Fields drop for Sportsbet Melbourne Cup heats

Fields are out for the year’s best card of racing, Sportsbet Melbourne Cup heats this Saturday at Sandown Park.

The depth is evident and with a total of 85 nominations it meant that some good ones were going to miss out on being part of the 64 in the eight heats.

The runners combine for over $11.5M in prize money which underlines the series’ strength.

The card is also complemented by three heats of the Sportsbet Bold Trease for the stayers where Without A Trace and Ethanol Water lead the big names.

SPORTSBET MELBOURNE CUP HEAT 1
A line that absolutely oozes early speed led by Sharapova Star (2). Queensland’s Daysea’s Rory (4) kickstarts the interstate involvement in the heats.

SPORTSBET MELBOURNE CUP HEAT 2
Laurels winner Zipper On Time (1) and looks to have every possible chance to lead and win. While there is pace towards the outside she still holds the cards.

SPORTSBET MELBOURNE CUP HEAT 3
Cranbourne Cup and Shootout winner Colac Kid (8) has the challenge of crossing from a wide draw. Deadly Avenger (1) steps out for the first time since he was scratched in the Topgun.

SPORTSBET MELBOURNE CUP HEAT 4
WA’s star Miss Envy (4) returns to Victoria for the first time since she won the Laurels, which followed a 3rd in the Melbourne Cup. Dashing Slay (5) will be a threat as she always is.

SPORTSBET MELBOURNE CUP HEAT 5
Traumatise (8) set the fourth fastest time of the year at The Meadows last outing from the same draw. Cranbourne Cup runner-up Nigel Devere (2) returns to Sandown Park.

SPORTSBET MELBOURNE CUP HEAT 6
Hume Cup winner Accredited (1) is well placed but faces serious opposition. Tim Zoo (3) will be looking to shake a winless run and Tribeca (5) will have a say on the race early.

SPORTSBET MELBOURNE CUP HEAT 7
SA gun Mallee Beauty (6) missed an opportunity in the Topgun but is more suitably drawn in this. On her inside is the supremely consistent Paw Oswald (5).

SPORTSBET MELBOURNE CUP HEAT 8
A ripper to end the night. Flying Zulu (6) is met with another poor draw. Eriza Sparkles (5) was runner-up in the Topgun and has been selected for The Phoenix.

Catch the lot this Saturday night around Australia on Racing.com

Make sure you’re on track for the exclusive 200 Plus live podcast show, featuring Nick Butler, Charlie Cobden and special guests. 4-hours drink package, delicious finger food, plenty of giveaways and DJ Checkers pumping the tunes all night! Click here for more information

‍