The Australian Cup conjures up hordes of class and courage; the calling card of the stars of the races glory days. Zipping, Northerly, Intergaze, Octagonal, Saintly, Veandercross, Better Loosen Up, Vo Rogue, Bonecrusher. There is plenty of flair among such names but with equal lumps of fortitude.
There are double up winners (a list Cascadian attempts to join), Kiwis (Legarto), Mackinnon winners (Atishu (also a Kiwi)). Better Loosen Up sits on that list and he has been (largely due to his stable) often compared with Mr Brightside. And then we have our modern day Vo Rogue; Pride Of Jenni.
This is, for now, too rich a comparison for Jenni who has done for six months what Vo Rogue did for about two years, but that six month patch has seen her land three of the biggest miles in the land in brilliant fashion and to the joy of clockwatchers.
Now she takes her trick to 2000m; something she has only attempted once - with explosive results. Explosive in the wrong sense. She blew up. Attempting to set a searching gallop she set a stupid one and ran herself straight into Randwick's boggy ground. Those clockwatchers were left shaking their heads that day. Her effort amazing when splits were deciphered. She was set mission impossible, and it was impossible to fancy her getting it done any time soon.
But this is a different time. She is a different beast and Declan Bates has mastered the art of running others into the ground rather than Jenni.
From one, Mr Brightside is drawn to stalk. At Caulfield his chance was shot a long way from home. This time he will line Jenni up from a long way out.
A brilliant race is set to unfold, but there is some bad news: the betting has this about right - in my view anyway - and so it is best played small and savoured unless markets move in the meantime.
Mr Brightside might have the Hayes boys bouncing come the last where they saddle another great chance and, most importantly, one that gives us a chance to bet.
Rheinberg was beaten at Ballarat but with his reputation intact. Enhanced, even, in the eyes of some, and while the last is not lacking for interesting runners and lively hopes he looks a better chance than all of them and his early odds - $4.40 and better worth taking.
The card is fairly rich in each-way chances with the one put up here Galeron back in race three.
This time last year Galeron was competitive in both the English and Irish Guineas and his Goodwood run also stands out as a piece of form ahead of the game here.
That of course requires that he has brought his game down under, and the Golden Eagle didn't offer many or any signs of that, but at the prices he is a chance worth taking.
THE MELBOURNE MAIL
Bet Of The Day: Race 10 #2 Rheinberg @ $4.60
Each Way Play: Race 3 #6 Galeron @ $23.00
