BART Cummings is favoured to win his 13th Melbourne Cup by a cross section of Greater Taree racing identities when asked for selections for today's Melbourne Cup
Just about every pundit contacted by the Times nominated a Cumming-trained starter to be thereabouts at the finish.
However, leading trainer Ross Stitt believes Daffodil will bloom.
"It's a good race for four-year-old mares and I liked her run in the Caulfield Cup,'' he said.
Stitt believes the Cummings-trained Roman Emperor will be the danger.
Greater Taree's citizen of the year for 2008, Leanne Wood, says it will be Roman Emperor, citing the Cummings-factor.
Taree-Wi ngham Race Club vice president Greg Coleman believes it will be another triumph for Bart Cummings.
He believes Roman Emperor will win from Viewed. He's going for Shocking, to be ridden by former Wingham boy Corey Brown, for third.
"I'd love to see Corey win it,'' he said.
"But you just can't go past Bart Cummings.''
Taree-Wingham Race Club racing manager Phil Shoesmith believes Alcopop will get the money.
"I don't think there's been a more improved horse in Australia in the last 12 months than Alcopop,'' he said.
He goes for View and C'est La Guerre for the minors.
Mayor Paul Hogan likes the look of Roman Emperor.
"I thought he had good run in the Caulfield Cup. He would have won only Viewed got the run along the rails,'' he said.
For a roughie Cr Hogan went for the New Zealander Harris Tweed.
"It's been awhile since the New Zealanders have figured in the cup, so look out,'' he said.
Port Macquarie-based racing correrspondent Ken Gentles favours Lieca Ding.
"A big run after suffering interference when a commanding winner of the Geelong Cup last start. Has light weight, a group 1 winning jockey and a good barrier (2),'' he said,
For the minors he favours Viewed, Master O'Reilly and Alcopop.
"Viewed was far too strong for a lot of this field when a dominant Caulfield Cup winner two runs ago. He warmed up for the Cup with a very comfortable third in last Saturday's Mackinnon.
"Master O'Rielly is a former Caulfield Cup winner looking for 3200m. Was good in the Caulfield cup warming up late behind Viewed and got home strongly in the Mackinnon On Saturday.
"Alcopop has won last four starts including a most impressive 3.25 length win in the Herbert Power. Has not started since and the 3200m may be a worry. Out of sight out of mind and remains a chance.''
Times journalist Ken Warren is sticking with Bart Cummings and the Caulfield Cup form.
"Going for the better value with Roman Emperor, has a great record at the staying trips and escaped the weight penalty with his good second at Caulfield.
"Viewed is the one to beat, racing better than last year and can carry weight. Lightweight Daffodil can run into a place despite the wide draw,'' he said.
Racing journalist Peter Lynne notes that master trainer, Bart Cummings has plenty of ammunition to claim his 13th Melbourne Cup with his three runners peaking at the right time.
"Roman Emperor stands out as a typical Cummings Cup horse, he has raced twice over the 2400 metre journey for a win and a second and will have no trouble running a solid 3200 metres. His second in the Caulfield Cup was a cracking trial for the Cup and my mail is he is working brilliantly in track work. Good weight advantage, big race jockey and champion trainer,'' he said.
He selects Alcopop and Viewed for the minors.
Radio 2RE general manager and keen form student Murray Nelson believes Bart Cummings will score with Viewed.
"Stick with the strength - JB Cummings to win cup number 13,'' he said confidently.
"Viewed is prepared to perfection and is racing in far superior form to last year when he was a shock winner.''
David 'Group One' Barber, part of the syndicate that raced the highly successful Heavenly Glow last year, predicts that Master O'Reilly will salute.
"He's proven over the distance and I thought he was unlucky last year,'' he said.
"I thought his run on Saturday was full of merit, particularly over the last 200 metres.''
He said it's Roman Emperor and Warringah for the minors.
Manning River Times editor Toni Bell, ever-loyal to her Wingham connections, hopes that Shocking will win, with Corey Brown on board.
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