FEATURE PREVIEWS: AUSTRALIAN CUP

Get your 2024 Australian Cup tips and in-depth analysis from Dean Evans from Winning Edge Investments. The Australian Cup is a G1 WFA won in recent years by Homesman, Fifty Stars, Harlem, Humidor, Preferment, Awesome Rock, Fiorente & Manighar.

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Dean Evans

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AUSTRALIAN CUP TIPS

G1 WFA won in recent years by Cascadian, Duias, Homesman, Fifty Stars, Harlem, Humidor, Preferment, Awesome Rock, Fiorente & Manighar.

Historical Profiling (last 12 years)

1^st up (0/12), 2nd up (3/52), 3rd up (9/65), 4^th up+ (1/23)
7-day break (2/11), 14-day break (11/105), 17-400 day break (0/36)
Last Start Distance 1400 (0/12), 1600 (4/30), 1800 (9/80), 1900+ (0/29)
Settled 1st-6th (6), Settled 9th-12th (5)
3yo (1/6), 4yo (4/33), 5yo (2/39), 6yo (3/33), 7yo (2/24), 8yo+ (1/17)
Colt (0/4), Gelding (7/79), Entire (5/48), Mare (1/21)
Last Start Race Class G1 (2/29), G2 (10/93), SC (1/2), Other (0/28)
Last Start Weight WFA (11/100), SW/SWP (2/24), Other (0/28)
Last Start Track Caulfield (9/101), Flemington (1/24), MV (1/3), Rand (2/8), Other (0/16)
2^nd Last Start Race Class G1-G3 (13/134), Other (0/18)
SP $1.90 (1), $4 to $7 (7), $13 (1), $26-$61 (4)
Weight 54.5kg (1/6), 57.0kg (1/21), 0kg (11/120)
Last Start Caulfield G2 (9)
Hayes Stable has won 4 of last 12 editions

Introduction of the All Star Mile has changed the leadup of this race. All Star Mile, Chipping Norton and Peter Young Stakes the key leadups.

SPEED MAP

Pride Of Jenni expected to lead comfortably as standard.
Young Werther and Legarto doing the chasing.
Dom To Shoot, Vow And Declare and Mr Brightside midfield.
Esto Feny, Atishu & Cascadian out the back.

AUSTRALIAN CUP | KEY RUNNERS

1. Mr Brightside – 6-time G1 winner plus an All Star Mile. Ran 2nd in the All Star Mile last start. Has run ist or 2nd at past 12 starts, racing at the highest level.

2. Cascadian – Flew home for 3rd last start in the All Star Mile, running better closing sectionals than Mr Brightside. Won this race last start. Big chance.

3. Vow And Declare – Ran a good 2nd first up in the Peter Young. Ran 2nd in the Caulfield Stakes last prep behind Alligator Blood when they ran 21L above par for the first half. Hard run 2000m here will suit him.

5. Young Werther – Always seems to bob up in these Flemington 2000m features. Can place.

7. Pride Of Jenni – Has run them into the ground leading and winning the Empire Rose, Cantala Stakes and All Star Mile in past 4 starts. 2000m is the query.

8. Atishu – Ran 2nd in the Empire Rose then won the Mackinnon Stakes last prep. Won the Blamey Stakes last start. Has been set for this.

9. Legarto – Won the Australian Guineas this time last year. Has run over 2000m at G1 level past two starts in NZ for a win and close 2nd.

SUMMARY

Cascadian won this race last year and his sectionals in the All Star Mile were excellent. Is flying and can knock off the two favourites.

Vow And Declare is a stayer who will appreciate the hard run 2000m here. Can surprise at odds.

Mr Brightside is Mr Consistent and has to be respected here.

Risking Pride Of Jenni at the 2000m, and risking Atishu & Legarto who are both talented mares but meet a strong field here and mares don’t have a great record in the race.