It isn’t the Melbourne Cup, but it’s clearly the best staying test of the autumn and a quality field has been taken for Saturday’s Group 1 Sydney Cup (3200m).
The Sydney Cup has been won by some classy international raiders and some fan favourites in recent years, and both of those things are a live chance of happening again at Royal Randwick this weekend.
I’ve pulled the whole thing apart and you can find my 2019 Sydney Cup tips in all their glory below.
Big Duke has been knocking on the door of a Group 1 win for several seasons now and the 2019 Sydney Cup looks a great race for him. The Raven’s Pass gelding has returned to the track in slick form this time and has finished second at three of his four appearances, which including a particularly smart effort behind Avilius in the Group 1 Tancred a fortnight ago. The wide barrier means absolutely nothing to me in a two-mile test and there’s no doubting that he’ll see out the trip.
Charlie Appleby could be the best trainer in the world, and he’ll be well represented in the Sydney Cup again by quality stayer Dubhe. The four-year-old son of Dubawi has recorded three wins from his seven career starts so far and has arrived in Australia by way of Dubai, and a dominant four-length triumph in the Al Naboodah Honeywelll Partnership Handicap, over the magic distance. Kerrin McEvoy knows a thing or two about winning over two miles and the horse is primed for a big run.
I was probably a bit ambitious to tip Red Cardinal ahead of Avilius in the Tancred two weeks ago, but I simply cannot wait to see what he can do over two miles now that he is in form. Its taken a few preps for him to really get going since arriving in Australia, but his runs to win the Parramatta Cup and Sky High Stakes when resuming this time were excellent. I like the booking of Brenton Avdulla and he’ll feel nothing with 54kgs in tow.
It’s almost an necessity to include a kiwi horse in the first four for a staying race these days and Sir Charles Road does look at touch of overs at his current price ($21 at publish). He ran a length third in this race last year and has continued to perform admirably in staying races both here and in his homeland since. There was a lot to like about his performer for fourth in the Group 2 Chairman’s last week and he’ll take improvement into this race.