Track: Soft   Weather: Overcast

There are 15 runners for the $2,000,000 Sydney Cup, following the early scratching of Quick Thinker. Trainers Michael Moroney, Chris Waller and Gai Waterhouse & Adrian Bott have  two runners each. Eight of the horses had their last start in the Group 1 Tancred Stakes over 2400m two weeks ago, four in the Group 2 Chairman’s Quality Handicap over 2600m last week, two in the Group 3 Manion Cup over 2400m three weeks ago and one in the Group 3 Easter Cup over 2000m at Caulfield two weeks ago. Runners are aged from four-year-olds to eight-year-olds and include 2019 winner Shraaoh and 2020 runner-up The Chosen One. Three horses have won over the 3200m distance plus one has won over further (3350m), and there are four mares this year.

The betting is very open which is fairly normal for a big two-mile race. The early favourite is UK visitor Favorite Moon who was an impressive winner of the Manion Cup at his first Australian start. That was also his first run at Group level. Second favourite is mare Realm Of Flowers who was 2nd in the Manion Cup and meets the winner slightly better at the weights. Third favourite is Southern France who was hampered a couple of times before finishing 4.2 lengths 7th in the Tancred Stakes last outing.

She’s Ideel has placed at all four runs this preparation and was 2nd in the Tancred. She drops 7kg from that run. Miami Bound was 3rd in the Tancred and also has a big weight drop. Spirit Ridge led until the 350m in the Tancred and is fitter now. Rondinella hasn’t won for a long time but was 2nd in the Chairman’s Quality Handicap last week. The Chosen One was runner-up in this race last year and comes off 11th in the Tancred, while Selino ran 4th in the Chairman’s. All other runners are currently 20 to 1 or longer.

1. The Chosen One

This Savabeel horse was runner-up in this race last year then went on to be 3rd in the 2020 Caulfield Cup and 4th in the 2020 Melbourne Cup. Last start he finished 11th of 14 in the Tancred after covering a lot of ground. Has to be considered a place chance again.

2. Southern France

A UK import that had his first Australian start in the 2019 Melbourne Cup where he finished 19th. He only had two starts in 20120 and has had two runs this preparation resuming for 7th in the Chipping Norton then 7th in the Tancred where he made some ground. Capable of improving.

3. Sound

This eight-year-old  is one of three runners to have won over 3200m, but his win was back in 2018.In March he ran 3rd in the Group 1 Auckland Cup over 3200m (a race he ran 2nd in last year) before 12th in the Tancred. Has place prospects, particularly if the track remains soft.

4. Quick Thinker –  SCRATCHED

5. Chapada

One of two runners for Michael Moroney. Three starts back he chased hard for 3rd in the Australian Cup but then was 5th in the Mornington Cup over 2400m and 9th in the Tancred. Not the worst.

6. Shraaoh

This eight-year-old Sea The Stars gelding won this  race in 2019 after placing in his three lead-up runs. He resumed with a good 1.4 length 5th in the G3 Sky High Stakes before running last in the Tancred. Needs to improve a lot to figure here.

7. Miami Bound

She won the G2 Moonee Valley Cup over 2500m in the Spring before 14th in the Melbourne Cup at her first try over 3200m, then 7th in the Sandown Cup. Last start she worked home strongly for 3rd in the Tancred Stakes. Could show up as a chance.

8. Spirit Bridge

Last campaign he started four times for two wins and two places. Resumed for a close 2nd in the Sky High Stakes then led in the Tancred until headed at the 350m and weakening out for 5th. Drops 7.5kg from that run and could place.

9. Hush Writer

Only beat one runner home in this race last when he pulled up lame. Hasn’t been suited by the wet tracks lately and is better on firmer ground.

10. Favorite Moon

This early favourite and also the most lightly raced runner with only nine starts. He has won over 2800m twice in the UK and was a strong winner of the Manion Cup st his only Australian start. This four-year-old gelding should figure in the finish.

11. Rondinella

She ran 4th in this race in 2019 less than 3 lengths from the winner when her rider was 1 kg over weight. Chased hard for 0.2 lengths 2nd in the Chairmans last start with the best overall race sectionals and it would be no surprise to see her in the finish.

12. She’s Ideel

This five-year-old Dundeel mare has placed at all four runs this preparation. She finished 2nd in the Tancred with the best last 800m race sectional and with a 7kg drop from that run looks a winning chance.

13. Realm Of Flowers

Another mare that looks to have a genuine chance. She has started once at the 3200m for a close 2nd in the Sandown Cup in November, and came from well back for 0.3 length 2nd in the Manion Cup. She meets the winner of the race slightly better at the weights and is one of the main hopes.

14. Sacramento

Disappointed when 9.8 lengths 6th in the Chairmans after starting favourite. May have come to the end of his preparation. Did win the VRC St Leger over 2800m a year ago.

15. Good Idea

Won the Adelaide Cup over this distance by 3.5 lengths in March and was 2nd in the Adelaide Cup last year. This is a much harder race but he won by a good margin and it wouldn’t surprise to see him run well here.

16. Selino

One of two runners for Chris Waller this is the only horse in the field to have won at a distance over 3200m. In the UK he won a 3328m race by 10 lengths and was 2nd in the G2 Doncaster Cup over 3600m. Ran 4th in the Chairmans and could run a place.

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

Jo’s Tips
13 Realm Of Flowers
12 She’s Ideel
10 Favorite Moon
15 Good Idea

Group 1 Queen Elizabeth Stakes 2021 (Randwick 2000m)

Group 1 ATC Australian Oaks 2021 (Randwick 2400m)

Group 1 Coolmore Legacy 2021 (Randwick 1600m)