IT’S Melbourne Cup day — and we’re providing a Carlton view of it all.
We’re not going to pretend to know too much about the Melbourne Cup, but it’s not going to stop us anyway.
Here’s a not-very-helpful Navy Blue guide to the race that stops a nation.
No.1 — Crosswell Counter
Cross Counter
Last year’s Melbourne Cup winner is hoping to match Brent Crosswell’s feat of two Carlton premierships.
No.2 — Laurie Kerr De Glace
Mer De Glace
Laurie was a former sprint champion before a Hall of Fame career at Carlton. Caulfield Cup winner Laurie Kerr De Glace (Mer De Glace) is of a similar ilk.
No.3 — Setanta of Reality
Master of Reality
We’re almost sure that this Irish horse was named after Setanta’s five-goal haul against Collingwood in 2010.
No.4 — Mirage Lancer
Mirage Dancer
You’d want to be on Mirage Lancer now.
Koutoufides. Parkin. Silvagni. Whitnall.
— Carlton FC (@CarltonFC) September 22, 2019
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No.5 — Southern Barnaby France
Southern France
Barnaby could run all day in the No.11 guernsey: expect the same out of barrier No.14.
No.6 — Hunting (Trent) Sporn
Hunting Horn
A Rising Star nominee in 2003, this horse is much-travelled and as resilient as they come.
No.7 — La Trobe University
Latrobe
This horse could run from Flemington to Bundoora.
No.8 — Bosust-ajeer
Mustajeer
Even if this horse was to win the Melbourne Cup, it still wouldn’t be as impressive as winning Goal and Mark of the Year in the same season.
No.9 — RostroDorotich
Rostropovich
‘Dora’ got revenge when he won a premiership in his second season after just missing out in his first. RostroDorotich (Rostropovich) doesn’t need to look far for inspiration.
No.10 — TwiWright Payment
Twilight Payment
This unassuming horse may very well ‘do a Matthew Wright’ and surprise more than a few in the Cup.
No.11 — Finche-bar O’Dwyer
Finche
Named after Carlton’s next cult hero in the No.38. Go on, Finche-bar.
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— Carlton FC (@CarltonFC) November 4, 2019
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No.12 — Prince of Aaron Joseph
Prince of Arran
This horse will do whatever job is asked of it — including a run-with role on Gary Ablett.
No.13 — Tay-mond Tusk
Raymond Tusk
Just like Carlton’s No.7, expect this horse to lead from the front, show some aggression and possibly win a third Mark of the Year.
No.14 — (Fraser) Browndraft
Downdraft
For his sake, hopefully Dean Wallis isn’t at Flemington.
No.15 — Wayne Harmes’ Magic Wand
Magic Wand
He makes the boundary line disappear.
No.16 — (Nic) Neufman
Neufbosc
We’re not sure Neufbosc can do the Melbourne Cup-equivalent of kicking four from half back against the reigning premiers.
No.17 — Sound By Blue
Sound
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No.18 — Surprise Baby
Royal Parade had its very own Surprise Baby in July 2019: the great niece of Syd Jackson. Read all about it here.
The princess of Princes Park. #BoundByBlue
— Carlton FC (@CarltonFC) October 24, 2019
No.19 — Simon Minton-Constantinople
Constantinople
He may have success in different colours, but we’ll never forget where Simon Minton-Constantinople came from.
No.20 — Will Paradiso
Il Paradiso
Named after Will Setterfield, and it’s fair enough too: that blind turn against Adelaide was out of this world.
I'm spinning around, move outta my way.
— Carlton FC (@CarltonFC) July 27, 2019
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No.21 — Steel Prince… of York
Steel Prince
Just like the ‘actual’ Prince of York (read: Zac Fisher), this name was also self-imposed.
No.22 — The Chosen One
No changes needed here. It’s a nice touch to name a horse after No.1 draft pick, Sam Walsh.
No. 23 — Dow and Declare
Vow and Declare
If it’s a run anything like that goal against Gold Coast in Round 19, 2018, then Dow and Declare is in with a big chance.
No.24 — Rising Star
Youngstar
Madison Prespakis. Enough said.