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Your 2014 Melbourne Cup Complete Guide, by Andrew Hawkins
November is here, which means only one thing – the Melbourne Cup, the race that stops the nation for three minutes on the first Tuesday in November every year, is back once again. If you've come to this post, I figure you are wanting to know about the horses that will be lining up on Tuesday.
If you just want to know who I'm selecting, bypassing all the stats, click here!
This is the seventh extensive preview we've produced, and it just seems to get longer and longer each year. It's a labour of love, but it's also something I thoroughly enjoy. These days, I may work in Hong Kong racing, but it was the Melbourne Cup which first set me on a path to a career in the industry and it remains a passion.
This Melbourne Cup is a bit disappointing – far from the strongest I've seen, and it looks to have a very long tail – but among the live chances there are some fascinating angles. Will the Japanese win the Cup again? Can Britain finally get the Cup for the first time, or can Germany steal it away? Can the four nine-year-olds become the first from that age bracket to win the race?
After hours of deliberation and consternation, we've finally settled on a top four for the Melbourne Cup. This has changed numerous times, but now this is published, we're set in stone!
Good luck if you have a bet in the race, whoever you choose – and let's face it, why wouldn't you have a bet on Melbourne Cup day?
I was privileged to join English guys Luke Elder, Michael Andrews and Adam Webb on their On The Other Hoof webcast to dissect the runners. Watch the video below.
This year, I've tried to add a replay for as many runners as possible – I've managed to get a video for most runners, but will chase up those for the remainder in the coming days.
To navigate easily to each runner (for stats, colours and a full assessment of each runner), click on the runner's name below. You can also go to my analysis of the speed, my summary of the entire race and my selections by clicking below. Otherwise, feel free to scroll through the preview!
Heart's Cry x Admire Teresa (Helissio), 7yo bay horse
Bred in: Japan
Nationality: Japan
Trainer: Tomoyuki Umeda
Jockey: Zac Purton
Weight: 58.5kg
Career stats: 27:7-6-5
Win/place percentages: 26%/67%
Last 5 starts: 40x20x1
Distances won at: 1 (3400m), 2 (2400m), 1 (2200m), 2 (2000m), 1 (1800m)
Biggest win: Group 1 Caulfield Cup (2400m), Caulfield, October 18 2014
Best Melbourne Cup effort: First attempt
Luxbet fixed odds (as at 7pm, Saturday November 1): $5
Luxbet fixed odds (as at 7pm, Sunday November 2): $5
Luxbet fixed odds (as at 11pm, Monday November 3): $6
Summary of his chances: Dominant Caulfield Cup winner better suited up in trip at the bigger course and looks hard to beat, despite history saying it is tough with his weight.
Predicted finish: 3rd
Couldn't have been more impressive in the Caulfield Cup, and comes to Flemington aiming to become just the 12th horse to win the Cups double – the Caulfield Cup and Melbourne Cup in the same year. He's attempting to join the likes of Poseidon, Rising Fast, Galilee, Let's Elope and Might And Power, so it's no mean feat.
He arrived from Japan as a winner of a sole Group 3, the Diamond Stakes over 3400m at Tokyo racecourse in February 2013, which caused some snickering about the fact he was to be topweight in both Cups.
He did have a fourth to Gentildonna, Denim And Ruby and Tosen Jordan in last year's Japan Cup over 2400m (finishing ahead of Melbourne and Caulfield Cup winner Dunaden and last year's Melbourne Cup fourth Simenon), as well as a fourth to top stayers Fenomeno, Tosen Ra and Red Cadeaux in last year's Tenno Sho Spring over 3200m, so it wasn't entirely without merit.
However, he showed either how underrated the Japanese horses are as a whole or how weak the Australian crop is at the moment when he produced a barnstorming run to win the Caulfield Cup. He was wide most of the way, albeit with cover for the majority, and was pushed towards the outside fence on the home turn, but wound up very powerfully to run over Rising Romance late.
I always thought Bande, who was scratched from the Caulfield Cup, would be Japan's best Caulfield Cup chance, with Admire Rakti much better suited at Flemington. That's why I had a very small wager at 100-1 on him just before the first spring nominations in August. I still think he will be better suited in the Melbourne Cup which is a frightening prospect for those who oppose him here.
He's definitely the one they all have to beat, but there are a few statistics against him.
Think Big in 1975 was the last horse to win the Melbourne Cup with 58.5kg. Since then, 19 have carried 58.5kg or more and only two have placed – Kingston Town when second in 1982, when he arguably should have won, and Vintage Crop when third in 1995. Also since then, the only horses to carry over 56kg to victory were Gold and Black (57kg, 1977), Jeune (56.5kg, 1994) and Makybe Diva (58kg, 2005).
There are a couple of big differences now though. The weight scale, for one. In 1975, topweight Think Big gave 12.5kg to the third placegetter Medici, the bottomweight with 46kg. Nearly twenty years later, when Jeune won, three horses got in on the minimum of 48.5kg. When Makybe Diva won in 2005, two horses scraped in under 50kg.
These days, 50kg is the minimum weight and this year, no horse gets in on the minimum. So instead, there is less of a spread of weights and the effort to carry 58.5kg is completely different to the effort required by the likes of Think Big.
So the weight is not a major factor in my thinking – if he does lose, it won't be the sole factor that stopped him.
He must rank as a major player.
Here is his Caulfield Cup win:
Halling x Silversword (Highest Honor), 9yo bay horse
Reset x Dane Belltar (Danewin), 7yo bay/brown gelding
Bred in: Australia
Nationality: Australia
Trainer: Robert Hickmott
Jockey: Nick Hall
Weight: 57kg
Career stats: 25:10-5-3
Win/place percentages: 40%/72%
Last 5 starts: 6x7x121
Distances won at: 1 (2400m), 1 (2000m), 1 (1800m), 1 (1610m), 3 (1600m), 1 (1410m), 2 (1400m)
Biggest win: Group 1 Caulfield Cup (2400m), Caulfield, October 19 2013
Best Melbourne Cup effort: 6th, 2013 (one attempt)
Luxbet fixed odds (as at 7pm, Saturday November 1): $8.50
Luxbet fixed odds (as at 7pm, Sunday November 2): $9
Luxbet fixed odds (as at 11pm, Monday November 3): $8
Summary of his chances: He's flying but the last 200m will be a concern. Still a chance though.
Predicted finish: 7th
Last year's Caulfield Cup winner who is in the form of his life.
He'd always looked a good miler in the making, reaching a high when finishing second in the Emirates Stakes in 2012. Since then, though, he has progressed. He boasts a Group 1 placing behind the champion mare Black Caviar in the William Reid Stakes, and placed in last year's Turnbull Stakes before finally breaking through at the top level in the Caulfield Cup. He finished sixth in last year's Melbourne Cup.
This preparation, he was just edged out fresh in the Makybe Diva Stakes by Dissident, before just holding on to win the Caulfield Stakes. Last week, in the Cox Plate, he raced up to take the lead and beat all but the phenomenal Adelaide.
Clearly, he's the form galloper of the field, bringing weight-for-age form in as he heads back into a handicap with compressed weights. He must be considered a very live chance.
The biggest concern is the two-mile journey. Last year, he was a long last and had to make his run around the field, eventually finishing sixth but weakening noticeably in the final furlong.
This season, though, he's been settling closer in his races so it would be a surprise to see him back last again. If he was to get a dream run through the field, then the distance is less a concern and his class may shine through.
Must be considered.
Here is his win in the Caulfield Stakes:
Cadeaux Genereux x Artisia (Peintre Celebre), 9yo chestnut gelding
Bred in: Great Britain
Nationality: Great Britain
Trainer: Ed Dunlop
Jockey: Gerald Mosse
Weight: 57kg
Career stats: 46:7-11-6
Win/place percentages: 15%/52%
Last 5 starts: 4x60x47
Distances won at: 2 (2816m), 1 (2460m), 1 (2430m), 2 (2414m), 1 (2400m)
Biggest win: Group 1 Hong Kong Vase (2400m), Sha Tin, December 9 2012
Best Melbourne Cup effort: 2nd, 2011 and 2013 (three attempts)
Luxbet fixed odds (as at 7pm, Saturday November 1): $18
Luxbet fixed odds (as at 7pm, Sunday November 2): $19
Luxbet fixed odds (as at 11pm, Monday November 3): $21
Summary of his chances: Looks out of form but his past record in this race ensures he's a major player.
Predicted finish: 2nd
What more can you say about Red Cadeaux? He belongs amongst a special club of horses, of which perhaps only he and Cirrus des Aigles belong – although a horse like Side Glance is quickly bidding for membership. These are the globetrotters who turn up year after year at all the major carnivals of the world, always running an honest race and garnering a larger fan base with every start.
I was asked recently where I had seen Red Cadeaux. The answer? At Flemington, at Royal Ascot, at Meydan, in Singapore and Hong Kong. He is just a phenomenal warhorse.
This season, he has been showing signs of his age and he hasn't looked quite the same horse.Since last year's second to Fiorente, he finished fourth to Dominant, The Fugue and Mount Athos in the Hong Kong Vase, before a well-beaten sixth in the Dubai World Cup. That run may not be as bad as it looks on paper, though, as he finished alongside two of the world's top 2000m horses in Side Glance and Akeed Mofeed. He then went to Japan to run in the Tenno Sho (Spring) in May, but he couldn't match his third last year and finished 14th.
This is the run that may hold the key to his Melbourne Cup chances. That day, he finished alongside Admire Rakti at level weights. Here, he meets Admire Rakti in receipt of 1.5kg. Last year, he finished a length and three quarters ahead of the Japanese runner in the same race, so the comparison is solid enough.
Since returning to England, where he notoriously seems to underperform, he was a satisfactory fourth behind Seismos and Willing Foe in the Geoffrey Freer Stakes, a similar run to what he produced in the same race last year, before one of the worst runs of his career in the September Stakes. He looked like he was ready to challenge around the home turn but found absolutely nothing and ended up dropping out before being eased out of the race by Gerald Mosse. The run was too bad to be true, so I'm putting a line through the run completely.
From what I've seen of him at Werribee, he looks as good as ever. He's striding out well and he looks a happy and relaxed horse.
His record in the Melbourne Cup is terrific – he all but won in 2011, he was one of the runs of the race in 2012 when eighth off a slow tempo, and he was wide all the way last year but still kept coming for another second placing.
Not only is he one that cannot be dismissed, I'm thinking it might be a case of fourth time lucky for Red Cadeaux. If he can have a nice run in the two-wide line, pushing wider around the home turn and being saved for one final shot at them, I think he could do it. And what a story it would be.
He's a major player.
