Galileo’s Choice given compliment ahead of Melbourne Cup

Galileo’s Choice has done little wrong in winning both starts since returning from a stint over hurdles and has been backed into 16/1 to secure victory in the Melbourne Cup.

He certainly comes from a yard that knows what it takes to land the richest 2m contest in the world, with Dermot Weld responsible for Vintage Crop in 1993 and Media Puzzle exactly a decade ago.

Galileo’s Choice has showed impressively versatility in his career to date, winning on the Flat over distances ranging from 1m2f to 2m1f, while he was even sent off favourite for the Supreme Novices’ Hurdle at the Cheltenham Festival in March.

The six-year-old may have missed out on securing a major triumph then, but a success in the Melbourne Cup would more than make up for this failure.

His latest victory was in a Group Three at Leopardstown when conceding lumps of weight to Massiyn, who has since run again in the Irish St Leger, when only beaten by a neck.

Meanwhile, although top weights do not have a great track record in the Melbourne Cup, horses allocated 53kg or more have prevailed in six of the last seven years.

Galileo’s Choice has been given just 53.5kg this year, which looks on the light side given his achievements.

Jockey Pat Smullen is certainly optimistic as he bids for a victory at the fifth attempt in the Melbourne Cup, with second on board Vinnie Roe in 2004 his best result to date.

Smullen told At The Races: “I think I’ve got a very good ride in it this year. He’s got in well at the weights and the boss can obviously ready one up for the race so hopefully that will be the case.”

Furthermore, Galileo’s Choice is adaptable in terms of the grounds, so whatever the conditions, he should give a good account of himself.

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