The Sydney Cup has attracted a nice field this year, with many chances among the 16 runners. Call me whatever you want, but I’m sticking with the grey EFFICIENT. Am I crazy? Probably. But if I was willing to back him in the Chairman’s Handicap, I think I have to stick with him here. I trust the training facilities at Macedon Lodge so I don’t doubt his fitness too much. It’s just whether he’s still good enough to win a Sydney Cup with the topweight of 58kg. But I do think he can measure up, so I have to have him in the mix. Hard to believe his last 3200m run (and his last run beyond 2000m) was 1635 days ago – and that was when he swept home to win the Melbourne Cup. If he can produce anywhere near his best, look out.

NIWOT was the first Australian horse home in the Melbourne Cup, beating four of his rivals here comfortably (Precedence, Drunken Sailor, Hawk Island, Older Than Time). He’s been going very well in weight for age races. He drops back to a handicap, he’s been crying out for the distance and he looks hard to beat.

OLDER THAN TIME is going better than she was twelve months ago I reckon, even though she hasn’t won this preparation. She’s still producing consistently, and she did run second last year, so an improved showing would see her in the mix here.

And DRUNKEN SAILOR was fantastic in the BMW after running second in the Adelaide Cup. I’m not sure he runs a strong 3200m but not many here do. He’s in with a chance. While I’m not including him in my top four, I’m going to be watching Peal of Bells very closely. He’s a rating 63 galloper – he is not in the same ballpark as any of these. But he’s been flying in much lesser races. Wouldn’t surprise me to see him run above his rating, not threatening the main players but showing he may have a staying future.

1 – EFFICIENT
3 – NIWOT
9 – OLDER THAN TIME
2 – DRUNKEN SAILOR