Watch him finish second to Fiorente in last year's Melbourne Cup:
Monsun x Patineuse (Peintre Celebre), 5yo bay horse
Bred in: Germany
Nationality: Germany/Australia
Trainer: Andreas Wohler
Jockey: Ryan Moore
Weight: 56.5kg
Career stats: 9:4-3-1
Win/place percentages: 44%/89%
Last 5 starts: 22114
Distances won at: 1 (3000m), 1 (2400m), 1 (2200m), 1 (1600m)
Biggest win: Group 2 Prix Kergorlay (3000m), Deauville, August 24 2014
Best Melbourne Cup effort: First attempt
Luxbet fixed odds (as at 7pm, Saturday November 1): $7.50
Luxbet fixed odds (as at 7pm, Sunday November 2): $7
Luxbet fixed odds (as at 11pm, Monday November 3): $8
Summary of his chances: Still looks to have plenty of upside and first run here was terrific. Player.
Predicted finish: 4th
Lightly raced stayer who is aiming to give Germany their first win in the Melbourne Cup.
He won the Prix Kergorlay in France in August at his last run before coming to Australia, which followed on from strong performances in German Group 2 races.
The Prix Kergorlay has become a good guide to the Melbourne Cup – it was won by Americain in 2010 and it produced four of the first five across the line in 2011. Last year, I was very keen on Verema to forge another link between the Prix Kergorlay and the Melbourne Cup, but she broke down at the 2000m and was sadly euthanised.
He's clearly got upside and he has the right profile for a Melbourne Cup – on the way up. He does look to be weighted on potential rather than his racetrack performance, which is a slight worry, but in a year of mostly compressed weights perhaps it is deserved.
There are three concerns for me with Protectionist – Ryan Moore, big fields and his Herbert Power run.
First, Ryan Moore. There's no doubting he's in the world's top two or three jockeys – although my English friends will tell you that he is God (and the Americans would probably agree). For mine, I'd be happy to give that mantle to Joao Moreira, but it's a matter of debate.
He's ridden twice in the Melbourne Cup for two pretty poor rides on Mount Athos (fifth, 2012) and Dandino (fifth, 2013), however, his ride to win the Cox Plate on Adelaide was sensational and showed a greater understanding of Australian pace shapes.
The second, his lack of exposure to big fields. This is probably the biggest concern for me. European horses come to Australia used to beating up on small fields, and they get to a field with 24 runners and struggle to match their form. He had not raced against more than eight rivals until the Herbert Power, and while he seemed to handle the Herbert Power alright, it is still another step.
And third, the flat spot he hit in the Herbert Power as the speed quickened. He can't be hitting that flat spot and expect to be winning the Melbourne Cup. Perhaps that's the benefit of having a run beforehand, though.
All that said, the way he hit the line in the Herbert Power was terrific for fourth and a repeat of that performance will have him going very close. He's also drawn in the perfect spot.
He's definitely a contender.
Here is his win in the Prix Kergorlay:
Beat Hollow x Eva Luna (Alleged), 7yo bay horse
Dalakhani x Sasuela (Dashing Blade), 7yo chestnut gelding
Bred in: Ireland
Nationality: Great Britain/Australia
Trainer: Marco Botti
Jockey: Craig Newitt
Weight: 56kg
Career stats: 25:7-3-2
Win/place percentages: 28%/48%
Last 5 starts: 06410
Distances won at: 1 (2671m), 3 (2400m), 1 (2300m), 2 (2000m)
Biggest win: Group 1 Grosser Preis Von Bayern (2400m), Munich, August 11 2013
Best Melbourne Cup effort: First attempt
Luxbet fixed odds (as at 7pm, Saturday November 1): $41
Luxbet fixed odds (as at 7pm, Sunday November 2): $51
Luxbet fixed odds (as at 11pm, Monday November 3): $81
Summary of his chances: One-paced galloper who was disappointing in the Caulfield Cup. Not for me.
Predicted finish: 21st
Geoffrey Freer Stakes winner who looks to have no turn of foot whatsoever.
Even his Geoffrey Freer Stakes win was extraordinary. He beat two of his rivals there in Red Cadeaux and Willing Foe, but how he beat them is beyond me. He looked beaten at the 600m mark, was clearly passed by a number of runners, but somehow he kept grinding away and managed to win. He did run down a horse who was first up in 18 months in Willing Foe, though, so perhaps it was just a fitness edge.
He then ran in the Caulfield Cup and was very one-paced. He was bustled to try and get towards the lead, which was far from a strong pace, but couldn't match strides and settled down midfield on the rails. He was under pressure around the home turn and dropped out of it. He simply wasn't quick enough.
He's drawn the inside again, which is probably the last thing the owners would have wanted as it means he is likely to be cluttered up at the wrong time.
To me, it looks like he'll need a lot of luck to go his way and a form reversal looks very unlikely.
That said, Australian Thoroughbred Bloodstock have experienced a major form reversal before.
Two years ago, Jakkalberry turned around his form after a dismal 13th in the Caulfield Cup to run third in the Melbourne Cup, but there were differences. He was wide at Caulfield and yet did show something in the final 100m or so. At Flemington, he had a cosy run and was able to find the line strongly off that.
If he was to find the form which saw him win a Group 1 in Germany in impressive style, then he'd be a place chance, but off his recent form, I couldn't touch him.
Here is Seismos winning the Grosser Preis von Bayern last year:
Haafhd x Faydah (Bahri), 7yo chestnut gelding
Bred in: Great Britain
Nationality: Australia
Trainer: Chris Waller
Jockey: Hugh Bowman
Weight: 55.5kg
Career stats: 32:11-4-4
Win/place percentages: 34%/59%
Last 5 starts: 86117
Distances won at: 2 (2414m), 1 (2400m), 2 (2012m), 4 (2000m), 1 (1947m), 1 (1900m)
Biggest win: Group 1 The Metropolitan (2400m), Randwick, October 4 2014
Best Melbourne Cup effort: First attempt
Luxbet fixed odds (as at 7pm, Saturday November 1): $26
Luxbet fixed odds (as at 7pm, Sunday November 2): $26
Luxbet fixed odds (as at 11pm, Monday November 3): $26
Summary of his chances: Former English claimer who is now a legitimate Melbourne Cup chance, despite queries over distance and class.
Predicted finish: 9th
If Junoob manages to win the Melbourne Cup, he'll complete one of the great transitions in world racing – from going around in Kempton and Lingfield claimers in Britain to taking out one of the world's great races.
Junoob is a great representation of the move made by leading Sydney trainer Chris Waller less than a decade ago to go to England in pursuit of their lesser class horses. They weren't your top horses which had been targeted in the past. They were horses likely to measure up in Saturday grade, nothing more.
It's been a phenomenal success and taken Waller to the heights of the Sydney training ranks.
And while he now has imports from all parts of the spectrum, he still seems to do best with these types that he can take through the grades – exactly what he has done with Junoob.
Junoob stepped out for the first time last September, first up in almost a year and a half in a Benchmark 80 over 2000m. He was second to Spurtonic.
He got to the 2800m consolation race on Cup day, finishing nine lengths from the winner.
However, he continued to improve through the autumn, winning a Group 3 and making it to the Doomben Cup, where he was third to Streama.
This spring, he took time to hit his straps but eventually found form, winning the Hill Stakes before a tough-as-teak effort in winning The Metropolitan, Sydney's premier staying feature of the spring.
Last time out, in the Caulfield Cup, rider Douglas Whyte reported that the horse got on the wrong leg around the home turn and that when he balanced up he was very strong through the line. It was the type of flashing light run that has indicated a potential Melbourne Cup winner before, which means he has to be considered some chance here.
There's definitely a query about whether he'll see out the two miles strongly, and really, whether he's classy enough to win the race.
Furthermore, he's aiming to be the first to complete the Metropolitan-Melbourne Cup double since Macdougal in 1959.
Nevertheless, he's a legitimate chance, even if he's just a place chance. Each-way.
King's Best x Irresistable Jewel (Danehill), 9yo bay gelding
Bred in: Ireland
Nationality: Ireland
Trainer: Johnny Murtagh
Jockey: Steven Arnold
Weight: 55.5kg
Career stats: 38:9-7-5
Win/place percentages: 24%/55%
Last 5 starts: 1×2026
Distances won at: 1 (3219m), 1 (2832m), 6 (2816m), 1 (2792m)
Biggest win: Group 1 Irish St Leger (2816m), The Curragh, September 15 2012
Best Melbourne Cup effort: First attempt
Luxbet fixed odds (as at 7pm, Saturday November 1): $61
Luxbet fixed odds (as at 7pm, Sunday November 2): $61
Luxbet fixed odds (as at 11pm, Monday November 3): $81
Summary of his chances: Good stayer on his day but out of sorts this season and this looks a bit rich.
Predicted finish: 16th
It's a shame Royal Diamond didn't make the trip two years ago, or even last year.
Two years ago, he surprised in the Irish St Leger and despite his age he was still reaching his peak.
Last year, he had terrific form throughout the year before a disappointing effort in the Irish St Leger behind subsequent Melbourne Cup 10th Voleuse De Coeurs. That ruled a line through a Melbourne Cup trip, which perhaps wasn't a terrible thing when he won the Long Distance Cup at Ascot on Champions Day.
He mixes his form but on his day, there's no doubt he's a good stayer. Still, on everything he's shown this year, there's no doubting he's the second stringer for trainer Johnny Murtagh and owner Andrew Tinkler.
He was beaten three times by Coolmore's leading stayer, the suitably named Leading Light – a three length second in the Vintage Crop Stakes, a 29 length 11th in the Ascot Gold Cup and a length and a quarter third in the Irish St Leger Trial.
However, last time, he finished 12 lengths behind Brown Panther in the Irish St Leger. It was a farcical race, with the lack of initiative shown by jockeys woeful, but out of that race I'd much prefer to be on Willing Foe than Royal Diamond.
Even at his best, I feel this is a bit rich, and in his current form it's pretty easy to bin him. Not for me.
Here is his Long Distance Cup win from last year:
Galileo x Felicity (Selkirk), 7yo bay horse
Bred in: Great Britain
Nationality: Great Britain/Australia
Trainer: John Gosden
Jockey: William Buick
Weight: 55kg
Career stats: 25:8-8-2
Win/place percentages:32%/72%
Last 5 starts: 11212
Distances won at: 1 (2500m), 2 (2414m), 1 (2400m), 1 (2092m), 1 (2028m), 1 (2012m), 1 (1992m)
Biggest win: Group 3 Geelong Cup (2400m), Geelong, October 24 2012
Best Melbourne Cup effort: First attempt
Luxbet fixed odds (as at 7pm, Saturday November 1): $71
Luxbet fixed odds (as at 7pm, Sunday November 2): $71
Luxbet fixed odds (as at 11pm, Monday November 3): $71
Summary of his chances: Consistent type making a surprising return and despite okay form, happy to risk.
Predicted finish: 19th
2012 Geelong Cup winner who has had quite the career.
Made his way through the grades quickly in 2011 and 2012, winning the Wolferton Handicap at Royal Ascot, before coming to Australia where he failed to make the Melbourne Cup field despite winning the Geelong Cup.
He was transferred from John Gosden to Chris Waller, where he had four starts in the autumn of 2013 – the best a four-length seventh to Shoot Out in the Chipping Norton Stakes. However, when he failed to measure up in the Ranvet Stakes and The BMW, he was sent back to Gosden's Newmarket base.
