Timeform Review: Melbourne Cup week with Adam Blencowe

Santa presented the best

Another Melbourne Cup Carnival is in the books. 507 runners (up 20 from last year) posted a median level of performance of 96.25 on Timeform 's scale - slightly up on both recent averages and last year's median performance value of 95.

That slight bounce in quality came on the back of more depth at the top end. 31 horses ran to a rating of 115 or higher in 2018 after just 24 could achieve as much in a 2017 carnival that was below recent averages on that score.

Seven horses ran to 120 or above which was identical to 2017 and the highest rating of the week also mirrored last year, the Sprint Classic winner Santa Ana Lane producing the best performance across the four days rated 126.

A rating of 126 marks Santa Ana Lane as the equal of Redzel and Trapeze Artist at the top of the Australian sprinting ranks at present.

The common view seems to be that the Australian sprinting ranks are lacking for real star power at the moment and this assessment falls into line with that to an extent.

Three tied at the top (Pierata sits just a pound away at 125) says things are very even at present but the VRC Sprint Classic still took more winning than any other race across the biggest week of the year - even, yes but weak, no.

Click here for the full Cup week Timeform Review