The 2013 Melbourne Cup betting support for Irish stayer Simenon has continued to flow and he is now on the fifth line of betting at odds of $15.
Simenon has been one of the best backed runners in 2013 Melbourne Cup betting markets. Photo by: Race Horse Photos Australia
Simenon has been one of the best backed runners since he secured a spot in the 2013 Melbourne Cup field last Saturday, following the withdrawal of Mr Moet and Moriarty, and has been a clear market mover in the past 24 hours.
The Marju gelding is a proven stayer who has previously competed over a number of tough staying trips in the United Kingdom; winning the Ascot Stakes (4023m), Queen Alexandra Stakes (4369m) and finishing second behind Estimate in the Group 1 Gold Cup (4023m) during the 2013 Royal Ascot meeting.
A number of racing experts thought that the seven-year-old was too dour and did not have the turn-of-foot required to be competitive in the Melbourne Cup but showed impressive acceleration when he finished an unlucky third behind Sea Moon and Oasis Bloom in the Group 2 Herbert Power Stakes (2400m).
Trainer Willie Mullins is returning to Australia for the second time in his colourful career and said everything has gone perfectly to plan since Simenon arrived in Australia just over a month ago.
“I am very happy with how he looks and I am very happy with how he has worked,” Mullins told Thorough Media.
“We are really happy with how he has taken his training, how he has taken his quarantine and how he has travelled.
“I don’t think we have had any setbacks what so ever.
“The last time we had a horse here in 2003, Holy Orders, he wouldn’t train or doing anything and he was a bit of a character.
“This horse is different, he is a professional, and we just need luck in running now.”
Simenon has been extremely well-backed in 2013 Melbourne Cup betting markets since he drew gate 12 at the barrier draw on Saturday afternoon and Mullins said that he was happy with the draw but will be leaving the race tactics up to leading English jockey Richard Hughes.
“We didn’t get a bad draw and everything has gone right,” Mullins said.
“I will leave that to Richard Hughes but I have a fair idea in my own head what I want to do.
“We will follow a fairly conventional Melbourne Cup tactic I hope but a lot will depend on the horses that are inside and outside me.
“We are here and we are up for it.”
Simenon has been a market mover in 2013 Melbourne Cup betting markets but there has also been plenty of support for Caulfield Cup winner Fawkner ($16) and Caulfield Cup runner-up Dandino ($12) whose odds have shortened this morning.
