Black type racing returns to the Sunshine Coast this week on 2023 Mooloolaba Cup Day!
There are ten winners to be found in total, and you can find my complete 2023 Mooloolaba Cup Day Tips below.
OGE Group Architects QTIS 2YO Handicap (1000m) – 1:18pm AEDT
Barbie’s Sister has opened a clear odds-on favourite ahead of her debut on Mooloolaba Cup Day.
There is simply too much that can happen in races like this one for my liking, so I am staying out.
Suggested Bet: No Bet
Bet Now: Sunshine Coast Race 1
Archer PRK Racing BM78 Handicap (1600m) – 1:53pm AEDT
Rising Pacific has gone to another level this time in, and he looms as the one to beat again in Race 2 at the Sunshine Coast on Saturday.
Rising Pacific returned to winning form out at Ipswich third-up this time and hasn’t looked back, winning each of his two subsequent starts, both in town, with something to spare.
He’s hard fit and I can’t find a reason why he won’t be in the finish.
Suggested Bet: No. 4 Pacific Rising
Bet Now: Sunshine Coast Race 2
Accurate Road Profiling Servies 3YO Quality Handicap (1600m) – 2:28pm AEDT
Encoder is another galloper that appears to be in career-best form, and with further winning claims on Mooloolaba Cup Day.
Encoder returned to action with a fair effort to fill the minors at Doomben in September, and took plenty of improvement into an easy maiden victory at Ipswich.
Having repeated the dose at Eagle Farm at his latest, I like that he has been back to the trials in the lead up to this race.
Suggested Bet: No. 1 Encoder
Bet Now: Sunshine Coast Race 3
Kendrick Racing Class 3 Handicap (1200m) – 3:03pm AEDT
Helluva Barty returned to action with a fine performance and win in BM68 company at Doomben, and he can make it two in a row at the Sunshine Coast this weekend.
Helluva Barty didn’t come up in winter and his campaign was abandoned after two starts, but his fresh win suggested that he has returned to form.
With added improvement, I can’t find a reason why he won’t be in the finish, and he is my best bet on the program.
Suggested Bet: No. 4 Helluva Barty
Bet Now: Sunshine Coast Race 4
Innovative Planning Solutions BM68 Handicap (1800m) – 3:38pm AEDT
I’m sticking with Colleagues when he steps out third-up this weekend.
Colleagues is yet to strike in two starts back this time, but both performances have been full of merit, and he finishes on the placegetters’ heels at each.
Fitter third-up, further out in trip and under the urgings of Ryan Maloney, he gets plenty of ticks in my opinion.
Suggested Bet: No. 8 Colleagues
Bet Now: Sunshine Coast Race 5
Landmark Resort & Spa Class 6 Plate (1200m) – 4:17pm AEDT
This is one of the better races on the program and there is a case to be made for a few of them, including Arentee.
Arentee hasn’t been seen at the races since August, but he returned some typically smart performances last time in, finding form around handy, Saturday competition.
He boasts a very good fresh record and get some relief in the weights under Melea Castle, and we can have an each way play at current odds ($11 at publish).
Suggested Bet: No. 1 Arentee
Bet Now: Sunshine Coast Race 6
Travis Schultz & Partners BM85 Handicap (1400m) – 4:57pm AEDT
Cottee has been in fine order recently and looms as the one to beat again in the seventh on Mooloolaba Cup Day.
The Mark Currie-trained mare stripped fitter with a couple of fair efforts in lesser company first and second up this time, before returning to winning form over 1500m at Eagle Farm in early October.
Given that he franked that performance with another win over a mile last time, I think that the 1400m on the big Sunshine Coast track will be more than fine, and I can’t find a reason why he won’t be in the finish.
Suggested Bet: No. 8 Cottee
Bet Now: Sunshine Coast Race 7
Listed Mooloolaba Cup (1600m) – 5:32pm AEDT
This is an open edition of the Mooloolaba Cup, but I think that Great House might still have most of them covered for class, and it’s a perfect third-up target.
He’s been a great horse for the Waller yard for a couple of years now, and Great House has improved noticeably for his two starts back this time, and was unlucky to only just miss behind stablemate Shibli at Eagle Farm at his latest.
Fitter third-up, Jake Bayliss takes the ride this week, and we can have an each way play at current odds ($8.50 at publish).
Suggested Bet: No. 1 Great House
Bet Now: Sunshine Coast Race 8
The Wharf Mooloolaba Swiss Ace Plate (1000m) – 6:11pm AEDT
The featured sprint has also attracted an excellent field and in my opinion, this is clearly the standout race of the program.
Prince Of Boom resumes and will be tough to beat.
The Spirit Of Boom gelding was excellent during this year’s Winter Carnival, winning three feature races, including the Group 2 Moreton Cup most notably.
He flies fresh and with the right run, I think he wins.
Suggested Bet: No. 1 Prince Of Boom
Bet Now: Sunshine Coast Race 9
Sunshine Coast Business Solutions QTIS 3YO Handicap (1000m) – 6:50pm AEDT
Party For Two returned a winner at Eagle Farm last month and can make it two in a row when she steps out in the last on Mooloolaba Cup Day.
The Sidestep filly was excellent early in her two-year-old campaign, but didn’t show much at all in two winter starts.
Her fresh performance this time suggested that she has returned a stronger horse, and with even luck, I think she’ll be winning again this week.
Suggested Bet: No. 1 Party For Two