He's been incredibly consistent since returning, only missing the top two once in 10 starts back in the mother country – and that was a third in last October's Cumberland Lodge Stakes, with Royal Empire, who finished 14th in the Cup last year, finishing ahead of him. He won two Listed races in England before heading over to France, where he won the Group 3 Prix de Reux (2500m) – a race won by Americain before he finished fourth in 2011 – before another second in the Group 2 Grand Prix de Deauville (2500m).
To be fair, he has been in very small fields, so to have such a consistent record is perhaps not a surprise.
It was a surprise to see him return, though, given his troubles acclimatising last time around.
They've decided to adopt a different tactic this time, targeting the race fresh. But even his form from last time suggests he'll struggle to match up. He won a pretty poor Geelong Cup, beating Chateau Margaux, Brigantin and Back In Black. And his other two runs that spring were only average.
He definitely looks one to risk.
Watch Gatewood's win in the 2012 Geelong Cup:
Hernando x Hidden Charm (Big Shuffle), 6yo bay gelding
Bred in: Ireland
Nationality: Ireland
Trainer: Johnny Murtagh
Jockey: Damien Oliver
Weight: 55kg
Career stats: 17:7-4-3
Win/place percentages: 41%/82%
Last 5 starts: 22×131
Distances won at: 2 (3219m), 1 (2816m), 1 (2792m), 1 (2615m), 1 (2460m), 1 (2414m)
Biggest win: Ebor Handicap (2816m), York, August 23 2014
Best Melbourne Cup effort: First attempt
Luxbet fixed odds (as at 7pm, Saturday November 1): $13
Luxbet fixed odds (as at 7pm, Sunday November 2): $13
Luxbet fixed odds (as at 11pm, Monday November 3): $11
Summary of his chances: Ebor Handicap winner who has caught the eye at trackwork but needs to improve here. Probably more a place chance.
Predicted finish: 10th
Two leviathans of the saddle join up here, but in very different ways.
Johnny Murtagh is one of the best jockeys the world has seen, but he gave up riding last year to focus on training full-time. Not only does he have two Melbourne Cup runners, a terrific feat, but he gets the services of Damien Oliver, one of Australia's premier hoops and a three-time Melbourne Cup winner to boot.
Mutual Regard has come from nowhere to emerge as a contender for the Melbourne Cup.
He was going around in minor handicaps as recently as June, before stepping up to stakes company in the Challenge Stakes when third to Dermot Weld's mare Pale Mimosa. He then went to the Ebor, a race that has been won by the likes of Give The Slip, Hugs Dancer, Purple Moon, All The Good and Willing Foe, where he proved too good for (Lord) Van Percy.
He has caught the eye at Werribee and the booking of Oliver has seen his price tumble.
That said, from what I've seen of him, I think he needs to improve to be a Melbourne Cup contender. He has a few ticks on the board – coming through big field handicaps, emerging at the right time – but for mine I think of him as more of a place chance.
Yamanin Vital x Ears Carol (Carolingian), 6yo bay gelding
Bred in: New Zealand
Nationality: New Zealand/Australia
Trainer: Chris Waller
Jockey: Glen Boss
Weight: 55kg
Career stats: 15:8-2-0
Win/place percentages: 53%/67%
Last 5 starts: 07110
Distances won at: 1 (3200m), 1 (2520m), 1 (2500m), 1 (2400m), 2 (2000m), 2 (1600m)
Biggest win: Group 1 Auckland Cup (3200m), Ellerslie, March 5 2014
Best Melbourne Cup effort: First attempt
Luxbet fixed odds (as at 7pm, Saturday November 1): $26
Luxbet fixed odds (as at 7pm, Sunday November 2): $26
Luxbet fixed odds (as at 11pm, Monday November 3): $20
Summary of his chances: Dominant Auckland Cup winner and good form until last start. Back to Flemington and an alright draw gives him a rough chance, but probably more a place hope.
Predicted finish: 8th
Likely to be the people's favourite, simply because of his name.
Came through the grades in New Zealand, winning the Avondale Cup and the Auckland Cup impressively earlier this year. After that, finished midfield in the Sydney Cup before he was transferred to Chris Waller with the Melbourne Cup in mind.
Didn't show a great deal in two runs in Sydney, but when taken to Flemington and put over a bit of a trip, he thrived. He won a 2000m handicap comfortably, before stepping up to 2500m in the Bart Cummings and winning with a bit in hand.
He had a bit of support for the Caulfield Cup, but he didn't handle Caulfield whatsoever, refusing to settle, crabbing around the joint and finishing a disappointing 13th.
It was a run which must be forgotten.
Before that, he had been shaping up as a solid Melbourne Cup chance, and I'm assessing him on everything before Caulfield. He comes back to Flemington, he has an alright draw which gives them a few options, and he's not without a small winning chance. That said, though, he's more of a place chance here as he steps up to take on the big boys.
Dynaformer x Thunder Kitten (Storm Cat), 8yo bay or brown gelding
Bred in: United States
Nationality: Great Britain/United Arab Emirates
Trainer: Saeed bin Suroor
Jockey: James McDonald
Weight: 55kg
Career stats: 15:5-2-3
Win/place percentages: 33%/67%
Last 5 starts: 38x1x24
Distances won at: 1 (2816m), 1 (2671m), 1 (2414m), 2 (2066m)
Biggest win: Ebor Handicap (2816m), York, August 25 2012
Best Melbourne Cup effort: First attempt
Luxbet fixed odds (as at 7pm, Saturday November 1): $31
Luxbet fixed odds (as at 7pm, Sunday November 2): $31
Luxbet fixed odds (as at 11pm, Monday November 3): $26
Summary of his chances: Always looked the ideal Melbourne Cup type but has only raced twice in the last 18 months.
Predicted finish: 5th
Can Willing Foe be the horse to break Godolphin's run of placings?
I've long been convinced this was the perfect type of horse to bring for the Melbourne Cup. I backed him in 2012 after he won the Ebor Handicap, beating Royal Diamond, but after he couldn't win a lead-up race which would have ensured he gained a start, they stayed home.
Last year, he resumed with a six length romp in the Aston Park Stakes, and thoughts again turned to Melbourne. However, he was not sighted again in 2013.
It was somewhat of a shock to see him resume in August in the Geoffrey Freer Stakes, but he acquitted himself well off such a long break. He let down beautifully, but was nabbed near the line by Seismos. Red Cadeaux was fourth.
Last time out, he ran a good race in what was a farcical Irish St Leger. Brown Panther tracked the pacemaker and was left well clear, with those chasing left to make up way too much ground. Willing Foe ran through as though he was going to run into second, but raced tight near the line and knocked up a touch, finishing fourth.
It's still a major ask to expect he'll be competitive with only two runs in the last 18 months under his belt, but he has looked fairly fit out at Werribee and he'll get his chance.
That said, Cavalryman has looked better and is also racing in better form, hence why I have Cavalryman slightly ahead of Willing Foe – even if my prepost bet was on the latter!
He's still a winning chance, but he'll need a lot to go his way.
Here's that boat race that was the Irish St Leger:
Authorized x Darrery (Darshaan), 6yo bay mare
Bred in: Ireland
Nationality: Great Britain
Trainer: Roger Varian
Jockey: Andrea Atzeni
Weight: 54.5kg
Career stats: 16:5-2-4
Win/place percentages: 31%/69%
Last 5 starts: 2x3134x
Distances won at: 1 (2418m), 1 (2092m), 1 (2058m), 1 (2012m), 1 (1738m)
Biggest win: Group 1 Pretty Polly Stakes (2012m), The Curragh, June 30 2013
Best Melbourne Cup effort: First attempt
Luxbet fixed odds (as at 7pm, Saturday November 1): $51
Luxbet fixed odds (as at 7pm, Sunday November 2): $41
Luxbet fixed odds (as at 11pm, Monday November 3): $41
Summary of her chances: Classy but has had plenty of problems and doubt her ability to stay the trip.
Predicted finish: 12th
If it's a question of class, My Ambivalent – the 'My' prefix was added to avoid confusion with another mare by the same name – would be right in this.
A Group 1 winner against mares over 2000m, she produced a career-best run when third in the Sheema Classic in Dubai earlier this year behind Japan Cup winner Gentildonna and old warhorse Cirrus des Aigles. Behind her that day were Hong Kong Vase winner Dominant, Breeders' Cup Turf winner Magician, Japan Cup runner-up Denim And Ruby and two horses familiar to Australians – 2011 Melbourne and 2012 Caulfield Cup winner Dunaden and last year's Melbourne Cup placegetter Mount Athos.
Since then, she's won the Middleton Stakes, finished third to Cirrus des Aigles and Arc runner-up Flintshire in the Coronation Cup before a disappointing fourth in the Pretty Polly Stakes.
On that form alone, you'd say she's right in the mix and it's a reason you can't rule her out completely. But the negatives against her seem to outweigh the positives.
She's first up since June, and it's rare – even by European standards – to tackle the Melbourne Cup off such a long layoff.
She's a quirky mare, as she has shown at the Werribee training centre. She gallops when she feels like it, she's had a number of setbacks – put simply it's been a tough preparation. She missed the Caulfield Cup with a setback, which was a disappointment as that was the race she had been set for and it looked a much better fit than the Melbourne Cup.
The only time she's gone beyond 12 furlongs, she was beaten comfortably, and she also doesn't look to have a great turn of foot – a death knell in Australian racing.
That said, she gets out and makes her own luck, and from barrier four, young English gun Andrea Atzeni should be able to jump her out and either lead or settle just behind them.
The likely trip elevates her a couple of places in my eyes, but overall, I'm happy to risk her. Place at the very best.
Here is her third in the Sheema Classic:
Zabeel x Kowtow (Shadeed), 9yo bay gelding
Bred in: New Zealand
Nationality: Australia
Trainer: Bart and James Cummings
Jockey: Michael Rodd
Weight: 54.5kg
Career stats: 62:10-7-3
Win/place percentages: 16%/32%
Last 5 starts: 27×055
Distances won at: 1 (2600m), 2 (2500m), 1 (2400m), 1 (2390m), 1 (2200m), 1 (2040m), 1 (2000m), 2 (1600m)
Biggest win: Group 2 Moonee Valley Cup (2500m), Moonee Valley, October 26 2013
Best Melbourne Cup effort: 8th, 2010 (three attempts)
Luxbet fixed odds (as at 7pm, Saturday November 1): $101
Luxbet fixed odds (as at 7pm, Sunday November 2): $101
Luxbet fixed odds (as at 11pm, Monday November 3): $101
Summary of his chances: Doubt the veteran sees out a strong 3200m, could finish top 10 if everything goes right but won't be contesting the placings.
Predicted finish: 15th
It's a bit like a male version of the Golden Girls – the oldest horse in the field Precedence, trained by an 87-year-old legend in Bart Cummings (albeit in partnership with his grandson James) for owners Dato Tan Chin Nam and Sir Patrick Hogan, among others.
Putting it mildly, it's a reunion of veterans.
For the first time, Precedence will not race in Dato Tan Chin Nam's famous checkerboard colours worn by the likes of Saintly and So You Think and will instead carry the green silks of Sir Patrick, Cambridge Stud's revered studmaster.
