The 2019 Queensland Winter Racing Carnival switches back to Eagle Farm this week with the Group 1 Kingsford-Smith Cup the highlight on the nine event card. The 1300m feature has attracted a full field of eighteen and has plenty of intrigue as well with the two year old Dubious set to take on the older horses at weight for age. The three year olds also hold a strong hand with Encryption, Ringerdingding and Outback Barbie all in with a chance.
A full field of eighteen are set to compete in the $700,000 Kingsford-Smith Cup and we have examined the entire field and our complete analysis can be found below.
Redouble
Redouble is stepping up sharply in class and looks tested here on his recent Autumn form of a third in the Group 3 Hall Mark Stakes over 1200m at Randwick and a fourth in the Listed Luskin Star Stakes over 1300m at Scone.
The Bostonian
Kiwi sprinter The Bostonian returned to Queensland with a Group 1 win in the Doomben 10,000 two weeks ago and has a great chance for back to back Carnival wins. The Tony Pike trained four year old won’t get as cosy a run this week from a double digit barrier but is still in with a great chance.
Victorem
Victorem made up plenty of ground from the back for a second in the Listed Ortensia Stakes over 1100m at Scone first up and has a good second up record. Is stepping up to Group 1 company for the first time and will find the competition tougher.
Chapter And Verse
The Desleigh Forster trained Chapter And Verse will fly the flag for the locals but will find it tough stepping up to Group 1 weight for age company for the first time. Chapter And Verse looked very good with a first up win in Class 6 company at Eagle Farm and was then a very unlucky fourth in the Group 3 BRC Sprint at Doomben last Saturday. There will be an almighty cheer if the four year old can loom up in the straight.
Dollar For Dollar
Dollar For Dollar chalked up his second Group 1 placing with a very brave third behind The Bostonian in the Group 1 Doomben 10,000 over 1200m at Doomben two weeks ago. Jamie Kah had Dollar For Dollar racing on the pace from a wide gate and hit the front at the 100m before getting overhauled in the run to the line. Has drawn in the second half of the field again and Kah will no doubt apply similar tactics. The extra distance will suit and has each way claims.
Trekking
Trekking is the first of the three James Cummings trained Godolphin runners and has very good recent form with two wins from his last two starts in the Group 3 Hall Mark Stakes over 1200m at Randwick and in the Listed Luskin Star Stakes over 1300m at Scone. Racing in great form but is tackling Group 1 weight for age company for the first time but will get the run of the race from the inside gate. Has each way claims.
Home Of The Brave
English import Home Of The Brave will also wear the Godolphin royal blue colours and just missed a place when fourth at his only Group 1 appearance on Australian soil in the Sir Rupert Clarke Stakes over 1400m at Caulfield during the 2018 Melbourne Spring Carnival. Was a beaten favourite last start when seventh in the Group 3 Hall Mark Stakes over 1200m at Randwick during the Sydney Autumn Carnival after setting the pace. Has drawn the visitor’s gate and likely to go forward again.
Endless Drama
The Tony Pike trained Endless Drama is a stablemate of The Bostonian and comes to Eagle Farm on the back of a Group 2 win at Ellerslie in New Zealand. Has been tuned up for the Kingsford-Smith Cup with a 1000m barrier trial win at Doomben earlier in the week but has to overcome the outside barrier in the eighteen horse field.
Man Booker
Perth sprinter Man Booker has outstanding form in Western Australia but was always in the second half of the field when eighth in the Group 1 Doomben 10,000 over 1200m at Doomben two weeks ago. Facing similar opposition here.
Prompt Response
The Chris Waller trained Prompt Response has handy Group 1 form and was a winner in the top company against the fillies the mares in the Tattersall’s Club Tiara during last year’s Brisbane Winter Carnival when under the care of Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott. Has drawn nicely and has place claims.
Encryption
Three year old colt Encryption is the last of the James Cummings – Godolphin runners and has performed well at Group 1 level under handicap conditions with a second in the Oakleigh Plate (1100m) at Caulfield and fourth in The Galaxy (1100m) at Rosehill during the Autumn Carnival. Is yet to win beyond 1200m and is facing a tough task first up at weight for age.
I Am Excited
I Am Excited claimed the scalp of dual Everest winner Redzel in the Group 2 Victory Stakes over 1200m at Eagle Farm last start and has been kept up to the mark with an 804m barrier trial win at Warwick Farm. Blake Shinn sticks with the mare and she looks to be one of the major players again.
Princess Posh
Princess Posh looks out of her class here on recent form, her latest a tenth in the Group 3 Dark Jewel Classic (1400m) at Scone.
Ringerdingding
The Chris Waller trained three year old colt Ringerdingding is a last start winner against his own age in the Group 3 Carbine Club Stakes over 1600m at Randwick during the Sydney Autumn Carnival. Is stepping up sharply in class here.
Irithea
Irithea has handy form in weaker grade and will find it tougher stepping up to weight for age Group 1 company after winning the Group 3 Hawkesbury Crown (1300m) at Hawkesbury.
White Moss
White Moss has been well beaten at her two Group 1 appearances which includes a last start ninth in the Doomben 10,000 (1200m) at Doomben.
Outback Barbie
Outback Barbie performed well at her first attempt in Group 1 company when fifth in the Doomben 10,000 (1200m) at Doomben last start and is another who will be chasing a home town win. The Tony Gollan trained filly will get back from the wide barrier but with a clear run in the straight will be storming home. Not the worst.
Dubious
The Ciaron Maher and David Eustace trained two year old colt Dubious is the wild card in the Kingsford-Smith Cup with only 48kg on his back. Lightweight jockey Nikita Beriman takes the ride on Dubious who is coming off an impressive win against his own age in the Group 2 Champagne Classic (1200m) at Doomben two weeks again. Facing much tougher company here.