10/11/2000 edition

Melbourne Cup Flops

The overseas horses came again and failed again in the Melbourne Cup. Yet before the race they looked very well credentialed. The best result was by Arctic Owl, a well beaten fifth. The others were beaten out of sight. Enzeli-15th., Lightning Arrow-17th. and Far Cry-21st.

It is becoming only too obvious now that just about every overseas  horse is simply not up to the task. Consider what is against them:
1. The travel to this country.
2. Adjusting to new surroundings including quarantine.
3. Acclimatising to our hot weather. 

For overseas horses to race anywhere to their rankings here they need to arrive  months in advance of Melbourne Cup Day, that first Tuesday in November, be given a decent chance to acclimatise and also compete in some lead up races. Hit and run raids look doomed to failure. 

If the horses continue to be sent here in hit and run raids then unless the Cup is run on a cool day with the sting out of the track it may well pay to consider the overseas horses as virtually scratchings. 

Next: Punt to Win 7/11/2000

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