Up the Kiwis!

The day has arrived! Melbourne Cup Day is here and we’re ready to celebrate another Kiwi winner in this year’s running (how so verry good was Verry Elleegant in 2021?!).

Whilst there are no New Zealand-trained horses in the final field, we are well represented by six New Zealand-bred horses.

If you’re not sure where to put your money and want to back one of our kiwi charges, or just want to sound knowledgeable at your local café whilst waiting for your morning coffee, stick with us…

(9) Stockman

Stockman was an impressive winner of the St Leger at Randwick two starts back. He made good ground in a race short of his best on Saturday and is well placed to run a solid race given his liking for rain affected tracks. It’s his trainer and jockey’s first tilt at the Cup so dreams could be made…

Stockman booked his Gr.1 Melbourne Cup (3200m) ticket when he won the A$500,000 St Leger Stakes (2600m) at Randwick. Photo credit: Bradleyphotos.com.au

(11) Young Werther

Young Werther is the winner of one race and has always run well over staying distances. He was outclassed at his most recent run when unplaced in the Cox Plate. Certainly a horse to put in your multiples.

(14) Daquiansweet Junior

Daquiansweet Junior was the winner of this year’s Adelaide Cup and can run well. However, he has been out of form in three recent runs, albeit over distances short of his best

(19) Smokin’ Romans

Smokin’ Romans was the winner of the Group 1 Turnbull Stakes two starts ago which promoted him to favouritism in the Caulfield Cup. He was a touch unlucky but was disappointing overall in that showing. He does like wet tracks and has a gun rider in Jamie Kah with no weight. We predict he’ll be right in the frame.

How cute was Smokin’ Romans as a weanling? Pictured at White Robe Lodge in New Zealand. Photo: Supplied by White Robe Lodge

(20) Tralee Rose

Tralee Rose was the winner of the Geelong Cup in 2021 but is badly out of form. Would be a big surprise to see her figure in the finish but you know how us kiwis love a redemption story!

(22) High Emocean

High Emocean was the winner of the Bendigo Cup at his last start. Likes wet ground and should stay the 3200 metres so looks a good chance to run in the money. Certainly one for the multiples. His sire is the late Ocean Park so Waikato Stud could have another big night ahead of them after their resident stallion Savabeel’s I Wish I Win and the late Sacred Falls’ provided them with an unforgettable afternoon winning the $10m Golden Eagle and the G1 Empire Rose Stakes last weekend.

Thinking a Kiwi jockey is perhaps the way to go?

Mick Dee and Jason Collett are the two New Zealand born jockeys in the running for Cup glory. Mick Dee has had a great Melbourne Spring Carnival taking out both the Caulfield Cup and Saturday’s Victoria Derby. Jason Collett is one of Sydney’s best riders who is the son of former Pukekohe Park based trainer, Richard Collett. Both have good rides in the Cup with Mick riding Lunar Flare and Jason riding Montefilia.

Don’t have plans for where you’re watching the race that stops two nations yet?

With FREE General Admission (in fact, it’s free all season at Pukekohe Park) you still have time to get down to the track at Pukekohe Park today, get yourself a drink, possibly enjoy some races happening right in front of you and then get into the hype of the big one – the Lexus Melbourne Cup – which will be broadcast live on course at about 5pm.