Melbourne Cup 2019: Who the experts and celebrities are tipping for the big race

Nathan Williamson

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Melbourne Cup 2019: Who the experts and celebrities are tipping for the big race image

The big race is finally here with the 2019 Melbourne Cup only hours away.

As 'the race that stops the nation' draws closer, every man and his dog will be coming out of the shadows to give their predictions.

Whilst people will swear by a particular lead-in race (personally the Geelong Cup) or the colours of the jockey silks, the Melbourne Cup often throws up a variety of selections and tips.

Many will go full patriotic and pick an Australian horse (Vow and Declare) whilst others will select horses based on unique connections such as travels (Southern France) or university (Latrobe).

But at the end of the day, it's all down to luck.

The Melbourne Cup is one of the hardest, if not hardest to pick, where the pre-race favourite hasn't won in six years and you end up studying the form guide to realise that any horse can win it (well maybe not Neufbosc but Prince of Penzance showed that it's not impossible).

So what better way to hopefully find the winning tip (or at least sound like you know what you're talking about) then looking at what the experts and celebrities have decided to back.

Personally, I think the trend of favourites losing ends this year, with Finche set to continue Chris Waller's incredible Spring Carnival and gift him seeingly the only trophy he hasn't won, with Southern France shaping as a nice roughie.

Sporting News racing expert Liam O'Loughlin is tipping the cup to stay in Australia, predicting Vow And Declare to overcome the wide barrier and secure the win ahead of Il Paradiso and Suprise Baby.

Click the link to check out Liam's full analysis for every race on the Flemington/Randwick card.

Racing insider Richard Freedman has his eyes set on Caulfield Cup winner Mer De Glace, believing the Japanese stayer will become the first horse to pull off the Caulfield/Melbourne double since Ethereal in 2001.

"Mer de Glace is my number one pick. It's a Japanese horse that won the Caulfield Cup, and he won it in stunning fashion," Freeman told Sports Sunday

"He just chimed in at the top of the straight, defeating Finche, who I think will go very well. 

"Japanese horses are just killing it at the moment. They're just fantastic horses, so I'm going with him there.

"He's as good as any."

Legendary Irish jockey Johnny Murtagh was in agreement with Freedman, saying if he had to give a tip he would pick Mer De Glace closely followed by Constantinople

Sky Racing reporter Mark Guest is predicting a back-to-back winner, suggesting that Cross Counter will defy sceptics and get up as the top weight. 

Meanwhile, his colleague Ron Dufficy is backing Irish stayer Il Paradiso ahead of Surprise Baby and local hope Vow And Declare.

Fox Footy and SEN broadcaster Gerard Whateley and legendary commentator/dancer Bruce McAvaney produced an unique method to give their tips, providing a phantom call of the race on Whateley.

Both backed Finche to beat out last year's winner Cross Counter by a nose.

Everyone's favourite former bookie/punter Tom Waterhouse believes that the three favourites- Mer De Glace, Constantinople and Finche represent no value.

Waterhouse believes that the best value punting opportunity Joseph O’Brien-trained Latrobe, who he put significant money on at the Call Of The Card.

Fox Cricket and Australian cricketing legend Shane Warne has his eyes set on Constantinople to lift the cup.

This view is shared by Mark Waugh, who believes Joao Moreira will get Constantinople home first ahead of Mer De Glace and Raymond Tusk

 

 

Nathan Williamson