So can he make it a baker's dozen for Bart Cummings, while also marking a changing of the guard by giving James his first?
It's unlikely. He's run honest races in three Melbourne Cups but I doubt he runs a strong 3200m.
His form this preparation has been solid – he was terrific in the JRA Cup, finishing in front of Signoff (and meeting him better at the weights here), while his Moonee Valley Cup fifth has to be forgotten after he was galloped on in the incident which saw Chad Schofield fall from Albonetti.
It's a shame he didn't make the race last year, as that was probably the best preparation he'd had since he finished eighth in the Cup to Americain in 2010.
If everything falls into place, he could finish in the top 10 again, but barrier 18 adds another complication – no horse has ever won from the gate – and I think I'd prefer to let him shock me rather than including him.
Here he is finishing fifth in the Moonee Valley Cup:
Savabeel x Prickle (Pins), 6yo bay gelding
Bred in: New Zealand
Nationality: Australia
Trainer: Peter Moody
Jockey: Luke Nolen
Weight: 54kg
Career stats: 19:6-3-3
Win/place percentages: 32%/63%
Last 5 starts: 21349
Distances won at: 1 (2400m), 1 (2200m), 1 (2000m), 1 (1700m), 2 (1600m)
Biggest win: Group 1 Queensland Derby (2400m), Eagle Farm, June 9 2012
Best Melbourne Cup effort: First attempt
Luxbet fixed odds (as at 7pm, Saturday November 1): $41
Luxbet fixed odds (as at 7pm, Sunday November 2): $51
Luxbet fixed odds (as at 11pm, Monday November 3): $61
Summary of his chances: Has found form again after career-threatening injuries, but the two miles is a concern, especially from the wide gate.
Predicted finish: 14th
It's been some effort to get Brambles back to the races after almost two years on the sidelines.
In the winter of 2012, he dominated Queensland's three-year-old staying ranks, exiting an easy winner in the Queensland Derby.
That would be the last we'd see of him until May 2014, as tendon injuries flared and kept on hampering attempts to bring him back to the races. When he returned, he was rusty but there were signs that he still possessed the talent to be a star stayer.
However, it wasn't until the Heatherlie Handicap in late August that he finally proved he was back on track, flying home for second behind Stipulate.
A start later, he beat Herbert Power winner Big Memory and Lexus winner Stipulate in an open handicap at Flemington, before running an enormous race for third in the Turnbull Stakes behind Lucia Valentina and Lidari.
In the Caulfield Cup, he was the spruik horse all week once he gained a run, and was far from disgraced in finishing fourth to Admire Rakti, Rising Romance and Lucia Valentina.
On Saturday, he finished ninth in the Mackinnon Stakes behind Happy Trails, the only Cup runner to use what used to be known as the 'Practice Stakes'.
He's got the right form for a Melbourne Cup winner, but will he see out the two miles? For me, it's a real concern and I'm hesitant, especially from the wide gate.
He did enough in the Mackinnon, but the doubts over the trip are enough for me to risk him.
Here he is winning the Queensland Derby:
Postponed x Cadell (Yachtie), 7yo bay gelding
Bred in: New Zealand
Nationality: Australia
Trainer: Ciaron Maher
Jockey: Chad Schofield
Weight: 54kg
Career stats: 38:10-5-1
Win/place percentages: 26%/46%
Last 5 starts: 95647
Distances won at: 1 (2350m), 1 (2100m), 1 (2050m), 1 (2040m), 3 (2000m), 2 (1600m), 1 (1200m)
Biggest win: Group 3 Naturalism Stakes (2000m), Caulfield, September 21 2013
Best Melbourne Cup effort: First attempt
Luxbet fixed odds (as at 7pm, Saturday November 1): $201
Luxbet fixed odds (as at 7pm, Sunday November 2): $201
Luxbet fixed odds (as at 11pm, Monday November 3): $251
Summary of his chances: Form doesn't look strong enough and ground unlikely to suit. Surely not?
Predicted finish: 22nd
A Grafton Cup and Naturalism Stakes winner extending beyond 2400m for the first time.
He goes alright on his day, although nothing in the ball park of some of these, and his form this preparation doesn't look strong enough.
Granted, he did beat Signoff comfortably in the JRA Cup behind The Cleaner – he finished a length and a quarter in front of him with a similar weight difference. However, Signoff has progressed off that run whereas Mr O'Ceirin didn't show much in his one run since in the Cranbourne Cup.
In addition, he is yet to win on good ground, which he is likely to get on Tuesday. If he's been unable to win on good ground now, there's no reason to suggest it will come in the toughest race he's contested.
He is 250/1 for a reason. Pass.
Watch him win last year's Grafton Cup:
Singspiel x First (Highest Honor), 5yo bay horse
Bred in: Ireland
Nationality: France/Australia
Trainer: Andre Fabre
Jockey: Glyn Schofield
Weight: 53.5kg
Career stats: 14:3-1-2
Win/place percentages: 21%/43%
Last 5 starts: 426×43
Distances won at: 1 (2450m), 2 (2400m)
Biggest win: Listed Grand Prix de Clairefontaine (2400m), Clairefontaine, August 24 2013
Best Melbourne Cup effort: First attempt
Luxbet fixed odds (as at 7pm, Saturday November 1): $41
Luxbet fixed odds (as at 7pm, Sunday November 2): $67
Luxbet fixed odds (as at 11pm, Monday November 3): $71
Summary of his chances: Quite a good run fresh in the Moonee Valley Cup but looks more a place chance.
Predicted finish: 13th
French galloper who comes to Australia with some interesting form around a number of good gallopers.
As a three-year-old, he was four lengths behind Arc runner-up Flintshire in the Grand Prix de Paris, and also had form around horses like Tres Blue.
This year, he mixed his form, his best run a nose second to Spiritjim in a Listed race – the winner subsequently beat Champion Stakes winner Noble Mission in a French Group 1. At his last run before entering quarantine, Au Revoir finished fourth in the Prix Foy behind Epsom Derby winner Ruler of the World, Flintshire and Spiritjim.
He was quite good fresh in the Moonee Valley Cup when third after making the running, but I'm not convinced about the strength of the race from a Melbourne Cup standpoint – Prince of Penzance and Le Roi wouldn't be strong chances in this race, one would think.
From the wide gate, you'd expect him to go forward and either lead or settle handy. That gives him some hope of sneaking into the placings, if he doesn't have to work too hard, but for mine I think others have better credentials. Minor place player.
Here was Au Revoir finishing fourth in the Prix Foy:
Acclamation x Laxlova (Linamix), 6yo bay horse
Bred in: France
Nationality: Australia
Trainer: Peter Moody
Jockey: Ben Melham
Weight: 53.5kg
Career stats: 25:7-3-3
Win/place percentages: 28%/52%
Last 5 starts: 54426
Distances won at: 2 (2400m), 1 (2000m), 1 (1600m), 2 (1400m), 1 (1200m)
Biggest win: Group 2 Blamey Stakes (1600m), Flemington, March 8 2014
Best Melbourne Cup effort: First attempt
Luxbet fixed odds (as at 7pm, Saturday November 1): $41
Luxbet fixed odds (as at 7pm, Sunday November 2): $71
Luxbet fixed odds (as at 11pm, Monday November 3): $71
Summary of his chances: Has been in good form this spring but the 3200m looks a major stretch. No.
Predicted finish: 20th
It seems odd that a horse I thought could be a top miler is now running in a Melbourne Cup.
He certainly shaped up as a miler when third to Fiorente in the Dato Tan Chin Nam Stakes last year, and again when winning the Blamey Stakes earlier this year.
However, he's been stretched out with success this preparation. He finished very nicely for fourths in the Dato Tan Chin Nam Stakes and the Underwood Stakes, before a top-notch second in the Turnbull Stakes. Last start, he was a satisfactory sixth but definitely didn't show the same ping as the start before.
Despite his form, queries remain about the trip. If he was mine, I think he would have been the perfect Mackinnon Stakes horse. Instead he's here.
It's hard to see him getting 3200m down a well. His breeding says no, his Caulfield Cup run says no and my gut instinct says no. Therefore, no.
Here he is winning the Blamey Stakes earlier in the year:
Oasis Dream x Kiltubber (Sadler's Wells), 6yo bay gelding
Bred in: Ireland
Nationality: Australia
Trainer: Chris Waller
Jockey: Tye Angland
Weight: 53.5kg
Career stats: 25:5-4-1
Win/place percentages: 20%/40%
Last 5 starts: 05026
Distances won at: 1 (2414m), 1 (2098m), 1 (2018m), 1 (1900m), 1 (1810m)
Biggest win: Listed Parramatta Cup (1900m), Rosehill, March 1 2014
Best Melbourne Cup effort: First attempt
Luxbet fixed odds (as at 7pm, Saturday November 1): $51
Luxbet fixed odds (as at 7pm, Sunday November 2): $67
Luxbet fixed odds (as at 11pm, Monday November 3): $61
Summary of his chances: Doubt he has the class to figure here. Not for me.
Predicted finish: 18th
Can Opinion become the first horse to complete the mighty Parramatta Cup-Melbourne Cup double?
To be fair, Opinion has already defied plenty, just on his breeding.
Anyone who saw Choisir's historic English raid in 2003, though, would hardly have believed the horse that finished third to him in the King's Stand Stakes over 1000m would one day sire a Melbourne Cup runner. And not just a Melbourne Cup runner, but one of the few runners in the field with 3200m form!
He arrived in Australia as a horse that had begun to hit his straps in England, winning the Duke of Edinburgh Stakes at Royal Ascot last year.
He started favourite in the Cup consolation over 2800m – a race which stablemate Junoob also contested – but Nash Rawiller's saddle slipped and he was beaten a long, long way.
In the autumn, he won the Parramatta Cup before becoming something of a bridesmaid with a number of second placings, culminating with a runner-up finish in the Sydney Cup behind The Offer.
This spring, he's been alright, although his second to Junoob in The Metropolitan was a good run. Last start, he was okay in the Moonee Valley Cup, but nothing suggests he can measure up in this race.
There are still major class issues for me here and for that reason, I'm happy to let him go around without me.
Watch him finish second to The Offer in the Sydney Cup:
High Chaparral x Alanda (Lando), 7yo bay horse
Bred in: Great Britain
Nationality: Australia
Trainer: Michael Moroney
Jockey: Dwayne Dunn
Weight: 53kg
Career stats: 15:4-2-4
Win/place percentages:27%/67%
Last 5 starts: 3×7635
Distances won at: (2800m), 1 (2520m), 1 (2200m), 1 (2000m)
Biggest win: Listed Bart Cummings (2500m), Flemington, October 5 2013
Best Melbourne Cup effort: First attempt
Luxbet fixed odds (as at 7pm, Saturday November 1): $31
Luxbet fixed odds (as at 7pm, Sunday November 2): $31
Luxbet fixed odds (as at 11pm, Monday November 3): $26
Summary of his chances: Quirky galloper who found the line well in the Caulfield Cup. Probably more a place chance, especially from the outside draw.
