The field for Saturday’s Group 1 Australian Cup (2000m) at Flemington is packed with talent and several previous winners at the highest level, but it is shaping as Gailo Chop’s race to lose.
The talented French import has returned to racing in outstanding form this time and has opened at Australian Cup odds of $2.60, despite drawing a wide barrier.
Gailo Chop announced himself to the Australian racing community when he led from the start to finish in the 2015 edition of the Group 1 Mackinnon Stakes (2000m) while under the care of Antoine De Watrigant, but he has gone to another level since arriving at Darren Weir’s stables.
Taking a few runs to find form in spring, Gailo Chop flew home to win the Listed Penny Edition (1400m) at Morphettville before returning to Victoria for several outstanding performances and results at the highest level, including a strong win in the Group 1 Caulfield Stakes (2000m).
Gailo Chop will be seeking a third-consecutive win in the Australian Cup after comfortably taking out both the Group 3 Carlyon Cup (1600m) and Group 2 Peter Young Stakes (1800m) this time in.
The Deportivo gelding has interestingly won on all four occasions that he has started favourite and he will give them something to chase at Flemington on Saturday.
Almandin has continued to receive a steady flow of support in Australian Cup betting and the Melbourne Cup winner remains sole occupant of the second line at current $6 odds, having opened at $6.50.
Almandin returned to racing in outstanding form last year and won the Listed JRA Trophy (2500m) most notably, before finished midfield in his defence of the Melbourne Cup and ultimately ending his season second behind stable mate The Taj Mahal in the Group 2 Zipping Classic (2400m).
The Monsun gelding mustered a strong turn of foot to finish second behind stable mate and fellow Australian Cup-bound Homesman in the Listed Mornington Cup Prelude (2000m) first-up a fortnight ago and will be extremely difficult to beat on Saturday.
Homesman has drawn ideally into the Australian Cup field in barrier 3 and arguably represents the best value to punters in the market at a current $11 quote.
The talented son of War Front has been a strong and consistent performer throughout his entire racing career to date, winning the Group 3 Gallinule Stakes (2011m) and finishing third in the Group 1 Belmont Derby (2011m) most notably whilst under the care of Aidan O’Brien.
The one horse that punters have flocked to in early Australian Cup betting is Hartnell, who has firmed from an opening quote of $9.50 to currently rest at $7.50.
Hartnell has been the benchmark for the Godolphin Australia operation for the best part of two years and resumed this time for a third win at the highest level in the Group 1 CF Orr Stakes (1400m).
He wasn’t at his best when he ran a distant third behind Gailo Chop in the Peter Young Stakes a fortnight ago, but he should enjoy a good run in transit from barrier 6 and will be ridden by Craig Williams in the Australian Cup.
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