‘They've won four now’ - Al Riffa a big Melbourne Cup Contender for Australian Bloodstock Al Riffa is a “big contender” for the Melbourne Cup, according to irishracing.com editor Vincent Finegan. Speaking on irishracing.com’s Irish Angle show this week, the panel discussed Al Riffa’s potential down under after his four-length victory in the Irish St Leger at the Curragh on Sunday. The Joseph O’Brien-charge is now the 7-1 favourite for the Melbourne Cup amid his change of ownership to Australian Bloodstock. Al Riffa’s Leger Price Raised Eyebrows “I thought Al Riffa was brilliant,” explained racing journalist Johnny Ward. “There were a lot of market movers that were a bit surprising at the weekend. “I didn't think Al Riffa would go off at 3-1 because the big thing about the Curragh was the ground was faster than it was supposed to be. “Dermot Weld always talks about stayers with speed but considering his two-year-old form, he looks like a proper, proper stayer with real speed. I thought he was brilliant in the Leger. Vincent Finegan concurred with Ward’s assessment of Al Riffa’s performance. He said: “I thought Al Riffa was awesome. I think he’s a Melbourne Cup contender in a big way now. “Now 7-1, gone into favourite for the Melbourne Cup." McMonagle Impresses Emma Nagle highlighted Dylan Browne McMonagle’s performance in guiding Al Riffa home for a fourth career victory. She said: “I was really impressed at Al Riffa, to be honest. “Just the ride he got from Dylan Browne McMonagle. They win plenty fast, I'd say, but he just sat motionless and weaved his way through the field as if defeat was never in the question, I suppose, and kicked away from them. “He looks like he could be fairly hard to stop in a Melbourne Cup now. “He'll probably have plenty of weight after that performance. “But maybe if the English St Leger winner, Scandinavia, goes down there, it might help him out a bit in that regard. “He was obviously bought by Australians, a couple of weeks before the race, Australian Bloodstock. “They were actually at the Curragh. It was interesting to see their interviews. “They were saying they've won four Melbourne Cups now between themselves and Joseph. Joseph has two and they've won too. “They're a fair force to be reckoned with right going down under I'd say. It'll be exciting to see the buildup for that for him.” Watch The Irish Angle In Full Or Listen On Spotify
