My dear departed father's System for picking Melbourne Cup winners {"The System"} has been around since the Great Depression.
The System has thrown up close to 40 winners since the war, so that's a strike rate of more or less one in two Cups.
After an unusually prolonged drought, The System finally found a winner in Protectionist last year.
But who can forget the glory days with winners like Delta Blues, Ethereal, Brew, Rogan Josh, the legend surrounding Doriemus, and of course Tawriffic, who had the race won at the turn and saluted the judge at 33/1!?
The System usually identifies a handful of runners that can win the Cup, and this year has found three - then the choice is yours; or back all three, or trifecta them, or do nothing, or go mad with it.
Rob's modus operandi was to back the longest priced runner until your nose bleeds, and keep the others safe.
So here's my little annual form guide to the only three nags that can win the Melbourne Cup:
4. OUR IVANHOWE [GER] 56kg. 6yo h. T: L&A Freedman. J: B.Melham. (22). Well travelled import who has raced in England, Germany, France and Japan. Noted mudlark who revels in heavy conditions. Has form to go on, and came into The System with an impressive 3rd Caulfield Cup. Should get the trip. Extreme outside barrier and weight will play against him, but in a canny stable and set for this race a long way out. Will be among the favourites on a wet track. Respect.
10. TRIP TO PARIS [IRE] 55kg. 5yo g. T: E.Dunlop. J: T.Berry. (14). Out-and-out stayer. Won on all kinds of tracks in England, and at this distance. and is nicely in at the weights. Rocketed into the system with an eye catching 2nd Caulfield Cup, running on, looking for extra distance. Only a short preparation this time in, but will stay the two miles. Ideally drawn. Deserved second favourite behind Japanese raider. Should be prominent at the Clocktower, and right in this at the finish.
19. PRINCE OF PENZANCE [NZ] 53kg. 6yo g. T: D.K.Weir. J. Ms M.Payne. (1).
Dour stayer. Rank outsider in this, having been spelled for almost a year before this preparation. Now has plenty of miles in the legs.Trip a query. No form to speak of until he crept into The System almost un-noticed with a creditable, if plodding, 2nd Moonee Valley Gold Cup. Absolute boil over if he wins this, but at his best on soft going and has the country's best female hoop on board who knows her way around Flemington. Back on the nose to win a small fortune.
Enjoy!
