5/11/2002 edition

How Does Your Cup Horse Rate?

Pugin

No9
53.5kg.
B h 5 yrs
Barrier 15
Jockey - Frankie Dettori
Trainer - Saeed Bin Suror
9 starts, 3-3-0
Last five starts - s8s12
Prizemoney $313,223
Average Prizemoney $34,802
Handles all track conditions.
Melbourne Cup distance - 0 st. 0-0-0

The Godolphin recently purchased this lightly raced stayer as a likely Melbourne Cup winner.

At his most recent start, on September 14, when formerly trained by John Oxx, Pugin finished 1.5 lengths second behind Vinnie Roe in the Group 1 Irish St. Leger over 2816 metres. Both horses carried 61kg.

Rain Gauge

No10
53.5kg.
Br h 5 yrs
Barrier 14
Jockey - Greg Childs
Trainer - George Hanlon
36 starts, 5-5-7
Last five starts - 54772
Prizemoney $652,300
Average Prizemoney $18,119
Handles all track conditions.
Melbourne Cup distance - 1 st. 0-0-0

He finished an unlucky sixth in last year's Cup after being checked on the home turn.

In this year's Caulfield Cup, after settling well back in the field, Rain Gauge made up plenty of ground and was only beaten two lengths by Northerly. Rain Gauge followed up with an unlucky second to Thong Classic in the Moonee Valley Gold Cup over 2500 metres on October 26. In some circles, they believe Rain Gauge should have won the protest.

Rain Gauge drops 2.5kg. from that run and has the same weight as in the Caulfield Cup. He looks one of the best local chances.

Beekeeper

No11
53kg.
B h 5 yrs
Barrier 20
Jockey - Kerrin McEvoy
Trainer - Saeed Bin Suroor
8 starts, 3-0-0
Last five starts - s9s16
Prizemoney $185,229
Average Prizemoney $23,153
Has only raced on Good rated tracks.
Melbourne Cup distance - 0 sts. 0-0-0

This lightly raced stayer was very unlucky in the Caulfield Cup. He got back in the field and never had a clear crack at them in the straight until the race was all over. He hit the line as good as anything in the race, finishing less than two lengths behind Northerly.

He raced like he can get the 3200 metres, but you can never be certain until they have raced over the distance. If Beekeeper gets the distance he is right in the race. But the wide barrier is a worry. It will take all of year 2000 Melbourne Cup winning jockey Kerrin McEvoy's skill to ensure Beekeeper has a good run.

County Tyrone

No12
52.5kg.
B g 4 yrs
Barrier 9
Jockey - Jim Cassidy
Trainer - Max Lees
20 starts, 6-0-2
Last five starts - 00878
Prizemoney $389,650
Average Prizemoney $19,482
Handles all track conditions, but is better with some sting out.
Melbourne Cup distance - 0 sts. 0-0-0

County Tyrone's claim to fame was winning the Queensland Derby in June this year.

The stayer resumed in August and has had five runs. His best performance was being beaten 1.7 lengths in the Group 3 Coongy Handicap at Caulfield on October 19, run over 2000 metres. He started at $26.00 in that race.

County Tyrone's run the following week in the Moonee Valley Cup will have topped him off nicely. the slow pace was against him when he finished 4.7 lengths behind the winner, Thong Classic.

In the Cup County Tyrone will get a much better pace to suit. The big question is whether he will get the distance. If he does, he'll be running on strongly at the end and figuring in the finish. He could be a bit of a smokey.

This edition of Punt to Win:
Melbourne Cup facts and figures
How does your Melbourne Cup horse rate?
Vinnie Roe, Jardines Lookout, Daliapour, Sandmason
Helene Vitality, Hatha Anna, Freemason, Maguire
Pugin, Rain Gauge, Beekeeper, County Tyrone
Hail, Media Puzzle, Mr. Prudent, Pentastic
Prized Gem, Victory Smile, Cyclades, Distinctly Secret
Grey Song, Thong Classic, Miss Meliss, Requiem
Punt to Win 1/11/2002
Punt to Win index

Betting packages

Back Tote Longshots?

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