One of Australia’s oldest races, the Australian Cup, is the Group 1 feature on Saturday’s 10-race program at Flemington.
The $3 million staying test has attracted a handful of the autumn’s most notable horses, including last-start All-Star Mile winner Pride Of Jenni, multiple Group 1 winner Mr Brightside, and Kiwi raider, Legarto.
Five races are of black type with the track rated a Good 4 and the rail in the true position.
Like always, we’ve run the rule over the entire meeting and offer our thoughts in our 2024 Australian Cup Day Preview below.
Race 1 – 12:15PM Lexus Melbourne Cup Tour Handicap (1100 METRES)
Lempicka picked up well to win the Gold Comet second-up at Caulfield a couple of weeks ago, a much-improved effort from the mare after failing to go a yard fresh in the Oakleigh Plate.
The steer from Blaike McDougall was 10/10 on the day, tucking in along the rail before shifting across heels to strike down the middle of the straight.
She’s always been a good horse third-up, and given her wins tend to come in bunches, I think she’s a nice price if she gets the right run from out wide.
Suggested Bet: No. 2 Lempicka
Race 2 – 12:45PM Vale John Russell (1100 METRES)
Not a race I’m keen to dive into, but it does look as though Midtown Boss is the safest option based on recent form.
His latest efforts since resuming in January have been solid, placing in three straight runs across Caulfield and The Valley.
He bumped into a good horse a few weeks ago in Johnny Rocker, who has since gone on to give Imperatriz a real challenge in last Saturday’s William Reid Stakes.
Returning to Flemington is a big tick in the right box, providing he can get back from the wide gate and run his usual race off the speed.
Suggested Bet: No. 3 Midtown Boss
Race 3 – 1:20PM Furphy Mile (1600 METRES)
Arran Bay rates a live chance back over his preferred trip where he’s won twice before.
Phillip Stokes’ gelding was a strong winner up on the speed two back over 1400m here at Headquarters, returning a fortnight later over the mile at Caulfield where he weakened late to finish two lengths off behind First Immortal.
Like others, getting back to Flemington is ideal, particularly with Daniel Stackhouse returning to the saddle carrying just 54kg.
Suggested Bet: No. 7 Arran Bay
Race 4 – 1:55PM TBV Thoroughbred Breeders Stakes (1200 METRES)
Ameena gave a sight in just her second start on the Heath track at Caulfield two weeks ago, leading for most of the journey where she found something extra in the finish to draw two lengths clear.
The Freedman-trained filly was eased up through the line under Mark Zahra, a run that told she’ll handle 1200m now with fitness and conditioning on her side.
She’s drawn to get the gun ride with Zahra sticking and looks capable of handling this rise to Saturday level now.
Suggested Bet: No. 4 Ameena
Race 5 – 2:30PM ATA/Bob Hoysted Handicap (1000 METRES)
What You Need is a progressive four-year-old for Mick Price and Michael Kent Jr hoping to maintain his unbeaten record.
The Supido entire has been off the scene for just over a year now, last seen winning a Stakes race here at Flemington with a sweeping run down the outside.
There’s definite risk involved with no trial leading in, but his work at the jump outs has been solid over the last few weeks. If he gets the right run from the inside gate, he’s got enough talent to win with some smart horses engaged.
Suggested Bet: No. 7 What You Need
Race 6 – 3:05PM Rubaroc Grand Handicap Classic (2000 METRES)
Sea What I See is the hot mare at the moment out of the Danny O’Brien yard.
Only lightly-raced for a four-year-old, she’s put together a tidy hat-trick of wins this time in work, the latest coming on the Heath track at Caulfield where she got her nose in front approaching the final furlong to draw clear.
It’s doubtful 2000m tests here off that run, especially if she gets another easy time out front on the speed.
Suggested Bet: No. 12 Sea What I See
Race 7 – 3:40PM Sunlight Classic (1100 METRES)
Expecting some improvement from I Am Unstoppable second-up in what is also his first run under Mark Zahra.
The colt by I Am Invincible was found to have a respiratory problem following his run in the Lightning Stakes first-up, which explains him finishing over four lengths off Imperatriz in the small field of eight.
Rewind back to the spring though, and you’ll find his form reads rather well.
A runner-up to Ozzmosis in the Coolmore is the standout, while he also finished within half a length of recent Newmarket Handicap winner Cylinder first-up.
Providing he’s pulled up okay, we should see him back to his best.
Suggested Bet: No. 2 I Am Unstoppable
Race 8 – 4:15PM TAB Australian Cup (2000 METRES)
Quite keen on Atishu here in a race that she’s basically had in her sights since winning the Champions Stakes during the spring.
Chris Waller’s mare has had her runs spaced this prep, failing to fire a shot from a long way back in the Orr first-up, before returning three weeks later in the Blamey where she was a strong winner through the line.
Her recent trial wasn’t much chop, but that’s typically been the case for her.
Off a good gap between starts and Blake Shinn still engaged, I think she gives this a real shake at a good price.
Suggested Bet: No. 8 Atishu
Race 9 – 4:55PM Lexus Roy Higgins (2600 METRES)
Dunkel is a Group 1 winning stayer that has to be taken seriously out to 2600m for the first time.
Patrick Payne’s four-year-old had his chance at a hat-trick denied in the Pakenham Cup last time out, finishing down the order after losing a place and struggling with the tempo early on.
His previous win at Caulfield was good though ahead of Mankayan, while he still has room for improvement with his runs spaced this prep.
Whether he’s afforded enough running room along the rail is the query, but in an open race full of chances, he looks a safe enough bet to find the money if Billy Egan can find cover just off the pace.
Suggested Bet: No. 3 Dunkel
Race 10 – 5:35PM HKJC x World Pool Handicap (1400 METRES)
Rheinberg should push forward from the wide barrier and prove tough to run down over his pet trip.
His effort first-up over much shorter at Ballarat was good, only nabbed late after getting a bit fractious at the gates before jump.
This is his first look at Headquarters, but he gets an in-form apprentice in the saddle who should hopefully ride him aggressively up on the speed.
Suggested Bet: No. 2 Rheinberg
