The Melbourne Cup is to be run on Tuesday in Melbourne, Australia. It is a race over 3,200 metres. There are 24 acceptors. Master O’Reilly, an Australian contender, and Purple Moon, the England-based horse trained by Luca Cumani, are the betting favorites. Mahler, from the Aidan O’Brien stable, is in the field. Tungsten Strike, also from England, will take his chances.

There was heavy rain on Sunday in Melbourne. The forecast calls for early showers on Monday and the weather is supposed to get better during the second part of Monday. On Tuesday, sunny skies will be the order of the day. Talking about the rain, Luca Cumani stated, “We complain about the rain. If there is no rain, we will complain about something else.”

The Melbourne Cup will be run at Flemington Race Course. It is a Group I event and is sponsored by Emirates Airlines. Post positions were drawn on Saturday.

Here is good news for racing fans in India. Daniel Grant rode three winners at Leopardstown, Ireland over the weekend. He rode the 16-1 Luxdeluna to victory on Saturday in a race over 1,800 metres. On Sunday, Grant made two visits to the winner’s circle. He was victorious aboard the 16-1 Prince Shaun in a photo finish in a 1,400-metre event. Grant’s other winner was the 4-1 Mojito Royal who won by one half length in a race over 1,600 metres.

At the end of Sunday’s racing in England, Jamie Spencer leads Seb Sanders 185-182 in the race for leading jockey. This has been an absorbing duel. On Sunday, Spencer rode two winners at Wolverhampton. Seb Sanders was not in action. VC Bet, a bookmaking outfit, is offering 2-5 on Spencer.

There is a hearing on a disqualification that resulted in Spencer gaining a win at the expense of Sanders at Newmarket three days ago. If the appeal is upheld, Sanders will gain one and Spencer will lose one.

On Monday, Spencer has six rides at Wolverhampton. Sanders has four rides. Spencer will not ride on Tuesday and Wednesday serving out a suspension. This race is as exciting as it gets.

The two are great riders. Sanders has wonderful decision-making ability. There is no better rider than Spencer when it comes to rallying off the pace. Spencer was at one time the stable jockey for Aidan O’Brien. His win on Powerscourt in the Arlington Million and the subsequent disqualification was a sore point in the trainer-jockey relationship. Spencer won the title in 2005. Spencer made a statement on Sunday. “Once this season ends, I will go away from racing and enjoy myself.”

Greg Fairley is the champion apprentice jockey in England. He has an insurmountable lead and the season ends on Saturday, November 10, 2007.

At the end of November 2, 2007, Jorge Ricardo of Argentina leads Russell Baze of America, 9,910 to 9,895. Ten thousand winners in a lifetime-it is remarkable.

At Santa Anita on Saturday, Bold Chieftain ran away with the $250,000 California Cup Classic. It was a dirt race over 1800 metres. The time was 1 47.23 and Bold Chieftain returned $13.80. The beaten favourite in this race was Lava Man who was the 16-10 choice. Lava Man finished sixth. Ten ran.

Churchill Downs hosted two Graded races on Saturday. The Grade III Ack Ack carried a purse of $200,000. It was over 1600 metres for three year-olds and up. Istan, Kent Desormeaux up, won going away. The time was 1 34 on a fast (dirt) track and Istan paid $6.80. The winning margin was almost nine lengths. Sun King, the 14-10 favourite, was the runner-up.

“It was a brilliant performance on this horse’s part. He did it all by himself,” said a happy Kent Desormeaux. Istan is by Gone West by Mr Prospector. The dam is Ronda by Bluebird.

Trainer Steve Asmussen  and jockey Robby Albarado combined to win the Grade II Chilukki Stakes with Rolling Sea, a four year-old filly. The race was over 1,600 metres and the time was 1 36.02. Rolling Sea paid $10.00. Eight ran. The race carried a $200,000 purse.

Jockey Albarado had drawn post-one and took a ground-saving trip. He had clearance along the fence as the field turned for home and quickened to take charge and draw away.
Rolling Sea is by Sefapiano by Fappiano. Almost Sma is the dam by Cure The Blues.

Robby Albarado showered praise on Rolling Sea. “I did not do anything with her. I let her cruise. We had a clean trip. She took care of them today.”