It’s one of the season’s most highly anticipated country races and one of the country’s most famous pilgrimages.
The Birdsville races draw focus around the country and from even further abroad, and with no Group 1 racing anywhere on the continent this weekend, I think that it’s fair to say that the 2019 Birdville Cup is the jewel in the crown of Saturday’s cards.
If somehow you can’t make it to the deep west of Queensland on Saturday afternoon, buy yourself five or six blocks of Gold tinnies and get around the 2019 Birdsville Cup tips below.
Java has been charged with carrying an incredible 65.5kgs in the 2019 Birdsville Cup, but I think that he’s the class horse of the race and the $8.50 available at publish is overs. He’s eight-years-olds now, but remember when he ran a close-up fourth in the Group 1 CF Orr while under the care of the Freedmans? Huge performance. He’s found a great home with Gary Clarke and clearly relishes racing on dirt, having lugged 62.5kgs to victory at Darwin last time out. I don’t think the weight will therefore be an issue and he’s up to winning.
Le Drama has found outstanding form this time and is a fitting occupant of the top line of 2019 Birdsville Cup betting. The five-year-old son of Excelebration has recorded three wins and a close-up second through his four starts this time in and was last seen winning over 1450m at Mt Isa by close to two lengths. Rick McMahon retains the ride and should be able to navigate to a nice position in transit from gate 2. He’s the race’s first emergency, so is still sweating on a run.
Cashing Up is another horse that will carry winning form into the Birdsville Cup and with even luck, he can fight out the finish. Cashing Up rarely returns a poor effort and was too good in the Betoota Cup last time out; beating home several of these rivals. So long as he can find a position in transit from barrier 10 without too much work, he wouldn’t look out of place in the Birdsville Cup winner’s stall.
Eschiele has been a typically consistent performer this time and will round out our 2019 Birdsville Cup tips. Trainer Leslie Baker has kept the horse ticking along the Queensland cups circuit this time, and the horse has finished a close-up second at his two most recent appearances, which included a run behind Cashing Up in the Betoota Cup.