Racelab’s Matt Collum has taken a close look at the top international runners coming to feature Spring Carnival races in Australia using their ratings system.
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Al Riffa (FR) 6yo H | 16-5:5:1
Potential target race: Melbourne Cup 3200m
Required rating: 114.5
Best Racelab Rating: 114 Irish St. Leger Curragh 2816m 1st 4L
In the Gold Cup he stayed on steadily through the final furlong but lacked the acceleration of the leading stayers, ultimately finishing 4th with a rating of 102. The key takeaway from the performance was his ability to see out the trip strongly. After missing the start and settling towards the rear of the field, Al Riffa continued to make ground late while a number of his rivals were feeling the effects of the demanding staying test. Although he was never a genuine winning threat, the run confirmed his credentials as a top-class Group 1 stayer and suggests he can be highly competitive in major staying races. With a likely weight of 59kg he will have a big task ahead in the Melbourne Cup which requires a new career peak.
AL RIFFA is currently $15 for the Melbourne Cup with TAB
Carmers (IRE) 4yo C | 8-4:1:0
Potential target race: Melbourne Cup 3200m
Required rating: 109.5
Best Racelab Rating: 108 His Majesty’s Plate Down Royal 3218m 1st 2L
He finished around midfield in the Gold Cup, just behind the main second-string stayers, well behind Scandinavia and Trawlerman. It seemed that the distance and class was a big test for him as a lightly raced 4yo. The key positive is that he finished the race off properly in a proper Gold Cup, which supports his Melbourne Cup profile as a horse who will stay strongly over 3200m — even if he’s not yet in the absolute A-grade staying bracket. Has to improve further to loom as a genuine threat. If he progresses to Group 1 staying level, a handicap around 54.5kg could ultimately look very attractive.
CARMERS is currently $51 for the Melbourne Cup with TAB
Map Of Stars (GB) 5yo G | 13-6:2:1
Potential target race: Caulfield Cup 2400m
Required rating: 108.5
Best Racelab Rating: 110 Prix Ganay Longchamp 2100m 2nd 0.25L
Map of Stars won the Wolferton and gets a ticket to the Caulfield Cup. Settling near the tail of the 16-runner field, he travelled strongly throughout before unleashing a powerful finishing burst over the final 400 metres. He swept into contention late, took control inside the final 100 metres and went on to score by half a length. He’s been allotted 55kg which places him in a similar weight range to many recent Caulfield Cup contenders and winners. He’s run the required rating twice and can certainly give this a shake.
Limestone (IRE) 3yo C | 6-4:1:1
Potential target race: Melbourne Cup 3200m
Required rating: 105.0
Best Racelab Rating: 104.0 Queen’s Vase Ascot 2847m 1st 0.05L
Limestone delivered a tough and progressive staying performance to land the 2026 Queen’s Vase at Royal Ascot. He travelled comfortably throughout the early and middle stages before being asked to improve on the turn. He made steady headway under pressure, building momentum through the final 400 metres and continuing to lengthen strongly to the line. In a tight finish, he got on top in the closing strides to edge out Del Maro, with Ranga Tang holding third after having led for much of the race. The performance underlined his stamina and determination, particularly at 2800 metres, and marked him down as a genuine staying prospect with further improvement likely over longer distances. At only his sixth race start, Limestone’s performance rating of 104 puts him right in the mix for the Melbourne Cup weighted very nicely as a Northern Hemisphere 3yo for Joseph O’Brien.
