AU - Flemington - Race 5

A Melbourne Cup ticket is on the line here but found it very hard to split NEARCO FROD (3) and LITZDEEL (2) who head the betting. Sided with Nearco Frod who is just a winning machine, scoring in his past four by racing on speed and showing a nice turn of foot. It's simple stuff but it wins races, especially in these staying contests where they tend to go quite slowly. LITZDEEL has been very good in two runs back over shorter and looks primed third up. Does have to rise in the weights and give male counterparts a few kilos but will stay strongly and try to apply the pressure on the danger. JENNIVAMOOSE (4) and SHOCKLETZ (6) were both very good closers in a 1 ¼m race at Caulfield last time, both are suited to this trip now and there's little between them but Jenni's run was slightly better last time. THINK GIANT (9) has been okay his past couple without threatening, better ground and a quicker tempo could suit.