Predicted finish: 11th
Former German galloper Araldo has become known more for his quirks than for his ability – of which he has plenty.
He made a splash last spring when he won the Bart Cummings on protest after getting involved in a bumping duel with Sea Moon, but he showed in the Lexus Stakes four weeks later that it might not have been all Sea Moon. He looked certain to race past Ruscello and Let's Make Adeal but he drifted in badly, losing momentum and any chance.
He was given the autumn off, and returned with a satisfactory seventh in the Heatherlie Handicap. He was just fair when sixth in the Naturalism Stakes, terrific when third in The Metropolitan and again really good from last when fifth in the Caulfield Cup.
He still has a few quirks but they definitely seem to be improving.
The outside gate probably dictates that he has to go back to near last again, which is always a tough ask in a Melbourne Cup as the backmarkers can tend to lose sight of the race when the speed increases around the 1200m.
I'd say the draw has cruelled the small winning chance he had anyway, but to see him sneak into the placings wouldn't surprise.
Here's last year's Lexus Stakes:
Savabeel x Staryn Glenn (Montjeu), 4yo brown mare
Bred in: New Zealand
Nationality: New Zealand/Australia
Trainer: Kris Lees
Jockey: Kerrin McEvoy
Weight: 53kg
Career stats: 13:5-1-3
Win/place percentages: 39%/69%
Last 5 starts: 3×1613
Distances won at: 2 (2000m), 1 (1600m), 1 (1400m), 1 (1200m)
Biggest win: Group 1 Turnbull Stakes (2000m), Flemington, October 4 2014
Best Melbourne Cup effort: First attempt
Luxbet fixed odds (as at 7pm, Saturday November 1): $7
Luxbet fixed odds (as at 7pm, Sunday November 2): $7.50
Luxbet fixed odds (as at 11pm, Monday November 3): $7.50
Summary of her chances: Brilliant mare with a barnstorming turn of foot but will that translate to 3200m? If so she's some chance, despite an awkward draw.
Predicted finish: 6th
Let me preface this by saying I am one of Lucia Valentina's biggest fans. I have watched her come through the grades in New Zealand, I've believed throughout the winter that she was the most likely of the three-year-olds to make the step up into open company.
In a sign of how much the Melbourne Cup has changed, though, she is the only four-year-old in the race. Not one winner of a Derby or Oaks last season has made it to the race.
It's a remarkable shift.
Lucia Valentina has a top-class turn of foot on her, which is a big advantage. Will that play out over the 3200m though? For mine, I think the trip's not going to be the issue – on pedigree, I think the 3200m should be alright. And she does what top-class horses can do – she switches off in her races, only unleashing her energy when asked for an effort.
She showed signs of being a top-class horse in the making when she won the Vinery Stud Stakes before an enormous run when third in the Australian Oaks behind Rising Romance. The amount of ground she made up that day was phenomenal.
As a four-year-old this spring, she's gone on with the job. She was stunning first up when winning the Tramway Stakes, passable in the George Main Stakes before proving her Cups credentials with a win in the Turnbull Stakes.
She was sent off favourite in the Caulfield Cup on the back of that, was pushed very wide along with Admire Rakti, couldn't match his dash but flew home herself. It was an ideal Cup trial.
All week, I've ummed and ahhed about what to do with her. In my predicted finish list, I once had her as high as second. However, when she drew barrier two, I immediately relegated her, because I'm not convinced she'll be in the right spot on the home turn when you will want her out and circling.
That might be a blessing, but it's a reason why I've started to look around her.
She's still a winning chance, without a doubt, but I couldn't be taking $7 about her here with the number of queries surrounding her.
Watch her win the Turnbull Stakes:
Al Maher x Fly By Night (Prince of Birds), 8yo bay mare
Bred in: Australia
Nationality: Australia
Trainer: David Hayes and Tom Dabernig
Jockey: Dean Yendall
Weight: 51.5kg
Career stats: 58:10-6-7
Win/place percentages: 17%/40%
Last 5 starts: 34390
Distances won at: 2 (3200m), 1 (3000m), 2 (2800m), 2 (2600m), 1 (2200m), 1 (2050m), 1 (1411m)
Biggest win: Listed Andrew Ramsden Stakes (3200m), Flemington, May 24 2014
Best Melbourne Cup effort: First attempt
Luxbet fixed odds (as at 7pm, Saturday November 1): $201
Luxbet fixed odds (as at 7pm, Sunday November 2): $201
Luxbet fixed odds (as at 11pm, Monday November 3): $201
Summary of her chances: Course specialist who stays all day. Doubt she'll finish last but would be a huge effort to trouble the top 10.
Predicted finish: 17th
The second of only two Australian-bred runners in the race, Unchain My Heart will give her owners a great thrill simply by turning up on the day.
To be blunt, though, she's simply not good enough.
Her class was tested last start in the Caulfield Cup, when she finished a nine-length 17th, and I doubt anyone would suggest that was anything other than her best effort.
In her favour, though, she is the only horse to have won over the Flemington 3200m – and not only that, but she's two-from-two over the course and distance. There are only two races run over the Flemington 3200m each year – the Melbourne Cup and the Andrew Ramsden Stakes in May – and she has won the Andrew Ramsden the last two years. To put it in perspective, the placegetters behind her in those races were Wells, Thubiaan, Vatuvei and Gotta Take Care – consistent off-season stayers, mainly jumpers, who would be lapped in a Melbourne Cup.
She is just a plodder – she stays all day and will probably be wanting another lap when the race concludes.
I doubt she'll be the last horse home, and actually, if I got her in a sweep I'd be really disappointed. She's highly unlikely to be anywhere near the placegetters but she's unlikely to finish last.
Authorized x Miss Hepburn (Gone West), 5yo brown gelding
Bred in: Ireland
Nationality: Australia
Trainer: Darren Weir
Jockey: Joao Moreira
Weight: 51kg (carries 0.5kg over, so 51.5kg)
Career stats: 13:7-1-2
Win/place percentages: 54%/77%
Last 5 starts: 39231
Distances won at: 2 (2500m), 1 (2400m), 1 (2040m), 1 (2014m), 1 (1512m), 1 (1400m)
Biggest win: Group 3 Lexus Stakes (2500m), Flemington, November 1 2014
Best Melbourne Cup effort: First attempt
Luxbet fixed odds (as at 7pm, Saturday November 1): $7
Luxbet fixed odds (as at 7pm, Sunday November 2): $7
Luxbet fixed odds (as at 11pm, Monday November 3): $7
Summary of his chances: Striking form at the right time, gets in very well with the world's best jockey aboard. Parallels with Shocking are…shocking. Top chance.
Predicted finish: 1st
A year ago, Signoff was an unraced import from Ireland. Thirteen days after Fiorente ran away with the Cup, the son of Authorized had his first barrier trial at Camperdown, finishing fifth. Three weeks later, he won his first race at Terang.
Who could have imagined that, a year later, they'd have one of the top fancies for the Melbourne Cup?
He made his way through the grades quickly, winning at Morphettville and then Moonee Valley in February. It was two wins in March at Bendigo and Moonee Valley, both by five lengths, that stamped him as a potential Melbourne Cup contender.
He was spelled, and from that moment on, the plan was to win the Lexus Stakes to qualify him for the Melbourne Cup.
It was a plan that came to fruition on Saturday when he won the Lexus with ease, beating Herbert Power winner Big Memory. It looks a case of a promising horse striking form at the right time.
Throughout the spring, he'd been heading the right way, save for a disappointing ninth in the JRA Cup behind The Cleaner. A third to Brambles in an open handicap over 1700m before the JRA Cup, an unlucky second to Big Memory in the Herbert Power, a third in the David Jones Cup to Contributer.
In fact, it was a very similar preparation to that of Shocking, who won the Melbourne Cup in 2009 after sneaking in by winning the Lexus Stakes impressively.
For me, he looks a weighted special. In a year where the weights are massively compressed, to get in on 51kg – or even 51.5kg – in his form is a huge asset.
And not only that, but he gets the services of the jockey I consider to be the best in the world in Joao Moreira. The Brazilian 'Magic Man' has yet to ride in a Melbourne Cup, but if he can ride Signoff anything like he rode him in the Lexus, there's not much to worry about.
The gate is a slight concern, but I hope that there is enough speed that he can either settle in the two or three wide line, about five lengths from the leader. If so, he'll be ready to pounce at the top of the straight and with his light weight, he'll be able to hold off the late closers.
The more I look at it, the more I think he is the 2014 Melbourne Cup winner. Top chance.
Thanks to our friends over at RacingFans.com.au, I was able to draw up this speed map of how I think the runners will settle as they pass the winning post the first time. Those out three wide may be able to slot in, or may be forced to go forward or back, but it's a general idea:
From this, it looks like Au Revoir will cross from a wide gate to lead them up. It also wouldn't surprise to see Brambles make his way across towards the lead either.
My Ambivalent's best form has come when leading, so from gate four, expect her to be prominent.
The big query will be if Seismos has the pace to boot up from the inside. If he does, there could be more speed than expected.
From the gate, Araldo probably has to go back to last, while it wouldn't surprise to see Lucia Valentina closer than indicated with the better draw.
After last year's failure with Fiorente, we are looking to restore a little bit of pride – and it's an opportunity that comes only once a year.
It's disappointing that we are down to 22 runners, with the scratchings including a horse that I thought was a legitimate winning chance in CAVALRYMAN, so we might have to readjust a little here.
As I said at the outset, it's not the strongest Melbourne Cup – there aren't many horses here that fall into the middle bracket, those that are top five contenders but not winning hopes. There are a couple of them, but not many.
The big thing this year is that weight doesn't seem to be as much of a factor, with the majority in the 57-53kg bracket.
That said, there are exceptions. And the most notable exception is the horse striking form at the right time down the bottom – SIGNOFF. To get in with such a light weight in this year's edition makes him a huge player and the one they all have to beat, for mine. He was exceptional on Saturday and a repeat of that performance down in the weights will have him going very close.
RED CADEAUX is an old warhorse who may not be in the same form this year as he has been in the past, but he stacks up well with ADMIRE RAKTI and he looks to be in great shape at Werribee. His past Melbourne Cup form makes him a player anyway.
Obviously Admire Rakti is a huge chance if he can back up the Caulfield Cup form, the extra weight should not worry him and he's going to be a hard nut to crack if all goes his way.
PROTECTIONIST is right there in the mix, too, provided he can avoid that flat spot he hit in the Herbert Power. I do think Signoff may have his measure here though.
Godolphin's WILLING FOE is definitely a chance of giving Sheikh Mohammed his first Melbourne Cup, and while I'd put Cavalryman ahead of Willing Foe in the end, obviously we're now left with Willing Foe for fifth.
LUCIA VALENTINA and FAWKNER are the two horses with terrific form who are queries at the trip. But if class prevails, expect them to be amongst the finish.
They are the main winning hopes, while WHO SHOT THEBARMAN and JUNOOB are probably the only other ones I could see winning. MUTUAL REGARD, ARALDO, MY AMBIVALENT and AU REVOIR look place contenders, while I think I'd be happy to avoid the others. The long tail in action!
