2023 Summer Cup Day Tips & Preview
Warning will contest the Summer Cup. Photo: Steve Hart

2023 Summer Cup Day Tips & Preview

The time-honoured Summer Cup headlines the eight-race program at Royal Randwick on Boxing Day.

Won by names like Super Impose and Fierce Impact during its storied existence, the Summer Cup has drawn another excellent field this year, including Group 1 winners.

You can find my complete 2023 Summer Cup Day Tips below.

Inglis Millenium Day 10 Feb Handicap (1400m) – 1:35pm AEDT
No. 4 Le Chocolat

Le Chocolat turned in some decent performances during his debut prep and can kick his new campaign off a winner on Boxing Day.

The Ocean Park gelding made three appearances, finishing just one the heels of the placegetters twice before running second behind Raf Attack on the Kensington course here at Randwick.

He’s had the benefit of a couple of trials leading up to this return and has options in running from the rails draw.

Buy An Arrowfield Graduate Plate (1600m) – 2:10pm AEDT
No. 3 Discover

Discover turned in an improved performance at Wyong first-up this time, and I am confident that a mile at Randwick will suit him second-up.

The Reliable Man gelding was only fair in two starts during his debut prep, but mustered a nice turn of foot to finish only a head behind the winner a couple of weeks ago.

He has plenty of upside and can begin his rise through the grades.

Drinkwise Plate (1200m) – 2:45pm AEDT
No. 14 Hellaine

Hellaine looks to have some ability, and with the benefit of a strong run under her belt, this looks a great opportunity for her to break her maiden.

The Hellbent filly finished midfield on debut back in July and was immediately put away, but hit the line to finish second behind an impressive To The Extreme at Canterbury earlier this month.

She’s drawn to receive a lovely run this week, and she does look more than up to it.

Toyota Forklifts Handicap (1400m) – 3:20pm AEDT
No. 4 Miss Faberge

Miss Faberge finally appears to be putting it all together this season, and I am keen to stick with her when she goes around on Summer Cup Day.

The Russian Revolution mare was well back in BM64 company first-up from a spell and duly saluted, and after a luckless effort at Rosehill second-up, she was unlucky again to only just miss in BM72 company last time.

The 1400m is ideal and the booking of Rachel King adds further confidence.

Benchmark 72 Handicap (1500m) – 4pm AEDT
No. 9 Mistress

Mistress has been excellent since returning from a break, and this looks another perfect race for her.

The More Than Ready mare dusted off the cobwebs with a decent effort for third behind Shuri on The Hunter Day, but was a vastly improved performer at her latest.

I’m only expecting a strong showing on the big Randwick track this week, she just needs some luck from a wide draw.

each way
All Too Hard @ Vinery Stud Handicap (1000m) – 4:40pm AEDT
No. 5 Temple Run

I thought that Temple Run’s resuming effort suggested he has wound back the clock, and he is more than deserving of a crack at something better like this 1000m dash.

The nine-year-old son of Dream Ahead has returned some nice performances during recent preps, but he was eye-catching at Gosford earlier this month, beating home some fit rivals.

His second-up record is good, and we can have an each way play in something like this.

each way
Group 3 Summer Cup (2000m) - 5:20pm AEDT
No. 6 Warning

An open field has accepted for this year’s Summer Cup and there is a case to be made for a few of them, including Warning.

An outstanding winner of the Victoria Derby during his three-year-old season, Warning has picked off plenty of nice races throughout his career, but it has been a short while since he found his way into the winner’s stall.

That being said, he turned in a really nice performance to finish second, beaten less than a length by Forgot You in the Cup Day Plate at Flemington last month.

He’s sure to hold some residual fitness for that effort and 2000m at Randwick should prove absolutely ideal.

Gordon’s Pink Gin Handicap (1200m) – 6pm AEDT
No. 4 Accredited

I’m keen to stick with Accredited when he goes around third-up in the last on Summer Cup Day.

Accreditaed returned to action for a lovely win in BM64 company at Warwick Farm last month and produced another tough effort to finish midfield in BM72 company here last time.

With further improvement this week and slightly further out in trip, he’s another that just needs a little luck in running from out wide.