Long time friend of In The Cove and a 50+ year Lane Cove Resident
Max Hitchins (aka MelbourneCupMax) has written his last “How To Pick The Winner Of The Melbourne Cup” Annual eBook.
He intends to retire after the 2023 Cup.
A self confessed devotee of the Melbourne Cup, the media christened him MelbourneCupMax because he had memorised the 1st, 2nd and 3rd place-getters for the last 100 Melbourne Cups.
Since 1987 (long before the Internet era exploded on the scene) Max has been providing a service to subscribers interested in the Melbourne Cup. Max’s original format was what he called his ‘six horse field’ system. His plan was to reduce the field from 24 horses down to the 6 horses he considered had the best chance of winning the Melbourne Cup that year. Then, he was spending around 200 hours a year on Cup research. (Now, with the influx of the International horses Max spends in excess of 400 hours each year in Melbourne Cup research).
Max’s recommendation was to have a small each-way bet on each of these six horses and you should then be able to say “I backed the winner of the Melbourne Cup!”
Throughout the year Max follows national and international races, horses, researches articles, talk to owners, trainers and media experts. He studies breeding, watches live races and videos from all around the world. He does everything other than ‘talk’ to the horses!
Max has had enormous success with this ‘six horse field’ system. It has ‘worked’ for 27 out of the last 35 years. (Not perfect…but not bad!)
Max says it was easier task in the ‘earlier years’ when the only ‘International’ horses in the field were from New Zealand.
‘Cup of coffee’ bet (a small bet) system
In 2020 Max introduced his ‘cup of coffee’ bet system to his subscribers. Max’s system was to identify horses who were being quoted, during the year, at high prices in the Melbourne Cup Futures Markets. His research helped him ascertain the horses most likely to run in the upcoming Melbourne Cup. As well, he assessed if they had a reasonable chance of winning or at least running a place in the upcoming Melbourne Cup.
Those who followed his ‘cup of coffee’ bet system in 2020 would have backed the Cup winner Twilight Payment at $67.
If you followed his ‘cup of coffee’ bet system in 2021 you would have backed the 2nd place getter Incentivise at $51 and 3rd place getter Spanish Mission at $31.
As well, if you backed Incentivise with Sportsbet you would have had a HUGE win. Sportsbet ‘paid out’ on Incentivise two weeks before the Cup was run!
They regarded Incentivise as a ‘certainty’ to win 2021 Melbourne Cup. He was the shortest priced favourite since Phar Lap in 1930.
If you followed Max’s advice in having ‘cup of coffee’ bets during 2022, you would have backed Emissary (2rd in the 2022 Cup) at $101 and High Emocean (3rd in the 2022 Cup) at $151.
2023 ‘cup of coffee’ bet
On the 24th of March 2023 Max wrote to his database suggesting a ‘cup of coffee’ bet on Goldman at $41 in the Futures market just prior to him running in the Roy Higgins at Flemington. The winner automatically qualified for the 2023 Melbourne Cup. Goldman won easily and was promoted to 2nd favourite in the Melbourne Cup at $10.00 behind the then Cup favourite White Marlin.
On the 12th of May 2023 Max again wrote to his database suggesting a ‘cup of coffee’ bet on Lunar Flare at $67 just prior to the running of the Andrew Ramsden Stakes at Flemington. Again the winner automatically qualifies for the 2023 Melbourne Cup. Lunar Flare easily beat the (then) Melbourne Cup favourite White Marlin and replaced him as the new 2023 Cup favourite.See the race: https:// www.youtube.com/watch?v=iPg8NZA-iSw
On Saturday 26th of August prior to the running of The Ebor Handicap in York UK Max wrote to his database saying: “It will be a great race to watch. It is a big field and it will be a hard race to win. The winner gets an (automatic entry via a ‘Golden Ticket from VRC) into the 2023 Melbourne Cup.
“Absurde ran a ‘very impressive’ 2nd to Vauban in his 7 length runaway win at Ascot on 20/6 (Scriptwriter was 7th).
Max went searching and noticed SportsBet have Absurde at $101 in their Melbourne Cup Futures Market.
After the running of ‘The Ebor’, on Sunday 27th August 2023, Max again wrote his database: “WOW! What a race and what a win for ‘cup of coffee’ club members and ABSURDE in The Ebor at York in the UK. It is a really interesting race to watch. Note: Absurde began from the widest (worst) barrier and was three wide most of the way!
Note: With two weeks to go to Cup Day Absurde is now $17 and Lunar Flare is $13 in the Melbourne Cup Futures markets.
As a teenager Max worked with his Dad who was a Bookmaker in the North Western town of Moree. Max credits his Dad for his Melbourne Cup skills. Max tells he remembers his Dad’s two favourite quotes: “Time spent in reconnaissance is seldom wasted” and “When some people go to the races it’s – off goes their head and on goes a pumpkin.”
How to Get on Board with Max’s System
Max has two Melbourne Cup eBooks for sale on his website PickTheCupWinner.com.au.
The books are:
How To Pick The Winner Of The Melbourne Cup (A complete summary of all lead-up races to the Melbourne Cup plus access to Max’s tips for the Cup on Melbourne Cup Day.)
Cost $10.95
How Long Has Max Lived in the Lane Cove Area?
Max loves Lane Cove because it is “so safe and friendly.’
Max moved from Moree in 1972 and purchased a home in Lane Cove. Although Max has not moved since he purchased his home in Lane Cove, his section of the suburb from around 2000 was renamed Riverview.
What Does Max Like About Living in Lane Cove?
He loves going to the Cafe’s, Coffee Shops and Restaurants in Lane Cove. He enjoys running into people he knows and having a chat. He also loves to welcome new people to the area. Max’s kids grew up in Lane Cove.
If you’re like ITC and have a flutter once a year, then you might want to get on board with Max and his system. Gamble responsibly, have a small flutter and remember there is never a 100% chance of picking a winner of any horse race.
Family in Lane Cove
Two of Max and Robe’s daughters, Sallee and Alysia, have a business in Lane Cove called Recipes in a Jar – check out their website they have a range of products that are beautifully presented in a presentation box.
Max is an Author, Poet, Pilot, Pianist, Publican, Melbourne Cup Magician and Raconteur.
Max’s Ode to Melbourne Cup In the Cove
It’s that time of year for the girls to dress up Of course, we all know, it’s time for the Cup Horses and jockeys from all ‘round the place
Are coming together to be face-to-face.
A horse named Absurde, strange name indeed Though, they say, he’s a very fast steed Gold Trip is back for another Cup try
This horse, in ‘The Turnbull’…WOW he did fly.
Lunar Flare’s last run…sure gave the nod
I think she will be there…in the finishing pod Chris Waller’s horses Guardi and Soulcombe Be there at the finish…and explode like bombs.
Zac Purton, Ryan Moore…could fight it out Jaymac and Jamie…are up for the bout Holly’s horse is named Future History This Irish lassie…her form is no mystery.
The favourite Vauban has the very best form An amazing horse..he runs like a storm His Irish trainer..who’s first name is Willy If Vauban fails….he’s sure to feel silly.
For, losing trainers go down…like a rocket Punters, you know, talk through their pocket One thing is for sure…no flamin fear We’ll be back again…same time next year!
So my best advice – and YES it’s for free
Please, please…please bet – RESPONSIBLE – THAT’S RIGHT JUST A SMALL BET TO SAY YOU PICKED THE WINNER OF THE CUP
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