Trevor Hawkins permalinkNovember 2, 2014 11:15 am
Woohoo – go the roughy.
Sent from my iPad


text:
Assistant Superintendent of Business Victoria Galante outlined plans for the program component of the proposed budget for the 2019-20 school year at a Board of Education meeting on Feb. 27. This component is the largest part of the budget, making up about $74.8 million of the approximately $90 million the district plans on spending during the 2019-20 school year.
The two largest facets of the program component in terms of spending deal with a majority of the district's teachers. The district is set to spend approximately $26.6 million on the salaries of regular school teachers, with an additional $14.7 million going to special education teachers. While the portion of the budget for the latter set of teachers saw a relatively slight increase of about $23,000, regular school teacher salaries will increase by over $1.3 million.
However, Galante explained that this is not due to any radical increase in regular school teachers or salaries. Instead, it is due to a change in how the district is mandated to report on salaries. Contrary to how it was done in the past, the district must now submit reports based on individual buildings as opposed to by department. Galante grouped certain types of teachers' salaries in with the regular school teachers for the 2019-20 school year, such as occupational education teachers, in response.
"A lot of our teachers in our occupational education programs are in our middle school," Galante said, "so their salaries have been moved over to the [regular school teacher salary] line."
This explained the nearly $400,000 decrease from 2018-19 shown during her presentation for occupational education teachers. Galante issued the same explanation for significant salary decreases in other departments throughout her presentation, such as library staff and computer assisted instruction, emphasizing that they did not come as a result of losing staff.
As a whole, the district proposes to spend just over $1 million more on the 2019-20 program component than they did this school year, which saw a program component of approximately $73.7 million. Galante explained that this is heavily due to the increase in teacher salaries, something which occurs nearly every year.
"An increase, yes, but not that much of an increase considering this is our biggest component of the budget," Galante said.
The Board of Education will convene next on March 13 at 7:30 p.m. at Finley Middle School. The board will discuss the tax levy limit for 2019-20, capital outlay projects, the capital reserve, an update on the revenue budget and ways to eliminate the gap between revenue and expenses.

subset: commoncrawl


text:
As lightforge starts Dynasty 7; Looking back at the last ten to fifteen years, we've learned a lot in regards to minecraft servers, building etc. The continued creativeness of the game is astounding, what keeps bringing us back for more, even more so is the people we meet along the way. Some stay for a while, others carry on their journey. Some stick in your thoughts. We hope to make new friends with Dynasty 7 and bring back some endeared old ones.Read More
I have created a LightForge guild in World of Warcraft private server warmane.com's Icecrown Realm.
Icecrown realm is usually full but unlocks for donators. Current list of players in game so far is
The game is World of Warcraft: Wrath of the Lich King 3.35a You can go to warmane.com and create a free account. If yoou already have wotlk 3.35a set your realmlist to set realmlist logon.warmane.com. For information to download the full game go to https://www.warmane.com/download select wotlk expansion and your operating system. Post your Character name in the forums under World of Warcraft and we'll add you to the guild. Happy playingRead More


text: Water weight gain: how to avoid it Author: Susan Bowerman Is it water or is it fat? The good news is that temporary water weight gain is just that – it's temporary, and it's water… not fat. (it would be nearly impossible to gain three pounds of fat overnight. To store a pound of fat, you'd need to eat 3500 calories more than you need – which means you'd need to eat more than 10,000 extra calories to gain 3 pounds of fat in one day.) Tips for reducing temporary water weight gain Temporary water weight gain can often be tackled with a few simple dietary changes. Reduce your salt intake Focus on foods that are as close as possible to their natural state, since the more processed a food is, the more sodium it's likely to have. Keep salty snacks, soups, condiments and sauces to a minimum and use the salt shaker lightly in cooking and at the table. Cut back on refined starches and sweets Rather than highly refined carbohydrates like white bread, regular pasta and white rice, turn to whole grain varieties. Since they take longer to digest, they're less likely to cause a big spike in blood sugar – and insulin – when you eat them. And, switch from sugary drinks to water or tea instead. Drink plenty of water It seems like that last thing you'd want to do – put more fluid into your body when it already feels overloaded. But drinking fluids will help your body to eliminate excess salt and water. Aim for 6-8 glasses a day. Push potassium Potassium plays a critical role in maintaining fluid balance in the body, and needs to be in the proper balance with sodium. Potassium is found in abundance in fruits and vegetables, but most people don't get nearly enough potassium in the diet. Try to have a fruit or vegetable at every meal or snack. Susan Bowerman is Director of Nutrition Training at Herbalife. Susan is a Registered Dietitian and a Board-Certified Specialist in Sports Dietetics.


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Tag archives for quotes on love
Nice Love Quotes
I may have lost someone who didn't love me, but you lost someone who truly loved you. (more…)
I Love You Quotes For Him
A hundred hearts would be too few to carry all my love for you. (more…)
Famous Love Quotes
Remembering is easy for those who have memory, forgetting is hard for those who have heart. (more…)
Quotes on Love and Life
I love you because you're not only my star, you're my whole damn sky. (more…)
Quotes of Love
Love the person who saw you when you were invisible. (more…)
Best Quotes On Love
Do not pay any attention to the people from your past, because there is always a reason why they are not in your future. (more…)
Sweet Love Quotes
Find that guy who will pick up every piece of your shattered heart & put it back together; keeping one piece for himself, replacing it with a piece of his.…
Quotes on Life and Love
We are the perfect couple; we're just not in the perfect situation. (more…)


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An emotionally self-destructive boxer's journey through life, as the violence and temper that leads him to the top in the ring, destroys his life outside it.
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Each of our dentists offers their personal approach to patient care but what unites them is the commitment to provide the best dental care and the best service to every patient at every appointment.
Jonathan's developmental years were spent in Beenleigh before boarding school at Brisbane Grammar for five years. He had a year spent travelling in Germany as a Rotary Exchange student before also studying Dentistry at the University of Queensland. Jonathan joined the Royal Australian Air Force and served in Melbourne and Townsville before returning to Brisbane. In 1996 he joined Mark and George at Coopers Plains and became a partner in 1997. Jonathan thrives on the surgical side of Dentistry, with a special interest in wisdom teeth and dental implants. Following the successful completion of his Graduate Diploma in Clinical Dentistry (Pain Control and Conscious Sedation), he provides twilight anaesthetic services for the other members in the practice. Married to Julie with three children, Jonathan keeps fit through Rugby Union refereeing.
A former student of St Laurence's College, Paul embarked on a successful Dental degree at the University of Queensland, Graduating with honours in 2001. Paul was invited to commence practice with Coopers Plains Dental Surgery, and in 2005 he became a partner. Paul enjoys all aspects of General Dentistry, but has a keen interest in Cosmetic Dentistry and Oral Rehabilitation. He has undertaken additional training in these fields and thoroughly enjoys providing a tailored approach to his patients. Paul also skilled in solutions for dentofacial aesthetics including muscle relaxing injections and lip fillers. When not in the Surgery, Paul spends time with his family and is passionate about motor racing.
Esther was born in Perth, but spent much of her life in Brisbane. A graduate of Brisbane State High School and the University of Queensland, she was awarded the ultimate recognition of success with first class honours and a University Medal for Dentistry. Esther joined the Practice in 2004 following a recommendation from our then visiting orthodontist (Dr Richard Olive), and has developed a strong and loyal following. Esther became a Director in 2008. Esther served on the Australian Dental Association of Queensland (ADAQ) Council from 2009 to 2013 and volunteered as Convener of the Recent Graduates and Students Committee of ADAQ Council from 2010-2012. Esther embraces all facets of General Dentistry. Spending time with her family, reading, photography and travel are just a few of the things Esther enjoys after work.
Growing up on both the North & South East suburbs of Brisbane, Dan was schooled at the Anglican Church Grammar School prior to starting tertiary studies at the University of Queensland. Initially studying Science, Dan earned his Honours in Science through researching mobility of different types of human cancers while tutoring/teaching Anatomy to the third year UQ Department of Anatomy students. He then commenced Dental Studies gaining honours. Eventually the life of a student ended, where he joined Coopers Plains Dental Surgery in 2005. While enjoying general Dentistry, Dan's passion focuses on Root Canal Therapy. Family, cycling, tennis, surfing and any activity that takes him outdoors are high on his list of things-to-do when not in the surgery. Daniel married the love of his life Chloe in 2007 and has welcomed two beautiful baby girls, Charlotte (2008) and Alexandra (2011), into this world.
In 2010 Coopers Plains Dental Group welcomed Christopher Souvlis. Chris is a University of Queensland Graduate with 30 years experience. He started his career with the Queensland Health School Dental Service moving around the south east corner of Queensland before spending 2 years on the Gold Coast. He then spent 24 years in his own practice in Brisbane. During this time Chris developed a particular interest in cosmetic dentistry and oral rehabilitation. Outside of dentistry Chris has a love of sport with his favourites including cricket, he is a level 2 accredited cricket coach, and soccer with Chelsea being his favourite team. He tries to play golf. His main passion is cooking and he enjoys cooking for friends and family and dabbles in catering for events. He also loves architecture and likes to design and build houses in his spare time.
Coopers Plains, Dentists, Emerald Summer was born in South Korea, but has spent most of her life here in Australia. She completed her Bachelor of Dental Science with Honours in 2007 at University of Queensland. Summer enjoys all aspects of dentistry, and loves keeping up with continuing education. Outside Dentistry, she enjoys travelling, hiking and other outdoor activities. But at the same time she can sit down to read a whole book in one day.
Reuben was born in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia and migrated to Australia in 2001. Reuben graduated with a Bachelor of Dental Surgery from the University of Adelaide in 2008 before moving to Brisbane the following year. Reuben enjoys all facets of general dentistry but has a particular interest in surgery and restorative work. Reuben's interests outside of work include baking, swimming and golf. Coopers Plains Dental Group welcomed Reuben to the team in January 2012.
After emigrating from Hong Kong when she was eight years old, Vivian attended Holy Cross Primary School and All Hallows' School, before proceeding to study dentistry at the University of Queensland. After working in Townsville briefly, Vivian joined Coopers Plains Dental following her graduation. Vivian enjoys multiple disciplines of dentistry, especially aesthetic buildups and fixed prosthetics. When not working, Vivian spends most of her time with her friends and family. She is also an avid foodie, a dog lover and a shopaholic.
Orani grew up in a small town in New South Wales, and has lived in Brisbane, Cairns, Townsville and Hobart. She has recently returned to Brisbane and has joined the team at CP Dental. Orani completed her Bachelor of Dental Surgery at James Cook University, is a member of the Australian Dental Association and enjoys all areas of general dentistry. Outside of dentistry, Orani enjoys spending time with family and friends, health and fitness, exploring the outdoors, challenging jigsaw puzzles and taking up new crafts and hobbies.
