Max Hitchins – known as Melbourne-Cup-Max – very likely knows more about the race that stops a nation than anyone else, including being able to quote the first, second and third place-getters in the past 100 Melbourne Cups.
He produces a series of short videos and an annual e-Book to help pick the winner of the upcoming race.
Between now and the big race on 3 November Max will share information with PubTIC readers.
Update – 3 weeks to go
Early on Saturday, 3 October, 29 international gallopers arrived in Melbourne from the United Kingdom.
As it stands, there appear to be six internationals that seem certain to head for the Caulfield Cup on the 17th of October: Anthony Van Dyck, Buckhurst, True Self, Dashing Willoughby, Prince Of Arran and Port Guillaume.
But another four – Nickajack Cave (38th in ballot order), Ashrun (42nd), Skyward (43rd) and Le Don De Vie (44th) – are all seeking any race offering them the opportunity to move up the ballot order and into the Caulfield and/or Melbourne Cups.
Of the 29 arrivals on Saturday morning, 13 of them have been purchased by local interests to continue their racing careers in Australia. Details on the horses and profiles HERE.
These races tomorrow (Saturday 10 October) may have a bearing on the Melbourne Cup:
Caulfield Stakes: Caulfield R#6. Time:3.10pm (Melb Time)
The last horse to win the Caulfield Stakes and the Melbourne Cup in the same year was Rising Fast in 1954. However, since 1980, the following Melbourne Cup winners have run in the Caulfield Stakes in the same year they won the Melbourne Cup: 2001 – Ethereal, 6th; 1998 – Jezabeel, 6th; 1994 – Jeune, 2nd; 1992 – Subzero, 8th; 1985 – What A Nuisance, 6th.
Herbert Power Stakes: Caulfield R#10. Time: 5.45pm (Melb Time)
Since 1970 the following Melbourne Cup winners have run in the Herbert Power Stakes before going on to win the Cup in the same year. Here is how they performed in the Herbert Power Stakes: 2015 – Prince Of Penzance, 8th; 2014 – Protectionist, 4th; 2009 – Shocking, 2nd; 1999 – Rogan Josh, 1st; 1986 – At Talaq, 4th; 1981 – Just A Dash, 7th; 1980 – Beldale Ball, 2nd; 1978 – Arwon, 1st; 1976 – Van Der Hum, 1st; 1973 – Gala Supreme, 1st; 1970 – Baghdad Note, 2nd.
In 2005, Leica Falcon won the Herbert Power and then went on to run 4th in the Melbourne Cup. In 2004, Zazzman ran 3rd in the Herbert Power and went on to run 3rd in the Melbourne Cup. In 1996, Skybeau ran 3rd in the Herbert Power Stakes and went on to run 3rd in the Melbourne Cup. Note: Protectionist ran 4th in 2014 carrying 59kgs in this race. He dropped to 55.5kgs and won the 2014 Melbourne Cup. Watch HERE
Also, 2019 Placings in the Herbert Power: (both probably in 2020 Cup): 1st – The Chosen One, 2nd – Prince Of Arran.
Lesson from last week: Persan won the ‘Bart Cummings’ at Flemington. In doing so he secured automatic entry into the 2020 Melbourne Cup. Persan has placed in his last 10 starts (that’s impressive).
Learn more about him in this short video I prepared: