Track: Good   Weather: Fine

A field of fifteen runners are set to line up for the $200,000 Maybe Mahal Stakes.  Cordilla has been well supported in early markets and is the current favourite for the race.  She was luckless at Flemington two starts ago and then an easy winner at her latest start at Cranbourne.  Lyre found Group 1 company too tough last start and will appreciate the drop back in grade.

Fabric has been racing well this preparation – her jockey/trainer combination of Williams and O’Brien teamed up to win the Melbourne Cup on Vow and Declare twelve months ago.  Wild Vixen stormed down the outside to win first up at Geelong and it looks like she is in for a good preparation.  Music Bay blitzed her rivals the last time she raced at this track.  La Tigersa has finished in the placings at five of her six starts over the 1400m and clearly has a liking to this distance.  Rich Hips ran in the Group 2 Tristarc last start and finished last but her run was better than it reads and she is dropping back in grade here.  Its been a while since Fascino and The Closer won but they both have a good turn of foot and can figure if the breaks go their way.

1. Fascino

Fascino should be peaking here third up.  She was luckless first up before disappointing last start and weakened right out to finish eighth in an easier race.

2. Wild Vixen

This four year old was an impressive winner of the listed Black Opal on Geelong Cup day.  She draws perfectly in barrier seven and with some natural improvement second up is an each way chance in the race.

3. Lyre

Having her fifth start this preparation.  She is dropping back in grade and has been racing with out luck.  She should get a beautiful run for James McDonald and is one of the winning chances in an open race.

4. Fabric

Comes back in trip but is going well this preparation. 2.25 Lengths is the furthest she has been beaten in four starts.  Draws wide in 15 but if Craig Williams can role forward and find some cover close to the speed she can feature in the finish.

5. Music Bay

Another who comes through the Black Opal form line where she ran third.  She was a dominant winner at this track before spelling and the Phillip Stokes stable is going exceptionally well at the moment.

6. My Pendant

The daughter of Pins has been well held in her past two runs and this is harder.  The positives for her are the booking of Jamie Kah and a return to her home track where she has won two of eight.

7. Delectation Girl

This seven year old mare is yet to win over the 1400m.  Would prefer to see her first up.

8. Into the Abyss

She has been okay in her two Melbourne runs this preparation.  Not out of it.

9. La Tigeresa

An honest mare who has finished in the placings at three of her last four starts.  Think she struggles to win at this level but consider for multiples.

10.  Parmie

Parmie is drawn to get a soft run here for Damian Lane.  She is an honest type but it has been a while since she has won.  Another to consider for the multiples.

11. Goldifox

The Derby winning jockey Lachlan King takes over the reigns on Goldifox.  Liked her win at Bendigo three starts ago and she wasnt beaten far in the Black Opal.

12. Thousand Wishes

Another who has been racing well with out winning.  Think she will struggle to win at Group 3 level but if she gets the breaks at the right time could get into a place late.

13. The Closer

Not beaten far in the Group 2 Tristarc a fort night ago.  We have seen her be unlucky from an inside gate already this preparation and it looms as a possibility here drawing the pole.  She is yet to fire in five previous attempts at Flemington which is another concern.

14. Rich Hips

Liked her win two starts back at Caulfield and that race rated quite well.  Finished eight of eight last time at Group two level but was beaten less than three lengths.  She draws perfectly in barrier eight and can unleash a big finish on her day.

15. Cordilla

Unlike many of these this mare has a strong winning strike rate (8-4-0-2).  She never saw daylight at Flemington two starts ago and then easily accounted for her rivals at Cranbourne.  Another who looks perfectly drawn in barrier 9.  She has a fantastic winning chance.

The following are the top 4 selections for this years race.

Jo’s Tips	Lewis’ Tips
3. Lyre	15. Cordilla
15. Cordilla	3. Lyre
5. Music Bay	5. Music Bay
2. Wild Vixen	2. Wild Vixen

Group 1 Melbourne Cup 2020 (Flemington 3200m)

Group 3 Maribyrnong Plate 2020 (Flemington 1000m)