The incredible Melbourne Cup is nearing and the historic Group 1 is a spectacle for horse racing where the greats battle it out.
Held at Flemington Racecourse the greatest horses around the world land in Australia take on the 2m flat for the huge prize money that awaits the winner.
But the race is now in question as the CT scanner that prevents injuries and deaths has broken down with just a week until the big race.
With strict new protocols in place to assure welfare for the horses a spanner has been thrown into the works as the important piece of equipment is down.
Each horse is required to have a CT scan to at Werribbee, which is used to check a horse’s fitness and detect any unknown injuries.
Due to the timing of the machine breaking down it means 16 of the final acceptors for the race have not yet been examined.
Racing Victoria is said to be working to find a replacement part but that will come from the US and there is no assurances when the package could arrive due to postal delays with Covid-19.
Last year no fans were in attendance due to the pandemic.
But 10,000 are expected to be present this year to make the noise for the race that ‘stops a nation’.
The prize money attracts the best of the best, as trainers see the potential of the purse and bring their top-rated horses to take on the Group 1.
Winners include the great three-time winner Makybe Diva, two-time winners Think Big, Archer, and recent winners Green Moon and Protectionist.
Glen Boss rode the three victories onboard Makybe Diva and the 52-year-old jockey is still going nearing 2000 wins.
2021 Melbourne Cup: When is it?
The 2021 Melbourne Cup is set for the off on Tuesday 2nd November.
The Melbourne Cup has taken place on the first Tuesday of November every year since 1875.
The rich Australian race will be run at 4am UK time and 3pm ACT time.
2021 Melbourne Cup: How big is the field?
Each year, there are lots of horses that are nominated for the big race.
But only 24 horses will take on the prestigious race that ‘stops the nation’.
2021 Melbourne Cup: What is the prize money?
The prize money for the Melbourne Cup is expected to be $8 million, as it was in 2020.
2021 Melbourne Cup: Race conditions
The Melbourne Cup is 2m.
It is a handicapped race for horses aged 3 years and above.
2021 Melbourne Cup: Betting tips and horses
Incentivise is currently the runaway favourite at 8/5, with Spanish Mission a reasonably priced 6/1.
Last year’s winner comes off the back of two good runs in Ireland including a Group 3 win at Curragh in the Irish St Leger Trial, before coming second in the big race.
The Joseph O’Brien-trained horse is 14/1 to defend the Melbourne Cup but question marks remain over the preferred ground.
Tralee Rose is also within contention and has avoided a weight penalty for her Geelong Cup success among Group 3 company on October 20.
Racing Victoria said in a statement explaining the handicapper’s reasoning: “no mare has placed in a Melbourne Cup in the 15 editions since Makybe Diva won the race in 2005.”
The field is getting closer to being confirmed and will likely be finalised in the days leading up to the momentous occasion as more are racing for contention into the big race this week.
The Danny O’Brien-trained fancy Young Werther won’t take his place in the race it was confirmed over the weekend.
O’Brien released a statement that a CT scan revealed ‘an area of concern’ which renders a risk to his welfare and is therefore withdrawn.
The promising star was well-fancied in the field at 12th in the order, at the time of the announcement.
New customer sign up offers
Paddy Power: £20 Risk Free Bet – CLAIM HERE
New customers only. Place your FIRST bet on any sportsbook market and if it loses we will refund your stake in CASH. Max refund for this offer is £20. Only deposits made using Cards or Apple Pay will qualify for this promotion. T&Cs apply. Paddy’s Rewards Club: Get a £10 free bet when you place 5x bets of £10+. T&Cs apply. 18+ Begambleaware.org
William Hill: Bet 10 Get 40 – CLAIM HERE
New customers using promo code C40 only. 1x per customer. Min £10/€10 bet. Min odds 1/2 (1.5). Free bets paid as 2x £15/€15 (expires after 30 days). Max £10 Bonus. 35x wagering requirement. Max redeemable amount £25. Casino bonus expires 72 hours from issue. Eligibility rules, free-bet rules, game, location, payment-method, currency restrictions, stake contributions and terms and conditions apply. 18+ Begambleaware.org
Sky Bet: Bet £10 Get £40 – CLAIM HERE
NEW CUSTOMERS ONLY. FIRST SINGLE & E/W BET ONLY. ODDS OF 1/1 OR GREATER. 4 X £10 BET TOKEN. FREE BET STAKES NOT INCLUDED IN RETURNS. FREE BETS FOR HORSE RACING & FOOTBALL ONLY. FREE BETS ARE NON WITHDRAWABLE. NO FREE BET EXPIRY. ELIGIBILITY RESTRICTIONS AND FURTHER T&CS APPLY. 18+. BEGAMBLEAWARE.ORG.
Betfair: Bet 5 Get 20 in Free Accas – CLAIM HERE
Min stake £5, min odds 2.0. Only deposits made using Cards or ApplePay will qualify. Free bets are awarded after the qualifying bet has settled, valid for 30 days, and must be used on multiples with 3+ legs. Max £20 in free bets. T&Cs apply. 18+ BeGambleAware.Org
Most read in Betting Tips
Ladbrokes: Bet £5 Get £20 – CLAIM HERE
18+ New UK+IRE customers. Paypal and certain deposit types and bet types excluded. Min £5 bet within 14 days of account reg at min odds 1/2 = 4 x £5 free bets. Free bets valid for 7 days on sports, stake not returned, restrictions apply. T&Cs apply Begambleaware.org
Coral: Bet £5 Get £20 – CLAIM HERE
Eligible UK+IRE players. Paypal & some deposit & bet types excl. Min first £5 bet within 14 days of account reg at min odds 1/2 = 4x £5 free bets. Free bets valid for 7 days, stake not returned. No cash-out, restrictions & T&Cs apply. 18+ T&Cs Apply. Begambleaware.org
888Sport: Bet 10 get 30 + 10 casino – CLAIM HERE
New customers only. Min deposit £10 • A qualifying bet is a ‘real money’ stake of at least £10 • Min odds 1/2 (1.5) • Free Bets credited upon qualifying bet settlement and expires after 7 days • Free Bet stakes not included in returns • Casino Bonus must be claimed within 7 days • To withdraw bonus/related wins, wager bonus amount x40 within 14 days • Casino bonus expires after 60 days • Withdrawal restrictions & full T&Cs apply 18+ begambleaware.org
Commercial content notice: Taking one of the bookmaker offers featured in this article may result in a payment to talkSPORT. 18+. T&Cs apply. Begambleaware.org
Remember to gamble responsibly
A responsible gambler is someone who:
- Establishes time and monetary limits before playing
- Only gambles with money they can afford to lose
- Never chase their losses
- Doesn’t gamble if they’re upset, angry or depressed
- GamCare – www.gamcare.org.uk
- Gamble Aware – www.begambleaware.org
For help with a gambling problem, call the National Gambling Helpline on 0808 8020 133 or go to www.gamstop.co.uk to be excluded from all UK-regulated gambling websites.