Premier’s Cup – 2020

Track: Good   Weather: Fine

There is a full field of 14 runners plus 4 emergencies for the $160,000 Premier’s Cup, and with two early scratchings two of the emergencies will get a run. There is a mix of first-up, second-up and race fit horses. Three of them had their last start in the Premiers Cup Prelude, three in the Listed Rowley Mile and two in the Spring Preview Handicap at Randwick. The early favourite is Mugatoo who resumed for a good win in the Listed Winter Challenge where he had the best overall race sectional of the day at the distance. Second favouritism is shared between topweight Mustajeer who won the 2020 Listed Parramatta Cup over this track and distance, and Taikomochi  who won the Premiers Cup Prelude last outing.

Girl Tuesday kept chasing and only just missed in the Rowley Mile last outing and is down in weight  Sikandarabad won the Coffs Harbour Cup by over 2 lengths last start. Savacool won the Rowley Mile last start but has drawn very wide here. Toryjoy is an emergency so may nor get a run, but was 4th in the Rowley Mile, while Frankely Awesome won the Listed McKell  Cup over 2000m at this track in late June. All other runners are currently 20 to 1 or longer.

1. Mustajeer

Back in February he won the Listed Parramatta Cup over this course and distance. He goes well at Rosehill and tends to go well first-up. He resumes here after a 20 week spell and has trialled at Gosford. Must be respected.

2. Taikomochi

This Snitzel gelding is a versatile type who has had 3 runs back from a spell for 2nd in the Listed Winter Stakes, 3rd in the Listed Winter Challenge then a fighting win in the Premier’s Cup Prelude on a heavy track on 15 August. At least a place chance.

3. Mugatoo

He has 6 wins from 12 starts and resumed after 17 weeks for a solid win in the Listed Winter Challenge where he had the best overall race sectional of the day at the distance. He has won up to 2900mm so the rise in distance won’t worry him , and he won a recent trial at Gosford. One of the best chances.

4. Sikandarabad

Last start he won the Coffs Harbour Cup over 1600m by more than two lengths, It is hard to line that form up, but he is nice and fit and could make his presence felt.

5. Rondinella

She has been racing in Group races in New Zealand before a 23 week spell, then resumed for 6th in the Spring Preview Handicap at Randwick on a heavy track. She is a good distance mare who has drawn very wide and is a rough hope.

6. Carzoff

Has placed in five runs from eight races this campaign and came 2nd over 1600m in an Open handicap at Eagle Farm last start. He drops 5.5 kg from that run and is not the worst.

7. Azuro

First-up after a 20 week spell he has had 3 trials without showing anything, He might need the run and will be heading for longer races. Not here.

8. Sir Charles Road

Another runner that might be heading for longer races, he resumed for last of 12 in the Spring Preview Handicap over 1400m after a 33 week break. Not likely to do much here.

9. Grey Lion

This nine-year-old has had three runs this campaign and has improved each time, finishing 3rd in the Premiers Cup Prelude at his most recent start, A rough place chance.

10. Norway

Resumes here after a 15 week spell and has had two trials. Normally he doesn’t fire fresh and I’m not expecting that to change.

11. Girl Tuesday

She kept chasing and just missed last start at Hawkesbury in the Rowley Mile. She drops in weight and is not without a chance.

12. Frankely Awesome

This Frankel mare won the Listed McKell  Cup over 2000m at this track in late June. She has placed in a recent trail and has won 1 from 4 first-up. She should go well.

13. The Lord Mayor – SCRATCHED

14. Savacool

He hasn’t run a bad race in a long time  and is one of several runners for Chris Waller in this race. He ran 2nd in the Group 3 Chairman’s Quality over 2000m, 2nd in the Group 3 Tattersall’s Cup over 2400m, then won the Rowley Mile last start after a let-up. Has drawn very wide here but I think he could be in the finish

15. Herengawe – 1st Emergency

Resuming from a 6 week let-up. Finished four lengths off the winner last start at Randwick on a heavy track and down in weight. Hasn’t won beyond 1600m and prefer to watch him go round.

16. Zacada – 2nd Emergency

His breeding suggest he should be best over much longer journeys. Faded to finish sixth in the Prelude last start at Randwick on a heavy track when he was fresh and hasn’t been going well enough to make an impact in this race.

17. Aliferous – SCRATCHED

18. Toryjoy – 4th Emergency

If she gets a run she is a rough place hope. She was 4th in the Rowley Mile and is not the worst.

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

Jo’s Tips
3 Mugatoo
2 Taikomochi
1 Mustajeer
14 Savacool

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Group 1 Memsie Stakes 2020 (Caulfield 1400m)

Group 3 HDF McNeil Stakes 2020 (Caulfield 1200m)

Group 3 The Heath 1100 2020 (Caulfield 1100m)

Group 3 W W Cockram Stakes 2020 (Caulfield 1200m)

Listed Heatherlie Handicap 2020 (Caulfield 1700m)

Group 3 Ming Dynasty Quality Handicap 2020 (Rosehill 1400m)

Group 3 San Domenico Stakes 2020 (Rosehill 1100m)

Listed Leon Macdonald Stakes 2020 (Morphettville Parks 1400m)

Listed Idyllic Prince Stakes 2020 (Belmont 1300m)