The Australian Cup remains one of the most highly anticipated races of the Autumn Carnival and a fittingly strong field has been confirmed to step out for this year’s edition at HQ on Saturday.
Its generally been a good one for the roughies recently – Harlem has won the last two editions of the Australian Cup at enormous prices, while 2015 memorably delivered us that outstanding duel between stablemates Spillway ($12) and Extra Zero ($101). Hats off to anyone who won an early retirement on the back of that quinella.
AUSTRALIAN CUP – WINNER
No. 5 Kings Will Dream – Bet Now: $6.50
Kings Will Dream has returned two pleasing efforts this campaign and looks ready to peak third-up in the Australian Cup. The Casamento gelding has been a strong and consistent performer at the highest level since arriving in Australia a couple of years ago and finally realised his Group 1 winning potential last spring when he stormed home to win the Turnbull Stakes at this track and distance, and at this point of his preparation. He filled the minors in the Neds C.F. Orr Stakes first-up before running a close second in the Group 2 Peter Young a fortnight ago. He is primed to win.
AUSTRALIAN CUP – 2ND
No. 2 Avilius – Bet Now: $3.90
Avilius rarely returns a poor effort and he is another horse that typically finds his best at around this point of his preparation, and over 2000m. The Pivotal gelding wasn’t able to justify his favouritism when fourth in this race last year, but he progressed to consecutive wins in the Ranvet and The BMW, and he was equally impressive in spring when he won the George Main Stakes. He finished fourth in the Group 1 Chipping Norton last week and with even luck, he can fight out the finish again on Saturday.
AUSTRALIAN CUP – 3RD
No. 4 Harlem – Bet Now: $13.00
He clearly relishes the conditions of this race and while we aren’t quite getting the $41 that we’ve seen the last couple of years, I honestly think that there is a serious case to be made for Harlem completing the Australian Cup hat-trick. The son of Champs Elysees worked home well to finish fourth in the Group 3 Carlyon Cup before hugging the rails and hitting the line with intent to finish less than a length and a half from Miss Siska in the Peter Young a fortnight ago. He’ll take further improvement into this race and is clearly up to it.
AUSTRALIAN CUP – 4TH
No. 14 Miss Siska – Bet Now: $13.00
Miss Siska has been a star for the Begg stable throughout her entire racing career, but it looks as though she’s gone to another level this campaign and I can’t find a reason why she won’t fight out the finish of the Australian Cup. The So You Think mare returned some good efforts in spring but is yet to taste anything but success this campaign having won both the Group 3 Carlyn Cup and the Peter Young. The rise in trip won’t hurt and she’s another horse that will be ready to peak third-up in the Australian Cup.
Suggested Bets
- 2 Units straight out #5 Kings Will Dream
- Boxed Trifecta of the selections below
