Easter Cup – 2021

Track: Soft-Heavy Weather: Fine

A field of sixteen runners plus two emergencies have accept for the $160,000 Easter Cup.  This looks a strong edition of the race with a number of Group 1 performed horses set to line up.  Two are backing up after running in last weeks Golden Mile at Bendigo while four others had their last run in the Albury Cup.  A further two ran in the C S Hayes while four more are first up from a spell.  Team Hayes/Dabernig & Philip Stokes are the two trainers with multiple runners in the race.

The early favourite in the betting is Persan.  He finished fifth in last years Melbourne Cup and is one of Australia’s best stayers.  The second favourite is the Western Australian trained runner Platoon.  He is on the quick back up after finishing second behind Ironclad in last weeks Golden Mile.  Le Don De Vie finished third in the 2020 Geelong Cup and should be able to settle handier from an inside draw.

Hang Man won the Yarra Valley Cup last start and also dead heated here with Defibrillate on January 30.  Mahamedeis drops 4kg in the weights and gets back onto his home track where he is a winner of four races.  The Lord Mayor has strong connections in Damian Lane and Chris Waller.  He ran second in the Albury Cup last start.  Amade is an interesting runner.  He is a former international and has not raced for nearly two years but has a strong winning strike rate and won a recent Cranbourne trial.  Good Idea won the Adelaide Cup last start, while dual Australian Cup winner Harlem has been struggling for form.  The remaining runners are $20-1 or longer.

1. Vow And Declare

This son of Declaration Of War won the 2019 Melbourne Cup but has struggled to find his best form since.  He has a big weight to carry first up and I would prefer to just watch him here.

2. Persan

Second up.  He finished fifth in last years Melbourne Cup and was a terrific win first up at Moonee Valley.  Has drawn wide but gets the senior rider on this time around.  A major player.

3. Harlem

Two time Australian Cup winner but he struggled in this years running of that race and I find it hard to make a case for him here.

4. Constantinople

Ran a very good fourth in the 2019 Caulfield Cup, then finished midfield in a Melbourne Cup.  His best puts him right in this but he has been safely held in his most recent three runs.  Prefer to watch him first up.

5. Le Don De Vie

Former international now with the Freedman’s.  He ran a very good third in last years Geelong Cup.  His first up run in Adelaide was a nice pipe opener.  He gets Jamie Kah + 2000m here which is more in his favour.  Expect him to settle much further forward.  He can be in this for a long way.

6. Night’s Watch

Finished off okay in the CS Hayes at Morphettville.  2000m suits but I don’t like the addition of Synthetic Hoof Filler.

7. Platoon

On the quick back up after rattling home to finish second in last weeks Golden Mile.  He was also a very good run over the unsuitable 1400m at Flemington three starts ago.  Definite winning chance.

8. Amade

Blinkers First Time and Gelded.   First up in Australia off 663 days!  Has won 8 of 13 so clearly has talent but also some issues.  Market your only guide.

9. Hang Man

Hang Man is going really well this preparation.  He was perfectly ridden by Jamie Mott to win the Yarra Valley Cup on March 14.  Prior he dead heated with Defibrillate here.   The wide barrier (17) makes it really tough though.

10. Home By Midnight

First up.  Has been Group 1 placed twice but that in a former life.  He is getting ready for a jumps campaign.

11. Mahamedeis

Comes back to Caulfield after a disappointing run in the Albury Cup.  Thought his two runs prior at Flemington were pretty good.  Wouldn’t shock.

12. Spanish Reef

Spanish Reef has been struggling against the mares.  Can’t see her winning here.

13. Good Idea

Won the Adelaide Cup by a big space last time.  Not sure he is suited coming back 1200m in distance here.  Happy to risk.

14. The Lord Mayor

Has won 7 of his 41 starts.  He finished fourth behind Mount Popa at Randwick on March 6, then ran second in the Albury Cup.  Damian Lane on is a tick.

15. Kentucky Breeze

Fit and racing well against easier opposition.  Not sure he is up to this class.

16. Mongolian Marshal

Finished fifth in the Albury Cup.  I find it hard to make a case for him here.

17. Midterm

On the quick back up.  He started $301 in the Golden Mile and was unsighted.  No.

18. The Doctor’s Son

Ran third at a huge price in the Albury Cup.  Has the visitors car park.

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

Jo’s Tips	Lewis’ Tips
2. Persan	5. Le Don De Vie
5. Le Don De Vie	2. Persan
7. Platoon	7. Platoon
8. Amade	11. Mahamedeis

Group 1 Tancred Stakes 2021 (Rosehill 2400m)

Group 1 Vinery Stud Stakes 2021 (Rosehill 2000m)

Group 2 Tulloch Stakes 2021 (Rosehill 2000m)

Group 2 Emancipation Stakes 2021 (Rosehill 1500m)