Bridget graduated from the University of Queensland with first class honours, receiving awards in the fields of children's dentistry and orthodontics. Bridget is passionate about community oral health and has participated in several local and overseas projects to provide dental care to those in need. Originally from the Gold Coast, Bridget takes a calm and relaxed approach to dentistry. Genuinely loving to have a chat and a laugh with patients, allowing them to feel supported and comfortable. Bridget enjoys practicing and developing her skills and knowledge within all aspects of dentistry however particularly enjoys providing positive dental experiences for children and anxious patients. Outside of the clinic you'll find Bridget hiking, camping and taking any opportunity to be active and outdoors. She also loves cooking, Pilates, watching live music and staying in with a good book!


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Engage Marketing. We were approached by Engage to develop a new portfolio website for their marketing business. Using their previous site, developed by us in 2013, as the foundation, the new web presence needed to me more concise and client case-study focussed.
Please feel free to browse through a selection of our more recent projects. Here you'll find a wide range of web design projects. E-commerce websites using Magento, content managed websites using Wordpress or just simple, great looking brochure websites.


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This is Adventure thriller set in Turkey. Tom Smith flies to Istanbul to join his fiancée for a holiday. But Angela fails to meet him that evening as arranged and she is not at her apartment either. The next morning Tom hears some terrible news: Angela was killed in a driving accident – a week ago.
Category: B2
Reading: Girl Scouts
BEC Vantage Reading Part 3
Read the text and then answer questions 1-6.
The idea that a sales team can learn something from Girl Scouts will come as a surprise to many. What has this out-dated organisation got to do with the fast-moving, corporate world of today? But in the girl scouts' annual cookie drive, two hundred million units are sold per year, and their revenues exceed $700 million. And these figures are achieved only in a three-month period in the spring.
True, the organization has changed greatly in latter years, ever since the appointment of CEO Kathy Cloninger in 2003. Her mission was to revitalize a 95-year tradition-bound icon, famous only for camping, crafts and cookies. She has worked on instilling leadership qualities in the girls, developing new funding opportunities, creating an efficient organisational structure and developing a reinvigorated brand which is relevant to the modern world.
And nowhere are these changes more noticeable than in the annual cookie sale. No longer relying on neighbourhood door-to-door sales to obtain a meagre revenue, the organisation now utilises a wide range of savvy, modern methods which businesses worldwide can learn from.
Firstly, the girl scouts organization focuses on providing the girls with life skills. By investing in the girls, the organization creates a team with strong leadership and communication skills. 'Cookie College' training courses develop the scouts' business acumen, providing them with presentation, marketing and money management skills; skills which will be invaluable in their future lives. Through role-playing, case studies and tasks, the girls become inspired and passionate about their role as a salesperson.
And the proof of the pudding – or should I say cookie – is in the eating. These well-trained salesgirls can turn out exceptional results. Scout Markita Andrews sold over $80,000 dollars worth of cookies in the twelve years she was a girl scout. Her success is for the most part due to the incentive. By selling the greatest number of cookies, Markita won a trip around the world. Rewards are not only given to the lucky winners, however. Scouts earn reward points as they sell more cookies. 1,500 cookies gets the scout a Wii game system.
But Girl scouts are not only training and motivating their workforce, but they are also changing their tactics. Gone are the days when girls went door-to-door around the neighbourhood selling to family and friends. They now go in for the bulk sales strategy. They sell to large organisations and businesses, where cookies can be offered as sales incentives or part of corporate gift baskets. This way, girls are able to shift a greater number of cookies and maximise their sales time.
Answer questions 1-6.
a) all year round
b) for three months per year
c) Every three years
d) Every spring since 2003
a) not well-known
b) old-fashioned
c) efficient
d) surprising
a) how to look after finances
b) how to promote your products
c) how to bake cookies
d) how to speak in front of other people
a) gets a certain number of reward points
b) sells cookies for twelve years in a row
c) sells $80,000 worth of cookies
d) sells more cookies than anyone else
a) Selling cookies outside local businesses
b) Giving scouts free cookies as an incentive
c) Selling from door to door
d) Selling large amounts of cookies at once
a) motivating the sales team
b) finding new avenues for sales
c) offering discounts for bulk orders
d) training the sales team
Reading: Men outnumbered in Spanish government
Women are on the rise in Spanish politics. Spain's newly-formed government consists of eleven women and six men. The newly-elected socialist Prime Minister Pedro Sanchez has put women in some of the biggest positions in his cabinet, including head of defence, economy, education and finance. Spain now has the highest proportion of women in top government positions than anywhere else in Europe. In a televised statement, Mr Sanchez said his new government consisted of people who wanted to move Spain forward. He said: "All are highly qualified and bring a vocation for public service and reflect the best of Spain. [They are]…open to the world but anchored in the European Union."
Mr Sanchez seems an unlikely leader. His Socialist party holds just 84 of the 350 seats in Spain's parliament. He took office on Friday, replacing the unpopular conservative leader Mariano Rajoy. Ex-prime minister Rajoy was the focus of a corruption scandal and had become unpopular because of his austerity measures. Sanchez promised to bring change to Spain. However, he has to work quickly to turn Spain's economy around. He has promised to call elections in less than two years, which may not be enough time to amend the outgoing government's budget for 2018. One of his biggest challenges will be rebuilding relations with the northeastern region of Catalonia.
What can you say about these words and your life: politics / government / socialist / cabinet / education / statement / public service / leader / parliament / unpopular / conservative / corruption / scandal / challenges
Comprehension Questions:
- How many women were appointed to top government posts in Spain?
- Which European country has the highest ratio of women in top posts?
- What medium did Pedro Sanchez use to make his statement?
- What did Pedro Sanchez say his government brings to public service?
- What did Pedro Sanchez say his government was anchored in?
- How many parliamentary seats does Pedro Sanchez's party hold?
- What kind of scandal is Spain's ex-prime minister involved in?
- What did Pedro Sanchez promise to bring to Spain?
- When did Pedro Sanchez say he would call the next elections?
- What does Pedro Sanchez have to build relations with?
Try to recall how these words were used in the text:
- seems
- 350
- focus
- bring
- call
- region
- rise
- elected
- head
- else
- move
- open
Original Content from: https://breakingnewsenglish.com/
Reading: Australian Woman Marries Bridge
Many countries around the world are discussing same-sex marriage. No country is discussing the rights and wrongs of marrying a bridge. But that is what an Australian woman has done. Artist Jodi Rose fell in love with the 600-year-old Le Pont du Diable (the Devil's Bridge) in France and got married to it last month. However, France does not recognise marriages between people and bridges. Nevertheless, 14 guests attended the wedding ceremony to see the happy couple become not man and wife, but bridge and wife. The mayor of the nearby town also came to bless the marriage. Jodi wore a white wedding dress for the occasion. She also had a special ring (which is almost one metre high) made for the bridge.
Jodi Rose travels the world visiting bridges. She records the sounds and vibrations they make. She then turns these into experimental music for her "Singing Bridges" project. She said it was love at first sight for the Devil's Bridge. She posted on her blog Bridgeland: "Although he is made of stone…I feel at peace in his strong embrace. He makes me feel connected to the earth." She added that the bridge makes her feel comfortable after travelling non-stop around the world. Ms Rose explained why she married the bridge, saying it was symbolic because she values "the spiritual vibration in everything". She also explained her love for it: "The perfect husband… strong and silent," she said.
Decide which of these topics or words from the article are most interesting and which are most boring:
marriage / rights and wrongs / bridges / guests / nearby town / wedding dress / ring / travels the world / experimental music / feel at peace / vibration / strong and silent
Comprehension Questions:
- How many countries are talking about same-sex marriage?
- How many countries are talking about marrying bridges?
- How old was the bridge the woman married?
- How many people went to the wedding?
- What was almost a metre high?
- What does Jodi do with her recordings?
- When did she fall in love with the bridge?
- What does the bridge make Jodi feel connected to?
- What kind of vibration in everything does Jodi value?
- Why is her husband perfect?
Try to recall how they were used in the text:
- countries
- wrongs
- last
- guests
- happy
- special
- travels
- music
- sight
- non-stop
- why
- strong
Discussion Questions:
- What springs to mind when you hear the word 'marriage'?
- How has marriage changed in the past 100 years?
- What is marriage to you?
- What do you think of someone marrying a bridge?
- Should countries let people marry things?
- What do you think the wedding ceremony was like?
- What wedding vow (promise) do you think Jodi made to the bridge?
- What wedding present would you buy the bridge and wife?
- Why do so many marriages these days break up?
- Did you like reading this article? Why/not?
- Do celebrity marriages work?
- Have you ever fallen in love at first sight?
- What wedding vows (promises) would you make to your partner?
- What is the perfect marriage?
Reading: Exam results affected by hotter weather
Hot weather lowers exam results. A major study from three universities in the USA says heat may reduce learning in the short and long term. Hot weather on test days, and higher than average yearly temperatures lowered grades.
Researchers looked at how the weather affected test scores from 10 million American students. Findings showed that a temperature rise of just 0.55ºC over one year led to a one per cent decrease in learning. The research paper is called "Heat and Learning". It was published last month.
A worrying conclusion in the study is that global warming may affect the future income of students around the world. Researchers said that if global temperatures continued to rise, the average American student could lose $25,000 because of lower test scores. Air conditioning in classrooms could stop this. Hotter weather was "particularly damaging" for poorer students.
How were these words used in the article:
- lowers
- major
- term
- average
- grades
- decrease
- worrying
- income
- rise
- scores
Original content from: https://breakingnewsenglish.com/1806/180601-exam-results-4.html
Reading: A Job Riding Harley Davidsons
There is a special job opening for eight people who love riding motorbikes, enjoy long, hot summers, and like feeling the wind in their hair. The position is a summer internship for the legendary motorcycle maker Harley-Davidson. The company is looking for people to learn to ride its bikes and then ride them across the USA all summer. It is offering this job to celebrate the 115th anniversary of the founding of Harley-Davidson. The successful candidates will get special training to ride a Harley and must then share their experiences of their adventures of riding around the USA on social media. The lucky riders must also attend a number of events, including anniversary celebrations.
Harley-Davidson CEO Matt Levatich explained why his company wants eight interns to ride motorcycles all summer. He said: "We're continuously working to grow the sport of motorcycling. What better way to engage future riders than to have a whole team of newly-trained enthusiasts share personal stories as they immerse themselves in motorcycle culture and community – all while gaining marketable career skills. I'm looking forward to following their journeys, learning about their experiences, and seeing them out on the road." To qualify, candidates must show they are good storytellers, be able to use social media well, and describe what freedom means in an essay, video or photo portfolio.
Comprehension Questions:
- How many interns is Harley-Davidson looking for?
- What might people like to feel in their hair?
- How old will the Harley-Davidson company be this year?
- What must successful candidates share on social media?
- What must the lucky candidates attend a number of?
- What does Harley-Davidson's CEO want to grow?
- What will the interns immerse themselves besides communities?
- What marketable skills will the interns pick up?
- What must candidates show they are good at?
- What word must job applicants describe?
Describe how these words relate to the story above:
Discussion Questions:
- What did you think when you read the headline?
