THE VERDICT

Saturday’s $10 million shemozzle, the Golden Eagle at Rosehill Gardens, has taken the spotlight off Flemington’s sparkling Derby Day and the possibility of the Cummings dynasty again playing a major role in Tuesday’s Melbourne Cup.

Perhaps the verdict on the Big One, obviously downgraded with the absence of Via Sistina should take prominence, while the lithe and elegance of Jamie Kah on horseback was a feature on a memorable opening day of the Melbourne Cup carnival.

Alas the careless behaviour at Rosehill of visiting jockeys, Cieron Fallon on the winner, Lake Forest, and Antonio Orani, handling runner-up Lazzat, prompts the question regarding the worth of the international competition in our major events?

Of course Frankie Dettori did little for the Melbourne Cup other than leave a trail of havoc. Fallon and Orani continued the trend.

Fallon was not only suspended but fined $100,000 while Orani was also outed plus a $30,000 penalty. Stewards could not be comfortably satisfied the interference created made any difference to the result so the jockeys are still comfortably compensated for their action.

While the mayhem was taking place at Rosehill, Flemington beamed for the traditional Derby Day program, certainly lacking past aspects but still special, having a flashback when James Cummings produced Zardozi in the Empire Rose.

Grandson of The Master, Bart Cummings who once used the Mackinnon as a final tune-up for Tuesday, James gave Zardozi a similar pipe-opener to previous Melbourne Cup triumphs.

Certainly the way Zardozi surged to the line over the unsuitable short 1600 metres didn’t raise doubts about her intent but it was stern enough to indicate she has the quality to win. The distance query will be left in just how the trainer handles the vital last days. James has the education from The Master regarding what is required for the 3200 metres.

Whether it be the Melbourne Cup or the overvalued Golden Eagle the International involvement doesn’t trigger my enthusiasm. Mercifully there are only four acceptors in the Melbourne Cup this year.

Obviously their task has been assisted by the absence of Via Sistina, French bred, but Chris Waller developed into one of the most sensational Cox Plate winners. She would have added considerable value to the 2024 Melbourne Cup.

Waller may win it anyway with his best being, in the market, Buckeroo, with Land Legend a strong consideration if the horseman can get the fire out of the stayer’s head. The gelding throws it around and wants to take off. Jockey Zac Purton had to cut him loose too early in the Caulfield Cup. Waller reckons he has rectified the problem with ear muffs.

“It’s not perfect but I’m confident he won’t pull,” Waller told me.

Invaders, too, can be wayward. Vauban, topweight tuned by Willie Mullens, the Irish maestro, is the class on British credentials.

“Vauban would be $2.50 at home and he’s the horse here if he handles the enclosure,” Peter Ellis, renowned for his expertise with foreign stayers. Vauban can get stirred up before engagements. Former saddle great Glen Boss remarked he looked “off” before he failed in the Melbourne Cup last year and expects him to make amends.

Stablemate Absurde, selected by Chris Roots, the former chief racing writer for the Sydney Morning Herald and much fancied tipper of Peter Mair, a “Racing To The Max” regular.

“Absurde was erratic before the Cup last year and will be better for the experience,” Roots explained. “Perhaps he is the second string for Mullens, who seems to fancy Vauban? Well Mullens is Irish.”

Alas Rob Waterhouse, bookmaker and turf student, regards Absurde a lay, a stayer he will gamble against. “Absurde is a shorter price than he should be,” Waterhouse commented and put Onesmoothoperator and Interpretation in the same category

The acerbic Bundamba Slim is going for Sea King on the score of being a last-start winner who drops in weight. Sea King only notched the Bendigo Cup recently which was more of Jumper’s Flat than the usual reliable Melbourne Cup guide.

“It’s a common Cup this year,” Bundamba Slim countered.

My own requirements for a Melbourne Cup centre around a stayer’s trainer with two-mile credentials, and the right jockey.

So far James Cummings hasn’t triumphed in the Big One but has the family background. Zardozi has shown her ability to back up quick taking the Wakeful and Oaks within a week last year. She has drawn well and will be navigated by Aron Atzeni who had experience on her in the Caulfield. Zardozi was beaten after difficulties in The Metropolitan at Randwick by Land Legend with his gear change being vital.

Waller is a Melbourne Cup trainer with Buckeroo on my shortlist despite having the services of Joao Moreira who can be magic but sometimes fall well short, the situation in 2023 on Soulcombe, the runner-up, and Buckeroo when beaten recently in the Caulfield Cup.

Ciaron Maher qualifies as great trainer over any distance and I estimated Okita Soushi, with the assistance of Jamie Kah, will be his best.

Even carrying a badly damaged snout Kah looked good on Saturday.

THE VERDICT:

1 – Land Legend.

2 – Zardozi.

3 – Okita Soushi.

4 – Buckaroo.