The Aussie group The Seekers had a massive hit years ago with the song "The Carnival Is Over" and for the migratory punters who descend on Flemington for the four days of the Melbourne Cup carnival the carnival is indeed over. However, there are many punters who like to reflect and I am one of them. So what did we learn this year?As far as the Melbourne Cup is concerned the carnival is almost over for Australian trainers and owners in their quest for the Melbourne Cup. I suspect the in

The Aussie group The Seekers had a massive hit years ago with the song "The Carnival Is Over" and for the migratory punters who descend on Flemington for the four days of the Melbourne Cup carnival the carnival is indeed over. However, there are many punters who like to reflect and I am one of them. So what did we learn this year?

As far as the Melbourne Cup is concerned the carnival is almost over for Australian trainers and owners in their quest for the Melbourne Cup. I suspect the international trainers/owners have finally worked out the type of horse needed, if Americain is any example. The dead set 4000m plus type of stayers will seldom come our way again and if they do just put a line through their chances. The type needed is a genuine 2400m runner who has shown ability at distances around 3000m-3200m overseas: in other words, an Americain type.

I have little doubt the Geelong Cup is going to become THE pivotal race for the internationals, if they do not use the Caulfield Cup. The wins by Media Puzzle and Americain would have to stand out like a beacon to the internationals. There is really only one other serious lead up race and that is the Lexus/Hotham Handicap, as evidenced in the last two years through the wins by Shocking and Maluckyday. I suspect the majority of the winners of this race will be by local horses as the overseas trainers do not seem to like the idea of the quick backup.

From a punting point of view the race will become more of a guess race than it is at the moment as more and more overseas runners will be entered and will gain entry due to some, at times, dubious overseas formlines and ratings. As you can note I am over the Melbourne Cup as a betting proposition and in future will simply be involved in a syndicate or two with some punting mates having a crack at the trifecta and First Four and enjoy the race as just a bit of fun As far as the rest of the carnival I will stick to the home grown product races where all the runners are known to me a fraction more intimately than the overseas runners. Over the four days I was able to pick my way through the races and find enough winners and placegetters to keep the wallet happy.

What can one say about So You Think and Black Caviar bar just state two words, "world class". Can I add one other horse: Zipping. Is this horse the epitome of courage or what? He is an iron horse and when he finishes racing I hope finishes at the Living Legends farm where I will have the greatest pleasure in getting close enough to him to give his forehead a bit of a rub. I had that pleasure last Friday with Better Loosen Up and several days later I am still in awe of a plain looking gelding that took the world on and beat them.