- What images are in your mind when you hear the word 'motorbike'?
- What do you know about Harley-Davidson?
- Why does Harley-Davidson have a cool image?
- Do you enjoy feeling the wind in your hair?
- Would you like to apply for this internship?
- What do you think of internships?
- Why is Harley-Davidson doing this?
- Where would you go if you won this internship?
- Are motorcycles the best form of transport?
- What do you think of when you hear the word 'job'?
- What do you think about what you read?
- What do you think about motorbikes?
- How much would you enjoy riding a motorcycle around the USA?
- What is "motorcycle culture"?
- What career skills might the interns learn?
- How good a storyteller are you?
- How would you describe the word "freedom"?
- What questions would you like to ask the Harley-Davidson boss?
Original content from: https://breakingnewsenglish.com/1804/180424-harley-davidson.html
Reading: Charity Chic
The First Lady of Iceland, Eliza Reid, has turned heads at a movie awards ceremony. Fashion reporters said Ms Reid wore a "stunning" black jacket to the Edda Awards – Iceland's version of Hollywood's Academy Awards. Ms Reid wore black to show her support for the #metoo movement. However, unlike most people who attend glamorous awards shows, Ms Reid did not spend a fortune on her clothes. When reporters asked her where she had purchased her jacket, she said she bought it in a local Red Cross charity store in Iceland's capital city. The Icelandic Red Cross was very happy about this news. It told its followers on Twitter that the first lady looked, "awesome in a gorgeous jacket from the Red Cross".
Eliza Reid is originally from Canada and works as a journalist. She met her husband, President Gudni Johannesson, when she was studying at Oxford University. Ms Reid told the Hit Iceland website in 2017 that she "won" a blind date with the future president at a rowing club event. She had no idea she would one day become First Lady of Iceland. Both she and her husband are very popular in Iceland for being just like normal people. They both have a very down-to-earth attitude and can often be seen in the city shopping with their four children and going to restaurants. The Red Cross also likes Ms Reid. It hopes more people will follow her fashion sense and buy clothes from its charity shops.
Comprehension Questions:
- What did Eliza Reid turn at an awards ceremony?
- What colour jacket did Ms Reid wear?
- What movement did Ms Reid want to show support for?
- Who asked Ms Reid where she bought her jacket?
- In which city did Ms Reid buy the jacket?
- Where is Ms Reid from originally?
- Where did Ms Reid meet her husband for the first time?
- What kind of club event did Ms Reid meet her husband at?
- What kind of attitude to Ms Reid and her husband have?
- What does the Red Cross hope people will follow?
Vocabulary Activity:
Try to recall how the following words were used in the text:
- originally
- met
- won
- popular
- seen
- sense
- heads
- version
- support
- unlike
- city
- followers
Discussion Questions:
- What images are in your mind when you hear the word 'first'?
- How important is a First Lady?
- Why don't all countries have a First Lady?
- What do you know about Iceland?
- What do you think about charity shops?
- What would you wear to an awards show?
- Should more famous people wear clothes from charity shops?
- Why do people want to look glamorous?
- Would you buy clothes from a charity shop?
- What do you think of when you hear the word 'lady'?
- What do you think about what you read?
- What does a First Lady do all day?
- What do you think of Iceland's First Lady?
- What would it be like to be married to the President?
- What do you think of the idea of blind dates?
- How down-to-earth are you?
- What is your favourite charity?
- What questions would you like to ask Iceland's First Lady?
Reading: Desert Opera
Saudi Arabia will soon have its very first national orchestra and opera. France will help Saudi to set up the musical groups. The two countries signed a series of agreements on Monday to boost cultural ties, and cooperation through the arts. France's Culture Minister said: "Today, an agreement was signed with the Paris Opera to help Saudi Arabia set up a national orchestra and an opera." The world-famous Paris Opera will help Saudi Arabia produce its own classical music performances and operas. Plans are already under way for the country's first opera house to be built in the kingdom's second largest city, Jeddah. Saudi Arabia will invest $64 billion in developing its entertainment industry over the next decade
The agreement is part of a plan created by Saudi Arabia's Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, called Vision 2030. He wants to modernise many areas of Saudi life. There were other projects included in the cultural agreements between France and Saudi Arabia. French archaeologists will work on developing Saudi Arabia's Al-Ula region in the northwest of the country. The area is rich in ancient archaeological sites. French experts will help to preserve the area. Another key part of the agreement is the translation of literature. France's Culture Minister stressed, "the importance of translating books in both directions, from Arabic into French and French into Arabic".
Comprehension Questions
- What will France help set up, besides the opera?
- What kind of ties do the two countries want to boost?
- What is the name of the opera company that will help Saudi Arabia?
- Where will Saudi's first opera house be built?
- How much will Saudi spend on its entertainment industry?
- What is the name of the plan created by the Saudi Crown Prince?
- Where in Saudi Arabia is the Al-Ula region?
- What is the Al-Ula region rich in?
- What is another key part of the agreement between Saudi and France?
- In what direction will the translation of books happen?
Vocabulary Activity:
Try to recall how these words were used in the text:
- plan
- life
- region
- rich
- key
- both
- soon
- boost
- arts
- own
- already
- decade
Discussion Questions
- What images are in your mind when you hear the word 'opera'?
- What do you think of opera?
- Why do so many people prefer pop music to classical music?
- Why didn't Saudi Arabia have an opera house before?
- What arts are important in your country?
- What do you know about the culture of Saudi Arabia?
- Why is Saudi investing so much money in entertainment?
- Which is better, classical music or opera?
- What kind of performance art do you like best?
- What do you think of when you hear the word 'orchestra'?
- What do you think about what you read?
- How important is classical music?
- Is classical music better than rock music?
- How important are the arts?
- What would you do to modernize your country?
- What could you do on a holiday in Saudi Arabia?
- What is the benefit of translating French and Arabic books?
- What questions would you like to ask the culture ministers?
Original content: https://breakingnewsenglish.com/1804/180412-opera.html
Reading: Marvel's "Black Panther"
The new superhero movie Black Panther is breaking box office records. It is the highest moneymaking debut ever for a February film. Disney, the movie's maker, estimated that the film has earned over $361 million in its first three days. The opening was the fifth highest-earning film ever. The movie has been helped by great reviews from critics. The movie review site Rotten Tomatoes gave it a 97 per cent rating. It is very rare for any movie to get such a high score. The Los Angeles Times newspaper compared Black Panther to a Star Wars movie. It said "Black Panther fever" took over Los Angeles. It added: "The film opened to the kind of fervor typically reserved for the latest offering in the Star Wars franchise."
Black Panther is the first Marvel superhero movie with an African-American in the title role. It also has a largely black cast and is directed by a black man. Many people of African descent have been showing their pride in the movie by attending movie theatres dressed in traditional African clothes. CNN writer Van Jones said the film was very important. He said: "This film is a godsend that will lift the self-esteem of black children in the US and around the world for a long time." A seventh-grade student who watched the film said: "For people of color, it shows us that we can get through any obstacles that are thrown at us if we work together. We can also help the world by sharing our resources."
Based on original content: https://breakingnewsenglish.com/1802/180221-black-panther.html
Reading: Gulliver's Travels (B2)
Gulliver's Travels recounts the story of Lemuel Gulliver, a practical-minded Englishman trained as a surgeon who takes to the seas when his business fails. In a deadpan first-person narrative that rarely shows any signs of self-reflection or deep emotional response, Gulliver narrates the adventures that befall him on these travels.
Gulliver's adventure in Lilliput begins when he wakes after his shipwreck to find himself bound by innumerable tiny threads and addressed by tiny captors who are in awe of him but fiercely protective of their kingdom. They are not afraid to use violence against Gulliver, though their arrows are little more than pinpricks. But overall, they are hospitable, risking famine in their land by feeding Gulliver, who consumes more food than a thousand Lilliputians combined could. Gulliver is taken into the capital city by a vast wagon the Lilliputians have specially built. He is presented to the emperor, who is entertained by Gulliver, just as Gulliver is flattered by the attention of royalty. Eventually Gulliver becomes a national resource, used by the army in its war against the people of Blefuscu, whom the Lilliputians hate for doctrinal differences concerning the proper way to crack eggs. But things change when Gulliver is convicted of treason for putting out a fire in the royal palace with his urine and is condemned to be shot in the eyes and starved to death. Gulliver escapes to Blefuscu, where he is able to repair a boat he finds and set sail for England.
After staying in England with his wife and family for two months, Gulliver undertakes his next sea voyage, which takes him to a land of giants called Brobdingnag. Here, a field worker discovers him. The farmer initially treats him as little more than an animal, keeping him for amusement. The farmer eventually sells Gulliver to the queen, who makes him a courtly diversion and is entertained by his musical talents. Social life is easy for Gulliver after his discovery by the court, but not particularly enjoyable. Gulliver is often repulsed by the physicality of the Brobdingnagians, whose ordinary flaws are many times magnified by their huge size. Thus, when a couple of courtly ladies let him play on their naked bodies, he is not attracted to them but rather disgusted by their enormous skin pores and the sound of their torrential urination. He is generally startled by the ignorance of the people here—even the king knows nothing about politics. More unsettling findings in Brobdingnag come in the form of various animals of the realm that endanger his life. Even Brobdingnagian insects leave slimy trails on his food that make eating difficult. On a trip to the frontier, accompanying the royal couple, Gulliver leaves Brobdingnag when his cage is plucked up by an eagle and dropped into the sea.
Next, Gulliver sets sail again and, after an attack by pirates, ends up in Laputa, where a floating island inhabited by theoreticians and academics oppresses the land below, called Balnibarbi…
The scientific research undertaken in Laputa and in Balnibarbi seems totally inane and impractical, and its residents too appear wholly out of touch with reality. Taking a short side trip to Glubbdubdrib, Gulliver is able to witness the conjuring up of figures from history, such as Julius Caesar and other military leaders, whom he finds much less impressive than in books. After visiting the Luggnaggians and the Struldbrugs, the latter of which are senile immortals who prove that age does not bring wisdom, he is able to sail to Japan and from there back to England.
Finally, on his fourth journey, Gulliver sets out as captain of a ship, but after the mutiny of his crew and a long confinement in his cabin, he arrives in an unknown land. This land is populated by Houyhnhnms, rational-thinking horses who rule, and by Yahoos, brutish humanlike creatures who serve the Houyhnhnms. Gulliver sets about learning their language, and when he can speak he narrates his voyages to them and explains the constitution of England. He is treated with great courtesy and kindness by the horses and is enlightened by his many conversations with them and by his exposure to their noble culture. He wants to stay with the Houyhnhnms, but his bared body reveals to the horses that he is very much like a Yahoo, and he is banished. Gulliver is grief-stricken but agrees to leave. He fashions a canoe and makes his way to a nearby island, where he is picked up by a Portuguese ship captain who treats him well, though Gulliver cannot help now seeing the captain—and all humans—as shamefully Yahoolike. Gulliver then concludes his narrative with a claim that the lands he has visited belong by rights to England, as her colonies, even though he questions the whole idea of colonialism.