Melbourne Cup, Caulfield Cup, Cox Plate Picture Changes
Weekend Hussler’s defeat in last Saturday’s Turnbull Stakes has thrown the big three spring races wide open.
The Hussler was a fractional odds favourite for both the Caulfield Cup and Cox Plate but has eased dramatically in both races after his failure in the Turnbull threw a big query on his ability to ‘stay’. He has also dropped way out in Melbourne Cup Betting.
Though given a torrid run in transit, Weekend Hussler was still disappointing in the straight and wilted to be beaten six lengths.
On the other hand, perennial non-winner Littorio bucked that tag with the addition of blinkers as he scored an impressive Turnbull win.
He was advantaged by the weight scale on Saturday, but it was a soft win on the line and he is now a dominant favourite for Saturday week’s Caulfield Cup.
He is also into second favourite for the Melbourne Cup, behind only Efficient, who turned in another pleasing effort in the Turnbull.
In Cox Plate betting, New Zealander Princess Coup has assumed favouritism, following her dominant victory in the G1 Kelt Capital Stakes on Saturday. She is set to have her next start in the Cox Plate and is hoping to improve on five Group 1 placings in Australia.
Weekend Hussler is second elect for the Cox Plate after his defeat on Saturday. As far as the Caulfield Cup is concerned, trainer Ross McDonald intends to press on in the hope he can draw a good barrier, which will give him a better chance of running out the 2400m.
Last year’s Caulfield Cup Betting winner Master O’Reilly showed he was right on target for another tilt with his slashing second in the Turnbull.
He had to concede 4kg to Littorio on Saturday and meets the winner on better terms on Saturday week. You can get Melbourne Cup Odds now
