2025 Sunshine Coast Cup Day Tips & Preview

2025 Sunshine Coast Cup Day Tips & Preview

The focus shifts north in Queensland this Saturday with black-type racing returning to the Sunshine Coast.

The Listed Sunshine Coast Cup headlines the program on what is looking to be a fine and sunny day.

For our thoughts across all 10 races, continue reading below.

Race 1 - 12:13PM THE 1. COASTLINE BMW QTIS Two-Year-Old Handicap (1000 METRES) 

Race Starts in: Race Finished

Win

No. 5 Varejao 

J: Kyle Wilson-Taylor (57.5kg) T: Stuart Kendrick

Keen on the first starter Varejao, who debuts for Stuart Kendrick on the back of some likable trial performances on the Sunshine Coast. 

The son of Anders was pipped right on the line by Dushenka in his latest hit out, form that has held up nicely with that same horse going on to win by over two lengths at Eagle Farm last weekend. 

Where he winds up from the middle gate is the query, but this guy looks a talented type worth following. 

Race 2 - 12:48PM THE X3. COASTLINE BMW Class 3 Plate (1600 METRES) 

Race Starts in: Race Finished

Win

No. 6 Texas Fireball 

J: James Orman (58.5kg) T: Matthew Dunn

Texas Fireball is deep into his prep, competing with the blinkers off for the first time on Saturday. 

The four-year-old son of Zoustar has raced well without winning of late, notably running fourth at Eagle Farm two weeks ago where he probably could have finished in the money if he wasn’t held up for a run. 

He’s yet to win over the mile, but the drop back in trip should be suitable when you consider he likes to race up on the speed. Capable of handling all going, some minor improvement would see him hard to beat. 

Race 3 - 1:23PM THE M5. COASTLINE BMW BENCHMARK 68 Handicap (2200 METRES) 

Race Starts in: Race Finished

Each Way

No. 11 Iberian Ruler

J: Ron Stewart (55.5kg) T: Annabel Neasham & Rob Archibald

Iberian Ruler is a promising stayer who appears to be putting it all together now for Annabel Neasham. 

The five-year-old by Almanzor was third over the mile here first-up in December, before improving sharply back to Class 1 grade at Lismore where he got up narrowly to win right on the line. 

This is tougher again, but he’s got the added fitness benefit now and has missed the money only once from three starts at this venue. 

Race 4 - 1:58PM THE iX2. COASTLINE BMW QTIS Three-Year-Old Handicap (1000 METRES) 

Race Starts in: Race Finished

Win

No. 8 Cosmo Centaurus  

J: Bailey Wheeler (54kg) T: Robert Heathcote

We should learn a bit more about the promising Cosmo Centaurus here up to Saturday grade. 

Robert Heathcote’s gelding dazzled on debut here on the Sunshine Coast back in August, storming out to lead before kicking clear to give nothing else a chance in a comfortable win by close to a length. 

The classy Spywire is the main danger in the race, but struggling to win and never really letting down first-up over further a couple of weeks ago, he’s a little difficult to trust for mine. 

Race 5 - 2:33PM THE X5. COASTLINE BMW QTIS Three-Year-Old Handicap (Weights raised 1kg) (1400 METRES) 

Race Starts in: Race Finished

Win Market Mover

No. 3 Blitzum 

J: Ron Stewart (56.5kg) T: Chris Anderson

Blitzum has had his runs spaced and now presents fitter third-up for Chris Anderson. 

The lightly-raced three-year-old resumed at Ipswich to claim his maiden, before returning a month later up to BM70 grade at Eagle Farm where a slow getaway forced him to run on late for fourth. 

Jumping on time will be the key to his chances again on Saturday, but with a run under his belt over 1400m now, and a trial between starts, he should be in top shape and ready to fire. 

Race 6 - 3:08PM THE iX1. COASTLINE BMW BENCHMARK 80 Handicap (1000 METRES) 

Race Starts in: Race Finished

Win

No. 14 Termagant 

J: Nikita Beriman (54kg) T: Matthew Hoysted

Termagant absolutely loves it here on the Sunny Coast, winning three of her four starts for Matthew Hoysted. 

By Deep Field, she finished off with an eye-catching turn of foot to run second first-up at Eagle Farm earlier in the month, an impressive performance considering she was drawn slightly awkwardly in barrier 7. 

Gate 12 might make this assignment even tougher, but with Nikita Berriman carrying only 54kg, the pair should still be thereabouts when the whips start to crack. 

Race 7 - 3:47PM THE 3. COASTLINE BMW BENCHMARK 70 Handicap (1200 METRES) 

Race Starts in: Race Finished

Each Way

No. 9 North Of Eli

J: Vlad Duric (58kg) T: Matthew Dunn

North Of Eli presents fitter second-up for Matthew Dunn. 

The wide gate is a bit of a knock on his chances in this open sprint race, but there was a bit to like about his effort for third here over 1000m late last year after working home nicely off the speed. 

He’d do well to find cover and settle handy again, and if Vlad Duric can get across early, he’ll be right in the mix. 

Race 8 - 4:27PM COASTLINE BMW SUNSHINE COAST CUP (1400 METRES) 

Race Starts in: Race Finished

Win Market Mover

No. 12 Party For Two  

J: Nikita Beriman (54.5kg) T: Matthew Hoysted

Tough to know what went wrong for Party Of Two when he finished down the order here on Boxing Day over 200m shorter. 

There were no real excuses on offer for Sidestep mare, although it’s fair to wonder if 1200m was a little too short for her after running a place fresh at Doomben four weeks earlier. 

The fact she’s had her runs spaced this prep suggests there’s big scope for improvement, and she does get in carrying only 54.5kg with a handful of placings to her name in Listed races. 

How she handles 1400m is the query, but normally consistent, she’s a good chance here with some likable form on this track. 

Race 9 - 5:10PM THE i4. COASTLINE BMW Class 6 Plate (1200 METRES) 

Race Starts in: Race Finished

Win

No. 7 Millane  

J: James Orman (58.5kg) T: Tony Gollan

Millane is a talented five-year-old who should find this step back to Class 6 level right up his alley. 

The son of Zoustar has been kept on ice following his effort in The Buffering in late December, a race that saw him too far back to really threaten after spotting the lead several lengths out of the barriers. 

He’s been given a trial between runs to polish him up, and if James Orman can have him settle handy to the speed this time, a bounce-back effort could be on the cards. 

Race 10 - 5:50PM THE M2. COASTLINE BMW BENCHMARK 78 Handicap (1400 METRES) 

Race Starts in: Race Finished

Win

No. 19 Runwiththetide 

J: Bailey Wheeler (56kg) T: Robert Heathcote

There looks to be some early speed on paper in the last of the day, which should suit the Rob Heathcote-trained Runwiththetide just fine. 

There’s no jockey booked as the second emergency, but if this son of Ocean Park chooses to line up here instead of Monday’s meeting at Doomben, he should be at the very least competitive. 

The smart six-year-old has been up for a while, but he’s held his form nicely to return a win and two placings from his last five starts. 

Looking to improve on a runner-up effort at Eagle Farm three weeks ago, he should prove difficult to run down if he rolls forward early. 

Tips, recommendations and commentary are for entertainment only. All prices are Fixed win odds. We provide no warranty about accuracy or completeness. You should make your own assessment before placing a bet. Odds are correct as of 13/02/2025 01:03:45am AEST and subject to change.