Heading to Ascot on Melbourne Cup day?
You’ll know the first Tuesday in November is one of the trickiest days on the calendar to pick a winner.
Thankfully, our equine equaliser Wayne Currall knows a thing or two about ponies.
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He’s cast his eye over the field with a fine-toothed comb and reckons he’s got the three best bets of the day.
Here are Wayne’s tips for what is a bumper day at Ascot.
Race 6
No. 5 Danehill’s Daughter
The Stephen Rowe-trained four-year-old mare looks a good thing in the Salinger Handicap over 1600m. Expect strong challenges from Big Red Costa and Celtic Wizard.
Race 8
No.11 Caipirinha
He may be named after Brazil’s national cocktail, but the Simon Miller-trained Caipirinha is a steady bet in race 8. With a win and two second-places in his last three starts, the eight-year-old gelding looks well placed.
Race 9
No. 8 O’reilly’s Crumpet
With William Pike on board, O’reilly’s Crumpet looks the one to beat in the last of the day. Don’t discount the Wally Mitchell-trained Kiwi Big Setup though, which at $7 might be worth an each way nod.
And for the big one, the 2016 Melbourne Cup, we like:
No.17 Almandin
The Robert Hickmott-trained six-year-old has had a nice preparation, and has a seasoned campaigner in Kerrin McEvoy on board. He won the 2500m Bart Cummings at Flemington a month ago before being rested for the Cup.