Will he stay? That's the question on everyone's lips and if the answer is yes then SO YOU THINK will surely provide Bart Cummings with his 13th victory in the Melbourne Cup. He should take the beating but there's little value in his price and his low draw could force Steven Arnold's hand tactically so I want a second string to our bow. Maluckyday, Descarado and Americain have obvious claims as alternatives and Shocking has drifted to a tempting price but Manighar is closely matched with Americain on European form, represents a team with a decent record in the race yet is several points bigger so gets the nod as an each-way alternative.
Shocking (AUS) (9-4) 6th of 12, 20l behind So You Think (9-2) at Flemington(AUS) 1m 2f Grp 1 in Oct.
Campanologist (USA) 4-1 (9-10) Prominent, pushed along over 2f out, soon ridden and outpaced, stayed on inside final furlong to take well held 3rd last stride, 3rd of 7, 6l behind Dangerous Midge (9-3) at Newbury 1m 3f Grp 3 (1) gd in Sep.
So You Think (NZ) 4-7fav (9-2) Headway 2f out, tracked leaders, clear final furlong, easily, won at Flemington(AUS) 1m 2f Grp 1 in Oct, 12 ran.
Zipping (AUS) (9-4) 2nd of 10, 1 1/4l behind So You Think (9-1) at Moonee Valley(AUS) 1m 2f Grp 1 gs in Oct.
Illustrious Blue 7-1 (9-4) Last to break, held up in rear, ridden 3f out, edged right well over 1f out, stayed on inside final furlong, nearest finish, 5th of 8, 2l behind Opinion Poll (9-1) at York 2m Grp 2 (1) gd in Aug.
Mr Medici (IRE) (8-9) 6th of 18, 4 1/2l behind Descarado (8-4) at Caulfield(AUS) 1m 4f Grp 1 hcp hvy in Oct.
Shoot Out (AUS) (9-2) Mid-division 2f out, ran on, 4th of 12, 7l behind So You Think (9-2) at Flemington(AUS) 1m 2f Grp 1 in Oct.
Americain (USA) 10-1 (9-2) won at Geelong(AUS) 1m 4f G3 hcp (1) gs in Oct beating Moudre (8-8) by hd, 15 ran.
Tokai Trick (JPN) (8-8) 12th of 18, 13l behind Descarado (8-4) at Caulfield(AUS) 1m 4f Grp 1 hcp hvy in Oct.
Buccellati (AUS) (8-7) 16th of 18, 19l behind Descarado (8-4) at Caulfield(AUS) 1m 4f Grp 1 hcp hvy in Oct.
Descarado (NZ) 12-1 (9-2) Led to 2f out, ran on, no chance with winner, 2nd of 12, 4l behind So You Think (9-2) at Flemington(AUS) 1m 2f Grp 1 in Oct.
Harris Tweed (NZ) (8-7) 2nd of 18, 1l behind Descarado (8-4) at Caulfield(AUS) 1m 4f Grp 1 hcp hvy in Oct.
Manighar (FR) (8-7) 5th of 18, 3l behind Descarado (8-4) at Caulfield(AUS) 1m 4f Grp 1 hcp hvy in Oct.
Master O'Reilly (AUS) (8-9) 8th of 15, 6l behind Precedence (8-13) at Moonee Valley(AUS) 1m 4f Grp 2 gs in Oct.
Monaco Consul (NZ) (8-7) 3rd of 18, 2 1/4l behind Descarado (8-4) at Caulfield(AUS) 1m 4f Grp 1 hcp hvy in Oct.
Profound Beauty (IRE) 5-2 (9-8) Tracked leaders in 5th, improved into 3rd travelling well entering straight, led 1 1/2f out, strongly pressed final furlong, headed 100 yards from finish, kept on under pressure without threatening winner, 2nd of 8, 3/4l behind Sans Frontieres (9-11) at Curragh 1m 6f Grp 1 (1) in Sep.
Zavite (NZ) (8-7) 7th of 18, 8l behind Descarado (8-4) at Caulfield(AUS) 1m 4f Grp 1 hcp hvy in Oct.
Holberg (UAE) 11-10fav (9-0) Made most, quickened over 4f out, ridden 2f out, joined inside final furlong, just prevailed in hard fought battle, won at Goodwood 1m 2f Listed stks (1) gf in Sep beating Pink Symphony (8-3) by shd, 5 ran.
Precedence (NZ) (8-13) won at Moonee Valley(AUS) 1m 4f Grp 2 gs in Oct, 15 ran.
Red Ruler (NZ) 80-1 (8-13) 6th of 14, 8l behind Maluckyday (8-5) at Flemington(AUS) 1m 4f hcp Grp 3 in Oct.
Linton (AUS) 11-4fav (8-10) 2nd of 14, 1 3/4l behind Maluckyday (8-5) at Flemington(AUS) 1m 4f hcp Grp 3 in Oct.
Once Were Wild (AUS) 12-1 (8-9) 3rd of 14, 2l behind Maluckyday (8-5) at Flemington(AUS) 1m 4f hcp Grp 3 in Oct.
Maluckyday (NZ) 11-2 (8-5) won at Flemington(AUS) 1m 4f hcp Grp 3 in Oct, 14 ran.
Bauer (IRE) 66-1 (9-3) In touch, pushed along over 2f out, soon outpaced, kept on same pace inside final furlong, 4th of 7, 6l behind Dangerous Midge (9-3) at Newbury 1m 3f Grp 3 (1) gd in Sep.
