Ryan Moore is confident that Bondi Beach has the right Melbourne Cup form, but the talented hoop believes that luck in running will be crucial in the Group 1 event at Flemington this afternoon.
Bondi Beach has the chance to deliver Lloyd Williams yet another win in the 2016 Melbourne Cup. Photo by: Ultimate Racing Photos
Bondi Beach failed to fire in the Melbourne Cup 12 months ago, but he started his racing season with wins in the Listed Martin Molony Stakes (2514m) at Limerick on April 23 and the Group 3 Vintage Crop Stakes (2816m) at Navan on May 15.
The Galileo entire was beaten in both the Group 3 Ballyroan Stakes (2414m) at Leopardstown on August 4 and the Group 3 Enterprise Stakes (2414m) at the same venue on September, but Moore believes that the Melbourne Cup has always been the sole goal for Bondi Beach this season.
“I think that he is a nice horse,” Moore said.
“He ran in the race last year and he was just a bit immature for the race really.
“He has been bought along gradually this year and this race has always been in mind.
“Everybody seems happy and he is a horse that I think has plenty of upside still.
“This is a very competitive race as it always is and with 24 runners it goes without saying that we are going to need a lot of luck.
“Hopefully he has a good chance.”
While Moore fancies the chances of Bondi Beach in the 2016 Melbourne Cup, he admits that there is plenty of talent in the field and it will be a tough assignment for the four-year-old.
Moore said that he was impressed with the Caulfield Cup victory of Jameka and he added that Hartnell, Heartbreak City and the four other Godolphin horses in the field could all factor in the Melbourne Cup finish.
“Hartnell probably has the best form and Jameka was impressive in the Caulfield Cup,” Moore said.
“Almandin and Heartbreak City are horses that I like and the other Godolphin horses look very competitive.
“Every horse will be trained to the minute and you have to respect them all.”
Bondi Beach is currently available at 2016 Melbourne Cup odds of $10 and he is on the fourth line of betting behind Melbourne Cup favourite Hartnell ($5.50), Caulfield Cup winner Jameka ($8) and Lexus Stakes winner Oceanographer ($9).
