Lasotchka will love the distance in Melbourne Cup

The Group 1 Melbourne Cup at two miles at Flemington Racecourse in Australia on Tuesday local time will be a test of stamina for many of the 24 runners.

The recent French import Lastotchka is an exception. She will have her first start in Australia in the $5.45 million Melbourne Cup, but is a veteran of turf marathons.

Now trained by Mick Price and Michael Kent Jr., Lastotchka won her final start in Europe in the Group 3 Prix Gladiateur at 1 15/16 miles at Longchamp Racecourse in Paris on Sept. 3, her third stakes win since June 2022.

Considering Lastotchka’s other stakes wins were at 1 1/2 miles and 1 3/4 miles, the Melbourne Cup trip should be within reach. In late October, Lastotchka’s chances received a boost when jockey Craig Williams took the mount. Williams won the 2019 Melbourne Cup on Vow and Declare and often has mounts in leading races at Melbourne tracks.

:: Get free past performances, analysis, and picks for Australian racing

The Melbourne Cup, which will be available for wagering through DRFBets.com, is Australia’s most popular race. Post time in the U.S. is 11 p.m. Eastern and 8 p.m. Pacific Monday. In the last 15 years, the field has frequently included leading contenders with a background of racing in Europe.

This year’s field is no exception. Aside from Lastotchka, the contenders include the Irish import Vauban, who is expected to be favored, and More Felons.

Gold Trip, who won the 2022 Melbourne Cup, was bred in France and began his career there before he was sent to Australia in the winter of 2021-22. He won the Melbourne Cup at 20-1 last year in his sixth start in Australia. Gold Trip is part of this year’s Melbourne Cup field with an excellent chance.

Vauban, trained in Ireland by Willie Mullins, is a fascinating favorite in that he has been successful in the last two years in prestigious hurdle races in Ireland and flat races in Ireland and England.

Vauban was 3-1 in early betting as Friday, while Lastotchka was an interesting price at 20-1. She will attempt to become the first filly or mare to win the Melbourne Cup since Verry Elleegant in 2021.

Verry Elleegant, who was retired in late 2022, was bred in New Zealand and is the last Southern Hemisphere-bred winner.

This year, the best hope of the Australian-bred runners is Right You Are, a 7-year-old gelding who was 25-1 in early betting on Friday. Right You Are is winless in four starts since the Mornington Cup at 1 1/2 miles at Mornington Racecourse in April.

:: Want to learn more about handicapping and wagering? Check out DRF's Handicapping 101 and Wagering 101 pages.