Numerologist Max Coppa reveals which horses have lucky numbers on their side this year!

Working it out

The following list shows the numbers that each letter corresponds with. To calculate a horse's numerology, add together all of the numbers and reduce them to a single digit. This single digit reveals the character of the horse's name.

A, J, S = 1
B, K, T = 2
C, L, U = 3
D, M, V = 4
E, N, W = 5
F, O, X = 6
G, P, Y = 7
H, Q, Z = 8
I, R = 9

Example:

S E P T I M U S
1+5+7+2+9+4+3+1 = 32 = 3 + 2 = 5

M E L B O U R N E C U P
4+5+3+2+6+3+9+5+5+3+3+7 = 55 = 5 + 5 = 10 = 1

What the numbers mean

As you can see, "Melbourne Cup" adds up to a name number 1 — no wonder it's the race that stops the nation! 1 is a powerful day number which represents speed, energy, endurance and attention-grabbing headlines. This is the race that guarantees recognition, fame and fortune.

This year, the race is being run on 4/11/2008 (4 + 1 + 1 + 2 + 0 + 0 + 8 = 16 = 1 + 6 = 7) which adds up to a 7. This means that this year the race may be a little unpredictable as could the weather! Don't be surprised if there are late scratchings, upsets or even injuries on the day.

Some interesting facts are that the total prize money on the day is $5.65M which adds up to a 7 — just like the day the Melbourne Cup is being run. This reinforces that this day is certainly one of chance. The race is run over 3,200 meters which adds up to a 5 and there are 23 horses competing which adds up to a 5.

With this in mind, horses whose names and barrier draws add up to a 1, 5 or 7 should fare better on the field than others. Just remember that as this years day number adds up to a 7 which is unpredictable, horses who add up to a 7 could be outside chances and may just upset the bookies.

On this day of days, sometimes form counts for nothing, so even your own birth date numbers may help. The luckiest numbers on this day are 1, 5 and 7 — whether it's the saddle number or name number of the horse you use, these numbers can be downright lucky on the day!

Backing the right horse

So which horses have the luckiest numbers? Here's a guide:

Septimus — 5
Has the goods and will be in the mix at the end. The people's choice could shine!

Mad Rush — 3
Catches my eye and looks the part. Odds are fair and will give it a good nudge.

Nom Du Jeu — 4
Has the strength and staying power if he's handled right (good jockey). Could figure well, especially if it gets a good barrier draw. One of my picks!

Bauer — 2
Not too excited about this horse. Good conditions or a softer track may help his chances.

Littorio — 1
May just have the goods here and is worth a bet. Lots of strength and character and one of my picks!

Profound Beauty — 3
Has some merit and is in the top betting. People will like this horse and it stands out.

Honolulu — 1
I think its name sells this horse. Don't put too much money on it — better to save the money for a trip to Hawaii instead!

Master O'Reilly — 1
Sounds good but has not delivered and may not on the day. No faint hearts here, bet at your own risk!

Viewed — 5
Has a little luck in the name but still doesn't sound like a winner.

Zipping — 7
Could be a surprise package in this race. A 7 horse on a 7 day — this is one to watch and one of my picks!

Barbaricus — 4
A strong horse with courage, maybe not this time around, but what the heck...

C'est La Guerre — 8
Looks good, has the strength to match up with the best. Put a dollar on this one, you've got nothing to lose.

Moatize — 8
Is one for the people who use a dart board to pick their horse — an outside chance.

Ice Chariot — 1
An outside chance that may improve with a good barrier draw, but not my choice.

Allessandro Volta — 1
May surprise on a wet track or could get a placing.

Gallopin — 5
Has potential so don't write him off. Good for a place.

Boundless — 3
Long odds, a true gamble.

Yellowstone — 3
The ladies might like the name but its got long odds.

Guyno — 1
Is an outside roughie and may just make up the numbers.

Zarita — 3
The name sounds good and has lucky numbers making up the name... but that's about all.

Newport — 3
If you like to bet on roughies, put a dollar on this one... I said a dollar!

Prize Lady — 8
Pretty name but I can't see it winning.

Varevees — 7
An unknown quantity. Got a bad barrier draw but could end up surprising us all.

Red Lord — 4
A hard worker and may be pushing it.

A further step

To increase your chances of picking the winner, I would recommend that you add the number 7 which represents the day energy of the race plus the barrier draw number (when known) to each horse's name numbers and then break that number down to a single digit.

For example:

Septimus: 5 (name number) + 7 (day energy number) + 10 (barrier draw number) = 13 = 1 + 3 = 4.

In this instance, this horse would have strength and is likely to be a solid racer on the day.

Max's final word:

There are a lot of good horses running in this year's Cup and it will be a very tight field. My tips for the day are Nom Du Jeu, Profound Beauty and Mad Rush. However, I will also be putting a little extra on Zipping as it is likely to be a place-getter!

Max Coppa is a leading authority on palmistry, numerology and dream interpretation. For more information on palmestry and numerology you can visit Max at www.maxcoppa.com

Max Coppa is the author of 'Numerology — Working With Numbers'.
Soon to be released: Max's latest book 'Does Your Love Life Add Up?'