There are bigger race days on the Aussie calendar but when it comes to sharing the spotlight across more than one venue, Saturday’s double-bill of the Australian Cup/Newmarket Handicap and the Coolmore Classic is hard to top. Firstly, a quick word about last Saturday’s Australian Guineas meeting at Flemington. The Victoria Racing Club are always reluctant to admit to the presence of track bias, it was quickly apparent that the place to be was hard up against the running rail. For races down the Straight Six, the best going has also trended from the centre of the track to the inside. We encourage punters to watch the first two or three races carefully for any indication of bias before dipping into their bankroll. Likewise in Sydney, where the Rosehill track is unlikely to improve much beyond a heavy (8) for Saturday’s card.
Williams Camp Carry Hot Hand
For the first century that it was run, the Australian Cup was a longer race than the Melbourne Cup. But since WWII, the distance has been gradually shaved back – from 2.25 miles (3637m) to 1.75 miles and finally today’s 2000m since 1973. It has also shifted back and forth from handicap to weight-for-age conditions, with the latter in place since 1987. This year’s G1 $1.5 million TAB Australian Cup is quality top to bottom, with Humidor holding narrow favouritism with Luxbet ($4.80) ahead of 2016 Caulfield Cup winner Jameka ($5.00) in the 12-horse field. There are at least six legitimate winning hopes but we’ve settled on the runner that has the biggest upside to improve. Team Williams’ 7yo entire #3 The United States ($7.50 with William Hill) is a bulletproof weight-for-age performer. He was third first-up in the Peter Young Stakes (1800m) at Caulfield two weeks ago and has finished in the first two in his four runs second-up.
Sprint Title Up for Grabs
Since 1874, Australasia’s greatest sprinters have raced over the six furlongs (or 1200m) at Flemington to decide the nation’s unofficial sprint champion. The list of victors covers the history of the sport – from Wakeful (1901), Ajax (1938) and Bernborough (1946) to Schillaci (1992), Takeover Target (2006), Miss Andretti (2007), Scenic Blast (2009), Black Caviar (2011) and Lankan Rupee (2014). Only 13 of the 24 starting slots have been filled, but that hasn’t made it any easier for punters with Spieth ($3.90 on bet365) heading a wide-open market. We suspect that the inside will be the place to be, making it tough for #1 Terravista and #9 Star Turn. It’s tough to split the favourite and Sheidel so take the price ($8.50 with Ladbrokes) on the latter. She’s ridiculously consistent (27:15-5-1) and did it pretty easily in the G1 Oakleigh Plate (1100m) at Caulfield on February 25). #5 Voodoo Lad and #8 Tivaci (both $26 with Luxbet) are blowout chances.
Huge Field Chase Coolmore Crown
The fillies and mares take centre stage at Rosehill Gardens for this relative newcomer to the Australian racing calendar. First run in 1973 as the TAD Kennedy Stakes, this $600,000 race over 1500m has been under the Coolmore banner for more than two decades. The set weights’ conditions make it a popular race with owners and trainers and a massive field of 19 have accepted this year. And just to make it a little tougher, the track is likely to be in the heavy range while favourite #14 Omei Sword ($3.90 with Unibet) drew the outside gate! Only two of the past 13 winners have started as favourite. Through a fairly brutal process of elimination, we’ve settled on the proven wet/black type form of Kiwi raider La Bella Diosa ($10 with Sportsbet). She’s won five of seven career starts and did it easy in the G2 Surround (1400m) at Randwick two weeks ago.
