2011 Sydney Cup Preview & Tips

2011 Sydney Cup Preview & Tips

Randwick – Sat 23 April 2011

The $500,000 Group 1 Schweppes Sydney Cup over 3200 metres is the feature event on an 8 race program at Randwick that has four Group 1 races, a Group 2, Group 3 and two Listed races. There is a full field of 16 runners plus one emergency. The horses range in age from four to seven-year-olds and include three mares – Once Were Wild, Older Than Time and Montahlia. The topweight in this handicap is six-year-old gelding Hawk Island who will carry 57kg.

Runners in the 2011 Schweppes Sydney Cup at Randwick

Mourayan ($5.50) has only won two of his 22 starts, both in Ireland, and the last in November 2008. He has yet to win in Australia after 14 starts but ran a nice second to Cedarberg in the Group 1 The BMW last start. He is one of 3 starters in this race for Robert Hickmott.

C’est La Guerre ($6) is another Hickmott runner. He came 3^rd in the 2008 Melbourne Cup then 8^th in the 2009 Melbourne Cup so is proven over the distance. The six-year-old gelding ran 3^rd in the Chairman over 2600m last start and was running on strongly, so should go well here.

Once Were Wild ($7.50) is a tough staying mare who has won 7 of her 18 starts. She won the 2010 AJC Oaks and finished 11th in the 2010 Melbourne Cup. At her last start she won the 2600m Chairman after leading for most of the race and will give them something to chase here.

Macedonian ($8.50) is one of only four horses in the race to have won over 3200m (the others are Muir, Strike One and Solid Billing). His last start was a close 3^rd in the Adelaide Cup in March and he should be in the first few home.

Hawk Island ($9) has been racing extremely well at his last few starts over distances of 2000 to 2400m. He has won 10 of his 34 starts but may find this distance a bit much.

Above Average ($9) has been carrying big weights and has chalked up minor places at his last 3 starts. Drops in weight and has been placed at the distance. Should run well.

Muir ($13) is a talented stayer with 6 wins from 22 starts. He won the Adelaide Cup last start carrying the same weight.

Jo’s Tips – Sydney Cup

- Top Tip: (2.) C’est La Guerre
- Danger: (3.) Once Were Wild
- Trifecta: (5.) Above Average

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