2021 Kingsford-Smith Cup Race Details

Race 8 at Eagle Farm on Saturday 29 May 2021.

The Kingsford Smith or BTC Cup is a 1300 metre weight-for-age race held by the Brisbane Racing Club. Prior to 2017 it was the first Group 1 race of the Brisbane Winter Carnival and is held at Eagle Farm during May.

You can read more about the race history, lead-up races and past winners on the Kingsford Smith Cup page.

Kingsford-Smith Cup 2021 Preview

Track: Good   Weather: Fine

There are 16 runners for the $700,000 Kingsford-Smith Cup including five that are already Group 1 winners. Two had their last start in the Group 1 Doomben 10,000, two in the Group 1 The Goodwood and two in the Group 1  All Aged Stakes while the rest all came via different races. James Cummings and Tony Gollam both have three runners, while Peter & Paul Snowden have two. They range in age from three to seven, with 10 geldings, two entires, three mares and a filly.

The early favourite is six-year-old mare Savatiano who won the Group 1 Canterbury Stakes over this distance two starts back then was a very close 2nd in the Group 1 All Aged Stakes. Second favourite is Gytrash who won the Yes Yes Stakes two starts back before 3rd in The Goodwood last start. Third favourite is Trekking who was 3rd in the race when it was last run in 2019, and finished 0.8 length 5th in the Group 1 Doomben 10,000 last start..

Savatoxl is a looking for a hat-trick after winning the Group 3 D C McKay Stakes then The Goodwood – both by good margins.  Jonker won the $1M Magic Million Sprint before 3rd in the Group 1 The GalaxyImaging finished 2nd in the Group 1 Orr Stakes three starts ago. Niccanova won the Group 2 Victory Stakes first-up last start, while Vega One finished 2nd in that race then ran 0.7 length 4th in the Doomben 10,000.  All other runners are currently 20 to 1 or longer.

2021 Kingsford-Smith Cup Runner by Runner

1. Trekking

One of 3 runners for James Cummings, this six-year-old ran 3rd in this race in 2019 and has won 10 of his 35 starts. He resumed from a 22 week spell for 1.45 lengths 5th in the G2 Victory Stakes over 1200m art Eagle Farm on 1 May, then finished 0.8 length 5th in the Doomben 10,000. Will be competitive.

2. Gytrash

In October this five-year-old ran 3rd in The Everest over 1200m then won the Yes Yes Yes Stakes by 0.3 lengths. He resumed from a 28 week spell for 3rd in The Goodwood and goes well second-up. Should be in the finish.

3. Savatoxl

Trained by Tony McEvoy, this five-year-old won the G3 D C McKay Stakes over 1100m by 3 lengths on 1 May, then was a 2 length winner of The Goodwood at his first tery at Group 1 level. He has won 16 of his 28 starts and has won two from two over this distance. Put him in everything.

4. Imaging

Has drawn the outside barrier. Was 2nd in the Orr Stakes 3 starts ago but all his wins have been at 1400m or longer.

5. Kementari

This six-year-old Lonhro gelding has drawn the inside barrier. He didn’t have the clearest of runs when 1.4 lengths 6th in the All Aged Stakes last outing and could improve on that.

6. Victorem

He has placed in 2 of 3 runs this campaign and has two wins at this track. Nicely drawn in barrier 2 he could place here.

7. So Si Bon

This seven-year-old So You Think gelding has raced at Group 1 level 24 times for 4 places. He has won 2 of his last 3 races – the Listed March Stakes over 1400m in March and the VOBIS Gold Mile over 1600m in April. Rough hope.

8. Niccanova

He has great form at Eagle Farm where he has 3 wins and 6 places from 11 starts. Resumed from a 17 week spell for a 0.75 length win in the G2 Victory Stakes over 1200m here on 1 May. Could surprise.

9. Vega One

One of three runners for Tony Gollan, this five-year-old was runner up in the Victory Stakes at Eagle Farm two starts back and was less than a length away when fourth in the Doomben 10,000 last start. Should be at his peak after three runs back from a break and is in the mix.

10. Jonker

He won the Magic Million Sprint at the Gold Coast two starts back before placing in the G1 Galaxy last start. He has yet to win past 1200m and running out a strong 1300m at WFA is a genuine query.

11. Signore Fox

One of two runners for Peter and Paul Snowden, he won the G3 Star Kingdom Stakes first-up this preparation and hasn’t finished far from the winner at his last two starts. Is untried at Group 1 level and might find this too hard.

12. Blazejowski

Has won 9 of his 25 starts and ran 5.6 lenghs 5th in the Orr Stakes at his only previous race at Group 1 level. Not the worst.

13. Savatiano

This six-year-old Street Cry mare from the Godolphin stable has 13 wins and 13 places from 39 starts. She won three Group races in a row culminating in the G1 Canterbury Stakes over 1300m, then was claimed late for a narrow 2nd in the All Aged Stakes over 1400m. A strong winning chance here.

14. Outback Barbie

Followed 1.2 lengths 4th in the G3 Hall Mark Stakes with a narrow win in the Listed Bright Shadow Quality for fillies and mares. Has not won or placed in 7 visits to this track before. Not here.

15. Pennino

Ran 3rd in the G2 Victory Stakes before 4.05 lengths 7th in the Doomben 10,000. Will find this too tough.

16. Dame Giselle

This three-year-old I Am Invincible filly has won five of her 14 starts, including four Group 2 races. Only one 3YO filly has won this race before, so history is against her.

Kingsford-Smith Cup 2021 Tips

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

Jo’s Tips
13 Savatiano
2 Gytrash
3 Savatoxl
1 Trekking

Previews for other races this week

Group 1 Queensland Derby 2021 (Eagle Farm 2400m)

Group 2 BRC Sires’ Produce 2021 (Eagle Farm 1400m)

Group 3 Fred Best Classic 2021 (Eagle Farm 1400m)

2021 Kingsford-Smith Cup Results

The track was rated as Good 4.

Scratchings were: 4. Imaging (GBR).

Result Horse Margin
1st 9. Vega One
2nd 10. Jonker 0.5 length
3rd 11. Signore Fox 0.6 length
4th 1. Trekking 0.8 length