Every year I spend hours scanning the form chart, reading articles and studying up on each one of the horses in the field. How the horse has performed recently, the history of the jockey, previous form at Flemington, whether the horse had a good night sleep - all key to making my picks.
It's obviously never paid off. This year I'm just picking a name I like. Saves time.
Don't take time picking
During that research time at some point I'll consider putting money on every horse in the field. So when the winner crosses the line I'm left thinking 'Cross Counter, yes I was going to put money on that one'. Never fails. Just pick one and stick with it.
Don't give advice
Since I'm the 'sports' guy in the office I often get asked for advice on Cup day. Due to my losing streak I'm aware of leading people in the wrong direction but a few years ago a couple of colleagues pushed me for a pick. I said Americain. They went with my tip and the horse went onto win. I of course didn't put money on Americain.
At least consider the favourite
I never pick the favourite because I consider it being the 'easy' option. But a favourite horse has won the Melbourne Cup 32 times out of 157 races, that's 22 percent of the time. 73 Cup favourites have finished in the first three placings. I'd take one win every five years over none in 18 years....and we've had just one favourite has won in the last 13 years. We're due for a favourite to win.
Don't pick the favourite
Or look at it this way...four out of five times that favourite doesn't win.
Don't go against history
In 2004 and 2005 I didn't pick Makybe Diva because I have that theory that's it's such a massive race that surely no horse can win it twice in a row, or even three times straight. I didn't back a back-to-back to go back-to-back-to-back. I was wrong.
Bet on the right race
I'm not that inept but it happens. Remember it's meeting seven, race seven.
Right horse, wrong bet
The only time I do pick one of the top three horses, it just happens to be in a trifecta where the two other horses finish well off the pace. Either box or avoid all trifectas.
Don't read Twitter
Everyone in the office is a racing expert on Melbourne Cup day and that continues onto Twitter where a large percentage of the people I follow feel the need to declare who they are backing. It fills my Twitter feed with a wide range of bets that sway my opinion.
Avoid barrier 18
Here's an actual fact you can take away. Barrier 18 has never produced a Melbourne Cup winner. So avoid The Chosen One.
...and don't pick Youngstar
Because I have $5 for a win. It took me two seconds to decide, and I'm sticking with it. If I'm true to form the horse will lead for a large chunk of the race before finishing at the back of the pack. That's a dead cert.
