My Ambivalent’s Melbourne Cup Odds Slowly Firm

At one stage drifting out to Melbourne Cup odds of $51 for success, classy international My Ambivalent has received notable attention from punters over the last 24 hours, who have seen the classy mare cut back into a quote of $34 less-than six hours from the Race That Stops a Nation.

Andrea Atzeni (inside) will partner My Ambivalent in the 2014 Melbourne Cup this afternoon. Photo: Sarah Ebb

Andrea Atzeni (inside) will partner My Ambivalent in the 2014 Melbourne Cup this afternoon. Photo: Sarah Ebbett

Drawn in the inside gate 4 at Saturday evening’s Melbourne Cup barrier draw, trainer Roger Varian has been thrilled with the form and class displayed by the five-year-old since arriving in Australia last week, and is confident regular jockey Andrea Atzeni will find an ideal position in transit at Flemington this afternoon.

Noted for ‘playing-up’ during trackwork at her home in Newmarket, Britain, travelling foreman David Eustace was thrilled to see My Ambivalent getting up to her old tricks when galloping with Red Cadeaux late last week and is confident all signs point towards a successful Melbourne Cup tilt.

“We’re quite happy with how she’s behaving because it means she’s in quite good form,” Eustace told The Age.

“If she was flat and quiet I would be worried. That doesn’t bother us nearly as much as it bothers everyone else.

“(Red Cadeaux) was there to help us trot around and she goes when she wants to go. If she wanted to go when Red Cadeaux went, great. If she didn’t, we’ll get her off in her own time.”

Having her Melbourne Cup odds drift noticeably when unable to line up for the Caulfield Cup with a nasty stone bruise, My Ambivalent opened at a quote of $41 following Saturday’s confirmation of final field and barrier draw before drifting steadily out to $51.

Contesting a commendable record of five wins and a further six minor places from just 16 competitive appearances on course so far, My Ambivalent has been a notable contender from her maiden race start; a comfortable victory in the British Stallion Studs Maiden Stakes (1738m) in September 2011.

Continuing to impressive over a 2012 campaign highlighted by win in the Galliford Try Fillies’ Handicap (2057m) and Listed Chalice Stakes (2418m), the Authorized mare finished second in the Group 2 Middleton Stakes (2092m) first-up in 2013 before breaking through for a maiden victory at the highest level of racing in the Group 1 Pretty Polly Stakes (2011m) in June.

Finding exceptional form leading into the 2014 Melbourne Cup, My Ambivalent finished third in the Group 1 Dubai Sheema Classic (2410m) first-up before returning to the winner’s circle in the Middleton Stakes.

Running third in the Group 1 Coronation Cup (2423m) on June 7th, the mare out of Darrery finished fourth in the Pretty Polly Stakes defence last time out on June 29th.

Charged with carrying just 54.5kgs in Race 7 this afternoon, My Ambivalent’s Melbourne Cup odds appear like to firm more over the ours leading up to the Flemington feature.

About The Author

Jared Timms

Jared graduated with a journalism degree in 2011. He is a keen sports fan and has enjoyed many accolades for his lively writing style and comprehensive coverage of major sporting events and horse racing. Today, you can find Jared cheering on his beloved Manchester City with a beer in hand.