Melbourne Cup 2017 Form: Distance No Issue for Johannes Vermeer

November 6, 2017

Melbourne Cup 2017 Form: Distance No Issue for Johannes Vermeer

Some Melbourne Cup 2017 form experts are raising queries about the 3200m ability of Johannes Vermeer but part-owner Nick Williams said the Irish raider would run out the two miles no worries.

Ben Melham

Ben Melham rides Johannes Vermeer in the 2017 Melbourne Cup Field on Tuesday. Photo: Daniel Costello.

There are 11 Northern hemisphere-trained stayers making the raid on Tuesday’s Group 1 $6.25 million Group 1 Emirates Melbourne Cup (3200m) due to run as Flemington Race 7 at 3:00pm (AEDT).

Three of the six Team Williams-owned Melbourne Cup horses are prepared overseas with the Aidan O’Brien-trained Johannes Vermeer, and the Joseph O’Brien-trained stablemates US Army Ranger and Rekindling.

Macedon Lodge, led by five-time Melbourne Cup winning owner Lloyd Williams, also saddle-up the reigning champion Almandin from barrier 14, and his fellow Robert Hickmott-trained stablemates Bondi Beach and Gallante drawn opposite ends of the field in gates one and 18 respectively.

The team’s best fancied chance in the Melbourne Cup betting markets at Ladbrokes.com.au paying $9 and easing is Almandin who was the comprehensive winner carrying 4.5kg less last year.

There has also been early support for Galileo entire Johannes Vermeer ($12 into $11) with the galloper drawing well in barrier three for jockey Ben Melham.

Barrier three has produced two Melbourne Cup winners in the past 30 years, most recently the Dermot Weld-trained Irish raider Media Puzzle (3 of 23 in 2002).

A five-year-old in Australia, Johannes Vermeer is one of the internationals who fit the Melbourne Cup form of having had a lead-up down under leading into the ‘Race That Stops A Nation’.

He ran second first-up behind Gailo Chop in the Group 1 Ladbrokes Stakes (2000m) narrowly beaten at weight-for-age as a $21 outsider before his slashing Group 1 Caulfield Cup (2400m) third.

Johannes Vermeer, with Melham in the saddle for the mile and half classic on October 21, was under one and a half lengths beaten by the Lindsay Park-trained Caulfield Cup winner Boom Time.

Boom Time scored an upset at 50/1 odds and is currently pay $26 in Melbourne Cup betting to do the double last achieved by Ethereal (2001).

Johannes Vermeer carries the same 54.5kg weight he did in the Caulfield Cup lead-up and is looking for his first win over further than 2011m.

That and the fact he is untested over the two miles has pulled up some red flags for a few Melbourne Cup tipsters, but Williams has no concerns about the distance on Tuesday.

“[He’s] done nothing wrong since he’s been in the country,” Williams told the Herald Sun.

“There seems to be doubts about him staying the trip, I can tell you there are no doubts in the camp.

“We are very confident. I know Aidan [O’Brien] is very keen.

“When horses get on a plane to come to Australia, they seem to either gain a furlong or lose a furlong.

“This horse seems to have gained a furlong. He hasn’t missed a beat.”

To check out the latest Melbourne Cup 2017 odds on the horses in the field head to Ladbrokes.com.au today.

Racing fields and data are copyright 2011-2021 © Racing Australia Pty Ltd (RA) (and other parties working with it).
Racing materials, including fields, form and results, is subject to copyright which is owned by RA and other parties working with it. Full copyright notice.

Spring Racing

Military Mission Fires in 2023...

Zipping Classic 2023 Field �...

Zipping Classic 2023 Field & Odds Update: Vow And Declare Defends Title

Danny O’Brien’s 2019 Melbourne Cup winner Vow And Declare continues to show a...

Overpass Heads 2023 Winterbott...

Overpass Heads 2023 Winterbottom Stakes Field & Betting Markets

Bjron Baker’s The Everest performer Overpass is tipped to return to winning...

Osipenko Leads The Gong 2023 R...

Osipenko Leads The Gong 2023 Race Field & Betting

The Chris Waller-trained Pierro four-year-old Osipenko is firm favourite in...

2023 Railway Stakes Field ...

2023 Railway Stakes Field & Betting Update: Tuvalu Narrow Favourite

The Lindsey Smith-trained top-weight Tuvalu is narrow favourite in the latest...

Horse Racing Today

Pride Of Jenni Wins 2024 Queen...

Sydney Cup 2024 Winner Circle ...

Sydney Cup 2024 Winner Circle Of Fire Salutes for Punters

Another staying race goes to star horseman Ciaron Maher whose race favourite,...

Australian Oaks 2024 Results: ...

Australian Oaks 2024 Results: Autumn Angel Beats Zardozi on the Back-Up

Peter Moody & Katherine Coleman continued their ace The Championships’...

2024 Arrowfield 3YO Sprint Res...

2024 Arrowfield 3YO Sprint Results: Joliestar Returns a Winner for Waller

Joliestar was terrific in her first-up run since taking out last year’s...

2024 Percy Sykes Stakes Result...

2024 Percy Sykes Stakes Results: Eneeza Beats Lady Of Camelot

The Peter Moody & Katherine Coleman-trained Eneeza ran up to form...

Race Results

2024 Queen Of The Turf Stakes Results: Waller Runs Quinella with Zougotcha and Atishu

Pride Of Jenni Wins 2024 Queen Elizabeth Stakes in Historical Demolition Job

Sydney Cup 2024 Winner Circle Of Fire Salutes for Punters

Australian Oaks 2024 Results: Autumn Angel Beats Zardozi on the Back-Up

2024 Arrowfield 3YO Sprint Results: Joliestar Returns a Winner for Waller

Race Previews

2024 The Quokka Race Tips & Best Bets

Manaal Heads Champagne Stakes 2024 Field & Betting

2024 All Aged Stakes Field & Betting Update: Espiona Leads Markets

2024 The Quokka Field, Barriers & Betting Update: Amelia’s Jewel Favourite Out Wide

Queen Elizabeth Stakes 2024 Tips & Best Bets

Fields & Form

2024 The Quokka Race Tips & Best Bets

Manaal Heads Champagne Stakes 2024 Field & Betting

2024 All Aged Stakes Field & Betting Update: Espiona Leads Markets

2024 The Quokka Field, Barriers & Betting Update: Amelia’s Jewel Favourite Out Wide

Queen Elizabeth Stakes 2024 Tips & Best Bets