1/ Big Orange (GB) (Duke of Marmalade x Miss Brown to You, by Fasliyev) – There's some breeding! For those that follow commercial pedigrees, he's by a less than successful son of Danehill (now banished to South Africa) from a daughter of a stallion widely seen as very disappointing, who ended his days in Japan. That said he's from the family of Red Cadeaux and given how hard that horse tried to win a Cup, it would be nice to see his cousin do it for him!
2/ Our Ivanhowe (Ger) (Soldier Hollow x Indigo Girl, by Sternkonig) – German thoroughbreds are super tough and can stay as we saw with 2014 winner Protectionist.
3/ Curren Mirotic (Jpn) (Hearts Cry x Star Amie, by AP Indy) - Likewise Japanese bred horses, especially one like this who is a grand-son of Sunday Silence from a daughter of a French Oaks winner.
4/ Bondi Beach (IRE) (Galileo x One Moment in Time, by Danehill) – By arguably the best sire in the world from a daughter of the best sire we've ever seen in Australia, although failed here last year from wide gate. Bigger and stronger and better gate this time puts him in the picture.
5/ Exospheric ((GB) (Beat Hollow x Bright and Clear, by Danehill) – Had to have a name change so punters would not get confused with that other big black Australian sprinting beast Exosphere, who could not run a Melbourne Cup trip if fired from a gun. This one is better equipped for the job as his sire is a son of Sadler's Wells and dam was placed in Italian Oaks and Cheshire Oaks.
6/ Hartnell (GB) (Authorized x Debonnaire, by Anabaa) – Outstanding horse and has had three goes at two miles for a Listed win back in the UK in 2014, a fourth in the Sydney Cup and a 15th in the Melbourne Cup last year. In career best form and has the right pedigree, but in all honesty I don't see this as his best distance.
7/ Who Shot the Barman (NZ) (Yamanin Vital x Ears Control, by Carolingian) – Obscure NZ pedigree that screams stayer and guess what, that's exactly what he is!
8/ Wicklow Brave (Beat Hollow x Moraine, by Rainbow Quest) – By the same sire as Exospheric, but much more stoutly bred on the dam's side so on pedigree he'd be the better of the two to run the trip.
9/ Almoonqith (USA) ( Dynaformer x Bohemian Lady, by Carson City) – By the same sire as 2010 winner Americain, but he's no Americain!
10/ Gallante (Montjeu x Crazy Volume, by Machiavellian) – Proven at two miles and by the great sire of stayers Montjeu, who gave us 2012 winner Green Moon.
11/ Grand Marshal (Dansili x Margarula, by Doyoun ) – Proven at two miles, by an outstanding Danehill son from an Irish Oaks winner.
12/ Jameka (Myboycharlie x Mine Game, by General Nediym) – On face value Jameka is bred to be a sprinter, but wins in the VRC Oaks and Caulfield Cup suggest otherwise and she does have a grand-mother by Grosvenor, who won at 2200 metres. Pedigree hasn't stopped her staying yet so no real reason to think it will on Tuesday either.
13/ Heartbreak City (Fr) (Lando x Moscow Nights, by Peintre Celebre ) – By a champion German galloper that won the Japan Cup and is all over a stayer on his female side of the pedigree, which is reflected in his form. This horse will run all day and if they add some jumps he can do that too!
14/ Sir John Hawkwood (IRE) (Sir Percy x Athene, Rousillon) – By an Epsom Derby winner and if you think the dam sire Rousillon sounds familiar that's because he is the sire of the 1993 Cup winner Vintage Crop.
15/ Excess Knowledge (GB) (Monsun x Quenched, by Dansili) – Again we see that German staying blood through the sire Monsun, who has already given us Cup winners Protectionist and Fiorente. Ran well last year.
16/ Beautiful Romance (GB) (New Approach x Mazuna, by Cape Cross) – By an Epsom Derby winner and dam was a G3 winner to 2400m and comes with plenty of staying blood, so although on trial at trip she could easily appreciate it.
17/ Almandin (Ger) (Monsun x Anatola, by Tiger Hill) – Here we go, another German bred and this one has no weight and has hit peak form at right time for a stable that makes a habit of winning the race. I think we've hit the jackpot!
18/ Assign (IRE) (Montjeu x Belesta, by Xaar) - Another by Montjeu and is the stayer his pedigree suggests.
19/ Grey Lion (IRE) (Galileo x Grey Lilas, by Danehill) – Bred on arguably the best cross in the world today that has produced champions such as Frankel and recent Arc winner Found. He's nowhere near as good as them but doesn't have to be. Is a brother to a French Oaks winner and has enough staying blood on dam side to get the job done and pedigree of trainer Matt Cumani is a massive plus!
20 / Oceanographer (GB) (Sea the Stars x Que Puntual, by Contested Bid) – By the champion half-brother to Galileo in Sea the Stars, who sired this year's Epsom Derby winner Harzand, and his dam is South American. Judging by the way he ran through the line on Saturday, longer trip no issue.
21 / Secret Number (GB) (Raven's Pass x Mysterial by Alleged) - He's a European that is not blessed with a particularly stout family given he is a sibling to a couple of Group I winning milers and his sire Raven's Pass (by Sepoy's sire Elusive Quality) did win a Breeders Cup Classic, but was far better known as a miler. Pedigree does raise a real query, although he has won up to 2500m.
22/ Pentathlon (NZ) (Pentire x Pinder's Prize, by Prized) - Another Kiwi bred stayer by the same sire as last year's winner Prince of Penzance and has won at the trip.
23/ Qewy (IRE) (Street Cry x Princess Nada, by Barathea) – By the sire of Winx that has already given us 2009 Cup winner Shocking. From the family of one of the best sires in the world in Dubawi and has already won to 3300m.
24/ Rose of Virginia (NZ) (Thorn Park x Centapin, by Pins) – Bred in NZ, but sired by an Aussie bred sprinter in Thorn Park from the daughter of another Aussie bred sprinter miler in Pins. Further back there is Kiwi staying blood which explains her second in the Auckland Cup at 3200m.
Selections
1/ Almandin
2/ Big Orange
3/ Grey Lion
Roughie
Heartbreak City
