Small each-way bet worthwhile on Ibicenco for Melbourne Cup

The Geelong Cup is arguably the most notable trial for the Melbourne Cup, with the last two horses to attempt this lucrative double being successful.

Dunaden did the double in 2010 and then Americain achieved the same feat the following year. Unfortunately, Gatewood was prevented from keeping the run going 12 months ago as he was not weighted high enough to secure a spot in the final Melbourne Cup field.

This is an issue that may also hamper Ibicenco this year, who was 42nd in the ballot order for the Flemington showpiece before victory in the Geelong Cup.

It is now at the mercy of the handicapper over whether he will be pushed up the weights to qualify to run in the Melbourne Cup, as there is the capacity to issue Ibicenco with a penalty for the success.

A penalty of at least 3lb is likely to be needed to give Ibicenco any chance of taking part, with only 24 runners permitted to run in the Melbourne Cup.

Ibicenco’s trainer Peter Moody has put forward a strong case on why his horse should receive a weight hike, stating that he is a genuine 2m contender and he is entitled to improve for the Geelong Cup victory, as the race was contested on softer ground than ideal.

The fact he did not receive much cover throughout the Geelong Cup also makes the victory even more laudable.

Ibicenco is currently 33/1 to win the Melbourne Cup and it may be worth keeping bets small, simply because of the uncertainly over his appearance.

Furthermore, of the last five horses to attempt the Geelong Cup and Melbourne Cup double, aside from the two winners already mentioned, another pair have both finished second.

All Odds and Markets are correct as of the date of publishing.

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