! Absolute true story below. Had my multiple trifecta picked out for the Derby but didn't include Extra Brut as a winner ... until of course when I woke up at 5am this morning after dreaming that Extra Brut had won. Obviously decided to then include the horse and hey presto, winner winner, chicken dinner. You little ripper!!!

Got the dream run did Shillelagh and the jockey rode for luck ... not sure that was the plan though. It looked a case of make-do and hope for the best. Absolute class mare though, all the same. Our pick (Amphitrite) had no such luck though but you can't win them all. We've still got Thinkin' Big & Snitty Kitty to come so here's hoping - we're with your pick @Gorgoroth

Ha ha ... (now where is that passport!?) I got 2 collects from the Sunlight race including a decent percentage of the F4. I really like Thinkin' Big in the Derby too ... I've got it going in a few bets as well. Fingers crossed!

Sunlight got up for you @Wadda We Sing She is a terrific horse and I reckon we've got a future star WFA sprinter on our hands ... such a fighter and a winner!

I've heard that a few of the big betting agencies have taken a bit of a hit this Spring so that might be it Wadda. My booster odds has been reduced for the last few weeks as well.

What time is it where you are Wadda? 4am? True dedication to the cause I say! We're 2 from 2 with A Prince of Arron winning with 3 good chances to come. 5 best bets today with another 'saver' as insurance.

Yeah that's a first! A reminder that there was triple dead-heat in the Hotham Hcp back in the 50's I believe. For a long time it was the only triple dead-heat recorded. Anyway, down to the 7/11 for the duracells!

Well this particular thread has produced a number of winners when we are on song! Our tips this week are in the post above. Anyway, keep an eye out Gorg and good luck today ?

Very impressive wasn't it DZ ... I was never too concerned about the weight over the 1200m as the horse is a Group horse and is very classy. Well done @Wadda We Sing ... 1 from 1 We've got 4 more tips running around for us today with a saver on the hot tip 'Shillelagh' in Race 6. A 'received' tip so it can be thrown into the mix. All Flemington ... Race 4 No. 2 A Prince of Arron $4.20 Race 6 No.15 Amphitrite $4.60 Race 7 No.1 Thinkin' Big $3.60 Race 9 No.2 Snitty Kitty $8.00

Yeah it is definitely a real chance ... David Gately has marked it on top. It looks well suited at the set weights & penalties too. 1100m is ideal.

@Wadda We Sing has already picked Osborne Bulls

Nathan Exelby (who?) of the Courier Mail has tipped Quackerjack to win and he's the only tipster to include the horse in any way. Which kinda makes one sit up and take notice DZ! ? Carbine Club Stakes Tips (Herald/Sun)

Both mine are short odds this week but reasonably confident with both, all the same Sunday Serie A 6.45am $1.67 Juventus Win & +2.5 Goals Match Score vs Cagliari Sunday Dutch Eredivisie 4.30am $1.75 PSV Eindhoven Win & +2.5 Goals Match Score vs Vitesse

Just to clear things up ... we put forward our own tips but putting forward 'received' tips are always welcome. Everyone loves the hot tip. If there is a clash, we can sort that out as individuals. So the above conversation is a case of cross-wires rather than anything else. Anyway, anyone got a tip for the Valley tonight? ? The fields are a bit on the thin side with a host of BM64's on show.

There is no need to apologise PD ... we each put forward a tip and the unwritten rule is that you steer clear of a race that has been taken up already. The tips are for the benefit of others so having 2 tips in the 1 race defeats the purpose of the concept. What we are doing here is a departure from the usual way of receiving tips ... which can often leave the punter scratching his or her head if there are a multitude of different tips in any given race. It is more of a team concept here where we often trust each others tips.

In the post directly above yours DZ already has a tip in race 6. Do you have another one PD as we don't want to be betting against each other.

Best Bet Flemington Race 4 No.2 A Prince of Arron $4.60 (Win)

Another fabulous line-up of races for Derby Day with each race having at least 3 or 4 standout runners that readily come to mind in. For those who prefer the exotics, it's a punters paradise. I'm back to my default mode of Box5 trifectas but as always, an element of luck is always involved. Feeling reasonably confident, all the same. Finding the best bets is tricky as well ... a number of our previous picks are running around again including Sunlight, Oohood, Osborne Bulls, Cliff's Edge, Le Romain, Don't Give a Damn (Rosehill) and a few others. Full Card Derby Day Flemington Full Card Rosehill

Australian Group & Listed Races Best Bet Strike Rate 48: 17 - 6 - 8 And here's Winx winning her 4th WS Cox Plate