Queensland Cup – 2020

Track: Soft   Weather: Cloudy

There are eight runners for the $125,000 Queensland Cup and three of them had their last start in the Toowoomba Cup run two weeks ago. The early favourite is  Fun Fact who has placed in two runs from four starts this campaign and has won over this distance. Second favourite is Alward who comes off a win in the Toowoomba Cup over 2000m on 26 September and came 3rd in the Group 3 Premier’s Cup at this track and distance back in June. Third favourite is Fastnet Cyclone who has won his last two races at Eagle Farm and Gold Coast.

Free Fly Too was 2nd in the Toowomba Cup after 2nd in the Listed Brisbane Handicap. Five-year-old Stardome has placed at both his latest starts over similar distances. Nine-year-old Grey Lion is the oldest horse in the race and ran 3rd in the Group 3 Colin Stephen Quality over 2400m at Rosehill last start. Sir Barnabus finished 9th in the Toowoomba Cup but has four wins over this distance, while Ready For Danger ran 3rd in the Lismore Cup over 2110m last start and has two wins over this distance.

1. Alward

One of two runners for Chris Waller (the other is Stardome). this eight-year-old has won eight races over 2000m. He battled away for 3.1 lengths 10th over 2030m in an Open Handicap at Doomben on 12 September, then settled 5th, moved to 3rd on the home turn and ran on well for a narrow 0.1 length win in the Toowoomba Cup over 2000m on 26 September. Back in June he came 3rd in a Group 3 race at this track and distance.  He should go well.

2. Grey Lion

The oldest runner in the race this nine-year-old grey gelding is bred for staying distances. He ran 5.1 lengths 11th in a Group 3 race over 1900m at Rosehill on 29 August, then chased hard to find the front but was run down late to finish 1.3 lengths, 0.1 length 3rd over 2400m in the Group 3 Colin Stephen Quality at Rosehill on 26 September. The 200m drop in distance should suit.

3. Fun Fact

He has had four runs in Sydney this campaign and has placed in two of them. He finished 3.4 lengths 6th over 1600m at Randwick on 19 September, then was the leader straightening and battled on for 0.2 length, 1.5 lengths 3rd over 1900m at Rosehill on 26 September. He drops 5.5 kg from that run. He had a win over this distance at Eagle Farm when he was a three-year-old. One of the chances.

4. Sir Barnabus

This Rothesay gelding has four wins over this distance. He battled on near the rail for 3 lengths 4th over 2030m at Doomben on 1 September, then wa always well back in the field when 7.4 lengths 9th on the Toowoomba Cup over 2000m on 26 September.

5. Free Fly Too

He has improved at each of his three starts this time in. second-up he finished 3 lengths 2nd in the Listed Brisbane Handicap over1 630m at Doomben on 12 September, then he led into the home turn and was run down in the final strides for 0.1 length 2nd in te Toowoomba Cup on 26 September where the 3rd horse was another 4 lengths back. Should be in the finish.

6. Fastnet Cyclone

This Fastnet Rock gelding is in great form this campaign. He hit the front at the 250m and drew away for a 3 length win over 2218m at Eagle Farm on 9 September, then took over at the 250m and won by a good 1.75 lengths over 2200m at Gold Coast on 19 September. He goes well on slow going and is one of the main chances.

7. Stardome

He has placed at both of his latest two starts and is bred for distance. He led on the home turn but was beaten into 1.75 lengths 2nd over 2200m at Gold Coast on 19 September, then led to the home turn again and was headed for 1.25 lengths, 0.75 length 3rd over 2400m at Eagle Farm on 3 October. He is on a seven-day back-up and can handle soft going. Not the worst.

8. Ready For Danger

Finished 12.8 lengths 6th in the Tuncurry-Forster Cup over 2100m on 11 September, then was 0.28 length, 2.29 lengths 3rd on the Lismore Cup over 2110m on 24 September. Has two wins over this distance but looking elsewhere.

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

The track was rated as Good 4

There were no scratchings.