As mentioned in last week’s article, Diatribe is well on target to take the year 2000 Melbourne Cup. His run in the Cox plate was first class when you consider he is not a noted wet tracker and he was the only horse to make any ground on the winner.

Yes we know we predicted Sunline would not repeat but after witnessing last weekends performance we know we have seen something special.

Yippio was our selection in last week’s Moonee Valley Cup but as we noted in that article, there were few class horses in that race and in the Melbourne Cup, well that’s a different story. Yippio is in to 12/1 in the latest betting and although a proven two miler, he is not going to be my pick.

Freemason will go into next week’s race with a poor strike rate but with his close up fourth in the Caulfield Cup, he merits inclusion in the chances. Kaapstad Way must be included for the same reason yet he is very consistent. They say that he will need at least a good track to perform so let’s hope he gets it because I believe the contest between Diatribe and Kaapstad Way will be a highlight next Tuesday.

Now how about the imports? Arctic Owl is a bit of an unknown as is Lightning Arrow but Lightning Arrow was reported to have run 1.35 in a 1600 metre barrier trial at Caulfield recently. I don’t know of any other horse doing that in a trial. On that basis he would have to be a chance.

Our last chance to find a winner comes on Saturday when the Mackinnon is run. An outstanding performance in this race can suggest a great chance on Tuesday. Of the other entrants I find none that would appear to have any hope of beating those horses I have already mentioned.

Now get to it. Pick up every snippet of information you can. Good luck on Tuesday.