Australian Cup – 2023

Track: Good Weather: Fine

This is a really good edition of the Australian Cup with lots of betting angles.  Cascadian comes up favourite after a good closing second in the All Star Mile last week and barrier 11 is perfect for him.  There are three other horses under $10-1.  Mo’unga who was third in last weeks Ranvet at Rosehill,  Right You Are who has won five on the trot and Nonconformist who was uber impressive winning the Blamey Stakes first up.

1. Cascadian

Quality galloper who backs up after running on into second in last weeks All Star Mile.  Looks ready to peak here and is one of the chances.

2. Regal Power

Was disappointing first up.  Not sure where he is at.

3. Mo’unga

Has never missed a place at Flemington.  Is on the quick back up after finishing third in the Ranvet at Rosehill last week.  He is always thereabouts but the knock on him is it has been over 12 months since he’s won.  Place bet?

4. Nonconformist

Loved this horses win first up in the Blamey.  Was low level flying through the line with plenty more to offer.  He’s a quality horse with a placing in a Caulfield Cup and a Caulfield Stakes to his name.  Expecting him to run super in this.

5. Emissary

Was second in last years Melbourne Cup.  Might of been a bit flat coming off the brutally run Peter Young Stakes last start.  The barrier (19) makes it tough but I wouldn’t be surprised to see him run well.

6. Smokin’ Romans

Won the Group 1 Turnbull Stakes this track and distance last prep.  Needs to do it at weight for age now.

7. Numerian

Has some really solid form going back to last prep.  Unsuited first up in the Peter Young where he was tasked with dragging the field up after a frenetic pace was set.  Like that they’ve taken him back to the jump outs in between runs.  Looks a great roughie at $18.

8. Marocchino  – SCRATCHED

Western Australian who lead and punctured in the Australian Cup Prelude.  Should ensure there’s a genuine tempo again.

9. Right You Are

Is absolutely flying.  Has won his last five including the Australian Cup Prelude last start.  Draws to get every chance again here.  Right stable!

10. Hezashocka

Was a tip around for him in the Blamey first up where he was given absolutely no hope from Oliver.  Dragged right back from the outside gate.  Can be much closer in the run from the low draw here and looks a decent roughie.

11. Pounding

Deep into his prep now but continues to race really well.  Loved his run in the All Star Mile last week.  Distance a query.

12. Lunar Flare

She was a good run first up in the Blamey but think she might need one more before we can look to back her.

13. El Patroness

Not here.

14. Steinem

Quality mare who won the Group 2 Peter Young Stakes at Sandown first up.  Has had a nice jump out in between runs and looks primed for this second up assignment.

15. Bank Maur

Is on the quick back up after winning the Alister Clark at the Valley last week.  Maps well.

16. Virtuous Circle

Was an eye catcher weaving through the field in the Australian Guineas.  Out to a trip that suits now.

17e. Yaphet – 1st Emergency

He is going okay this prep but looks out classed in this.

18e. Campionessa – 2nd Emergency

Kiwi who has finished second at Group 1 level art her last two starts.  Knock out chance.

19e. Bear Story – 3rd Emergency

Ex European who was a sneaky good run over an unsuitable trip first up.  Needs three scratchings to get a run.

The following are the top 4 selections for this years race.

Lewis Oliver’s Tips	Jo Jackson’s Tips
4 Nonconformist	1 Cascadian
10 Hezashocka	14 Steinem
7 Numerian	4 Nonconformist
1 Cascadian	15 Bank Maur

Result	Horse	Margin
1st	1 Cascadian
2nd	7 Numerian	0.75 lengths
3rd	11 Pounding	1.5 lengths
4th	6 Smokin’ Romans	2 lengths

The track was rated as Good 4.

Scratchings: 3. Mo’unga, 8. Marocchino, 9. Right You Are.