Zabeelionaire 2012 Melbourne Cup Profile

Clinton Payne, www.racenet.com.au

Zabeelionaire is currently at odds of $51 in the 2012 Melbourne Cup and Racenet takes a look at his chances in the big race.

Last race: He came through the Group I Mackinnon Stakes over 2000 metres when working home strongly to finish fifth, beaten two lengths, in a fast run race.

Recent form: He finished sixth, beaten 2-3/4 lengths, in the Group I Caulfield Cup over 2400 metres. Prior to that he was down the track in the Group I Turnbull Stakes over 2000 metres at Flemington.

Racing style: He tends to in a midfield position.

Trainer: Leon Corstens hasn’t won a Melbourne Cup but importantly he knows what it takes to win the great race. Corstens used to be the stable foreman for Bart Cummings and was with the stable for a few of the Cups King’s 12 Melbourne Cup winners.

Pros: This horse is coming to his peak right on time with solid runs at his last two in good Melbourne Cup form races. He’s by Zabeel, the sire of three Melbourne Cup winners, out of a Carnegie mare, which suggests the 3200 metres won’t be a problem.

Cons: While barriers don’t play as big a part in the Melbourne Cup as they do in most races, gate 24 is terrible for Zabeelionaire, who midfield or worse and may have to go way back to get cover.

Does he have the class to win a modern day Melbourne Cup?

Assessment: He’s a fit horse that has improved with each run into Tuesday, and his Mackinnon run was “Cummings-esque”. There are pluses and minuses to his credentials but he’s not without an each-way chance if the breaks go his way in the run.

Current odds: Sportsbet are offering $51 about Zabeelionaire in the Melbourne Cup.