2025 January Cup Day Tips & Preview

Aligned is on debut for Peter Snowden with a couple of impressive barrier trials under his belt. 

The two-year-old Russian Revolution gelding got the upper hand in his latest run here at Rosehill, caught three-wide out of the turn before being given a niggle approaching the line where he got the head in front. 

That run came on a rain-soaked track, so the soft conditions on Saturday could suit if he gets a similar run from the wide gate. 

Scopics looks ready to peak third-up for Angus Stewart. 

A lightly-raced son of Divine Prophet, this smart five-year-old has improved in both runs back this prep, rattling home late for third at Randwick a few weeks ago after being forced to shift wide and make up ground. 

He only got going over his final few strides that day, so stretching out to 1400m looks ideal now from another inside barrier.  

Tommy Berry replaces Nash Rawiller in the saddle, while the 1.5g drop in weight is also a big plus. 

Hezdarnhottoo is a three-year-old worth following out of the Bjorn Baker yard. 

The talented three-year-old was super unlucky not to win the Sunlight Consol on return on the Sunshine Coast earlier in the month, exploding with a run from midfield to concede in a head bob all the way to the line behind Cosmic Fire. 

By Too Darn Hot, he’s got some serious talent and an electric turn of foot, as we saw at Wyong when he won a Class 1 last September. 

Having proven capable of handling a wet track now, he looks well placed for a similar effort if Josh Parr can save his best for late from out wide. 

Happy to stick with Zouripper despite the wide gate. 

The John Thompson-trained gelding disappointed on Boxing Day first-up from a similarly awkward alley at Randwick, angling to the clear out wide after taking a little while to work through his gears. 

That said, he won his maiden on a soft track at Canterbury last year, while Zac Lloyd should have a good feel for him now after riding him last time out.  

Kept on the fresh side and just needing to settle close to the speed, an improved effort can be expected. 

We’re about to find out just how good Gilded Water is. 

Ciaron Maher’s import is 2/2 since arriving in Australia in November, stepping out at Randwick last month where he gave nothing else a chance after hitting his stride into the straight to win by over three lengths. 

Kept on ice with a month between runs, he should be just as sharp over 2400m, although he probably won’t want to give away as big of a start on this occasion with some decent early speed engaged. 

Defining is capable of a better effort than the one she produced fresh at Randwick late last month.  

The Not A Single Doubt mare got out the back and spotted the leaders a decent margin, one she failed to make up in the run home when weakening badly down the straight. 

That said, 1300m was always short of her best, and she should find this rise in distance much more appropriate with the 2kg claim put to good use.  

Based on her recent trials leading in, she just needs a touch of luck from out wide to make amends. 

Akua’rius is one of the more intriguing runners going around on Saturday. 

The German raider has seen nothing but dry tracks since arriving in Australia, last seen battling on late for fifth in the Listed Beauford at Newcastle where the tempo was against him all the way.  

A son to Sea The Stars, it’s worth mentioning he’s gone unplaced in all four races he’s contested down under, but he typically races well on the fresh side with three wins on the board. 

His recent trial between subsequent winner Sandpaper at Warwick Farm was solid, and there’s a bit to like about his wet track form as well with two wins to his name on soft going. 

Cadetship hasn’t done a great deal this time in work, finishing outside the placings in both runs back at Randwick. 

The five-year-old to Merchant Navy weakened badly at the 200m mark last start where he was found to be lame post race, so there were excuses on offer. 

Keep in mind, he was also stepping up sharply to 1500m second-up, meaning he might be better for the run, providing he’s pulled up okay for this third-up assignment. 

His wet track form checks out and he’s performed quite well here at Rosehill in the past.  

Silent Impact looks ready to rock and roll here third-up for Waterhouse and Bott. 

His run two weeks ago at Randwick was a solid piece of work, sticking on nicely along the rail to run third among a wall of horses charging the line out wide. 

The six-year-old son of Maurice hasn’t won a race in three years, but with even luck and conditions to suit, he should settle up on the speed and take serious catching. 

Don’t Hope Do is one of the main contenders returning from a spell. 

Simon Zahra’s promising four-year-old has had just the six starts so far, winning his second race at Ballarat early in December where he settled up on the speed early and punched clear to win by over two lengths. 

Other highlights include a third place in the Group 3 Red Anchor at The Valley last year, so there is room for him to improve into a potential black-type winning horse. 

With good early speed expected, he should settle in behind the leaders with a handy 2kg claim in his favour.