The Kingsford Smith Cup is one of the traditional lead in races for the Stradbroke Handicap and is run over 1300 meters at Eagle Farm racecourse.
The race has had many different names since it’s inaugural running in 1964 but most recently (2004-2016) it was the BTC Cup.
It has been one by many quality horses including Strawberry Road (1983), Falvelon (2000 & 2003), Apache Cat (2008) and Black Caviar (2011).
We have run through every runner and our full 2022 Kingsford Smith Cup Preview can be found below.
1. Private Eye (16)
Had three runs throughout the autumn carnival, all at Group 1 level. The latest of those efforts was a third in the Canterbury Stakes behind Forbidden Love where he finished over four lengths from the winner. He is capable of producing a sharp turn of foot late in his races but the wide barrier will have him in a tricky spot in transit.
2. Laws Of Indices (21)
Finished within a length and a half of Forbidden Love in the Group 1 George Ryder Stakes on the heavy track during the autumn. That was his only placing in five starts this prep and he’ll need a lot of luck from the awkward draw.
3. Ellsberg (12)
Ellsberg has been an incredibly consistent performer throughout his short racing career. He has six wins from 18 career starts and has been unplaced just three times. He was last seen placing in the Group 1 All Aged Stakes and I love the fact that he comes into this race off a freshen up as he has proven he thrives off a break. The question mark is if he is classy enough to win a Group 1 race of this quality.
4. Eleven Eleven (4)
Has never performed well first up from a spell but he was excellent in the Listed Ortensia Stakes at Scone when beaten half a length. Expect plenty of improvement from that effort stepping up in distance. Has drawn perfectly in barrier four but the real heavy track may be a concern.
5. Apache Chase (6)
Finished 13th in the Stradbroke Handicap last year but his trainer suggests he is a far more mature and level-headed individual this time around. Since last winter he ran fourth in the Golden Eagle, dominated The Gateway as the short priced favourite and was very narrowly defeated in the $1 million Magic Millions Cup. He was excellent first up in The Archer in Rockhampton and has drawn perfectly in barrier six. May be better suited in the Stradbroke but he is the best local hope.
6. Wild Planet (19)
The Hawkes trained galloper has proven he is capable of producing a high rating performance but he has been below his best so far this campaign. The wide barrier will not help his chances and he’ll need plenty of luck in running.
7. Rothfire (14)
Was sent out a short priced favourite when resuming in the Group 2 Victory Stakes but failed to salute when finishing fifth. He was a top line juvenile but I’m unsure that he come up as an older horse.
8. Olmedo (3)
Has just four wins from 24 career race starts but has amassed $1.1 million in prizemoney mainly thanks to his win in the French 2000 Guineas in 2018. Produced his best effort in quite some time when finishes second in the Listed Luskin Star at Scone last start but would need to dramatically improve to be a chance here.
9. Signore Fox (11)
Failed to fire earlier in the autumn but it was a much improved effort in the Group 1 Doomben 10,000 two weeks ago where he finished fourth at a big price. The step up in distance suits but he is another that will need to produce a career best performance to be a chance.
10. Sierra Sue (20)
Usually produces her best form in the first couple of starts in a prep but she is six weeks in between runs here. She took out the Group 1 Futurity Stakes earlier this campaign and there is no doubting that her best is good enough. Barrier doesn’t help her chances.
11. September Run (7)
Returned to her best this prep starting out with a close third in the Group 1 Newmarket and her form was rewarded when taking out the William Reid at The Valley at her next start. She comes into this event off the back of another Group 1 placing in the Robert Sangster at Morphettville and she drawn well in barrier seven. This is her first go beyond 1200m and she has never run on a heavy track.
12. Entriviere (17)
Broke through for a maiden Group 1 win in the Railway at Ellerslie back in January and was beaten less than a length at Group 1 level before heading over the ditch. The lightly raced five year old made up a considerable amount of ground late in the Doomben 10,000 and she looks primed for a peak performance in this race. She won her only start at 1300m and has proven she handles the heavy track. Will need luck from the wide barrier and for the pace to be solid in front.
13. Paulele (8)
He has been a fantastic colt for Godolphin with six wins from 15 career starts and has been unplaced just four times. He comes into this assignment with three placings in a row including a narrow second to Mazu in the 10,000. The son of Dawn Approach has his first go at 1300m but I don’t see it being an issue. Proven on all surfaces and drawn well, he ticks all the boxes which can’t be said about a lot of these runners.
14. Isotope (13)
Six wins from 13 career race starts including the $1 million Magic Millions Sprint back in January. She was dead last when rounding the turn in the Doomben 10,000 and while she made up a lot of ground late, she still finished five lengths back.
15. Away Game (18)
Away Game has been an ultra consistent mare during her career and she has been placed in 16 of her 23 career race starts winning $3.7 million in prizemoney. She has failed to win at Group 1 level throughout this prep but has been placed in the Oakleigh Plate and Robert Sangster. The daughter of Snitzel has never raced beyond 1200m and while her best efforts has been on the good track she has one win from two starts on the heavy.
16 Brooklyn Hustle (5)
She is yet to win a Group 1 race but she has been an incredible mare. She competed in the Blue Diamond as a two-year old, the Coolmore Stud Stakes as a three-year-old, seven Group 1s as a four year old and now three as a five year old. She won the Group 2 Dane Ripper during last year’s winter carnival but her racing pattern means she needs a fair amount of luck upon straightening. She should save plenty of tickets from barrier five and you can never count her out.
17. Scallopini (9) 1st Emergency
Was narrowly denied in the Group 2 Victory Stakes behind Count De Cupee on a good track. He does his best racing when fresh and a month in between runs is ideal. Has won four times from five attempts on soft ground.
18. Niccanova (10) 2nd Emergency
Hasn’t threatened in two runs so far this prep and would need to produce a career best run to be competitive.
19. Jamaea (15) 3rd Emergency
A really classy filly who is a two-time Group 2 winner already. The daughter of Headwater has a superb turn of foot and I wouldn’t be surprised if she runs a really nice race should she gain a start.
20. Ranch Hand (1) 4th Emergency
The Chris Waller trained Ranch Hand was beaten under two lengths behind Anamoe in the Group 2 Hobartville Stakes in February before putting in a couple of sub par performances. He returned to a semblance of his best last start when scoring by two lengths and beat home the very smart Minsk Moment who I have a lot of time for. He’s clearly a colt that is thriving in work and he’s another that appeals should he get a start.
21. Alpine Eagle (2) 5th Emergency
Another colt with genuine claims if he sneaks into the field. All of his best racing has been on a firmer surface and he’d need to continue to improve but not without claims.