It’s been a tough couple of years for most of us, and that of course extends to most areas of life. One area we might have imagined would remain untouched is sports, but across the board showpiece events associated with sporting excellence were cancelled. Here I’m thinking of the Grand National, the postponement of the Olympics (until 2021) and more besides. Of course conditions in individual countries differed and so thankfully due to the relatively advantageous pandemic situation in Australia at the time, the Melbourne Cup 2020, did go ahead. Unfortunately though a little of the atmosphere was lost due to the fact that neither members of the public nor owners were allowed to be on course for the event. Still, the race set off on 3rd November, with a total prize money of A$8 million. It was won by Twlight Payment trained by Joseph O’Brien and ridden by Jye McNeil.
With 2020 now behind us and the world situation still unclear, it’s a real positive at least that the 2021 Melbourne Cup still looks to also be going ahead (this time on Tuesday 2nd November). It may well be useful to check the Melbourne Cup betting offers even at this early stage, as many bookmakers will be looking to draw punters in early. Competition will be fierce on account that this is certainly a race that gets punters talking.
The race will of course again take place at Flemington Racecourse and at time of writing whether there will be crowds or not this year is an unknown. A consensus is possibly building around the idea that there might not be, but even if that is the case let’s not let that take away from what will no doubt be an unmissable spectacle of amazing thoroughbred racing action in this its 161st running (the first being in 1875). Run over 3200m and with once again top prize money on offer, expect the best of the racing world to go head to head. It’s not known as ‘the race that stops a nation’ for nothing.
Taking place at 3pm at the day in question and broadcast on Channel 10 in Australia, plenty of horses are inevitably nominated to take part in the race, but ultimately only 24 will be able to do so. So who is in the running to take top prize in this showpiece handicapped race this year? Well, while it could be argued that it’s very early in the day to start making predictions. Current favourite at 12-1 with bookmakers is Spanish Mission, and others seen as being in the running at this stage are Prince of Arran (3rd last year), Realm of Flowers, Tiger Moth (who finished 2nd last year), Incentivise and Tarnawa. It should be an exciting affair!