Racing Preview – Sat 25 April

Sydney Cup – Randwick
There is a good Anzac Day eight race program at Randwick with four Group 1 races. The main event is the $700,000 Group 1 Schweppes Sydney Cup over 3200 metres for three-year-olds and upwards. There is a full field of 16 plus 3 emergencies.

The early betting is very open with Fiumicino at $6.50 favourite ahead of Master O’Reilly at $7.50, Ista Kareem and Mr Tipsy both at $8, Dandaad and Newport both at $9 and Divine Rebel at $9.50. All the rest are at double figure odds. Master O’Reilly hasn’t won for some time but can handle the distance and has won at his only Randwick start. He ran fourth in the Melbourne Cup last year. Ista Kareem appears to be a genuine stayer and drops 5 kg in weight from his last start. Fiumicino will also appreciate the weight drop and won his last start at weight-for-age over 2400 metres. Divine Rebel is the only mare in the field and is very tough.

Jo’s tips: 1. Master O’Reilly, 2. Ista Kareem, 3. Fiumicino

Queen Elizabeth Stakes – Randwick
The weight-for-age $500,000 Group 1 Emirates Queen Elizabeth Stakes over 2000 metres has attracted a field of 14 plus 1 emergency. The early market has Whobegotyou as a clear favourite at $2.80. Next in the betting is Vision And Power at $6, Sousa at $7.50, Predatory Pricer at $8.50, Roman Emperor at $9 and Metal Bender at $10.

There are many chances. Vision And Power has been most impressive this campaign. Miss Maren ($18) has won her last 4 in a row and will perform well if she can handle the weight. Pompeii Ruler ($23) has great second-up form and this is his best distance. Whobegotyou was unlucky in the Doncaster and other three-year-olds Roman Emperor and Metal Bender are serious contenders.

Jo’s tips: 1. Vision And Power, 2. Miss Maren, 3. Pompeii Ruler

Sir Byrne Hart – Eagle Farm
The Group 2 $125,000 Greenslopes Private Hospital Sir Byrne Hart Stakes weight-for-age over 1200 metres has attracted a field of 10 runners. The early market has Swiss Ace at $2.15 favourite followed by Gamble Me at $5, Sniper’s Bullet and Black Ink both at $7.50, Red Element and Rasmussen both at $8.50 and Tour Guide at $14.

Swiss Ace should win. He will be second up and has won all 5 of his second up starts. He has won 3 of his 4 starts on this track and has never been unplaced in 7 runs at the distance (5 wins, 2 places). Black Ink and Sniper’s Bullet appear the main rivals.

Jo’s tips: 1. Swiss Ace, 2. Black Ink, 3. Sniper’s Bullet