White Marlin and Soulcombe, the early front runners to topple Gold Trip at 2023 Melbourne Cup

Sports
By James

There’s still a long way to go until the big day at Flemington Racecourse, but it’s never too soon to take a look at some of the rivals that 2022 Melbourne Cup winner, Gold Trip, could be lining up against when the great race takes place again later this year.

When is the 2023 Melbourne Cup?

The 2023 Melbourne Cup Carnival promises to be another showcase event with four days of top-class racing. The event kicks off on Saturday, November 4th, with the Melbourne Cup race taking place on the first Tuesday (November 7th) of the month, at 3 pm (EDST). As always, the event is likely to be popular, and racegoers looking for tickets may need to move fast to ensure they don’t miss out on the action.

What happened in the 2022 Melbourne Cup?

Last year’s race was won by Gold Trip. The +1800 outsider won by two lengths ahead of Emissary (+2200) in what was a good result for the Australian bookmakers.

The previously French-owned Bay Mare hadn’t had an overly successful career in France prior to arriving in Australia in 2022 when he was sold to the Australian Bloodstock syndicate for a fee reported to be in the millions. That purchase already looks like a shrewd one.

Who is the favorite to win the 2023 Melbourne Cup?

Already two horses are heavily fancied to stop Gold Trip from winning back-to-back Melbourne Cups, and they are White Marlin and Soulcombe. Both these horses are joint favorites at +1400 to win the race, and a quick look at their respective pedigrees shows why.

White Marlin looking to step up in class

White Marlin is sired by Mastercraftsman from the respected Coolmore Stud in Ireland. Mastercraftsman has also sired quality horses like The Grey Gatsby and Alpha Centauri, who have earned seven-figure sums for their respective owners.

The Irish horse has a record of two wins from two on the flat at home and is one from one in Australia. Jockey Tim Clark steered the four-year-old to victory in the Macca’s Run Handicap at Flemington Park last November. White Marlin started that race as the favorite and didn’t disappoint, winning by five and a half lengths.

The Melbourne Cup will be a step up in class, but White Marlin already looks up to the task.

Frankel’s Offspring looking to make an impact

Also expected to be in with a chance of winning the Melbourne Cup is Soulcombe. Sired by no less than the great Frankel, Soulcombe already has an impressive record, which includes a big win at Flemington Racecourse. Last November he cruised to victory in the Group 3 Queen’s Cup and laid down a huge marker for all his rivals.

The horse will be four by the time the 2023 Melbourne Cup is run, and to be made favorite by the bookmakers this far out is an indication of just how good Frankel’s offspring is expected to be.

Between the three horses, if they all line up at Flemington Racecourse in November, it promises to be another classic race to match a classic day out on the great Melbourne sporting calendar.

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