Track: Good   Weather: Fine

There is a full field of 16 runners plus 2 emergencies for the $200,000 Wyong Cup and three of them are trained at Wyong. Following the early scratching of Blue Soldier, the first emergency Onemore Sapphire will get a run. Three runners had their last start in the Group 3 Premier’s Cup at the Rosehill at Kembla Grange meeting on 28 August, and two had their last start in the Listed Rowley Mile at Hawkesbury on 19 August. Chris Waller has four runners while John O’Shea and Gai Waterhouse & Adrian Bott both have two each. There are 14 geldings and three mares.

The betting is very open and the early favourite is seven-year-old  Laure Me In who won the Premier’s Cup Prelude at Kembla Grange last start. Second favourite is Dashing Willoughby who hasn’t raced since finishing 21st in the 2020 Melbourne Cup. Third favouritism is shared between Berdibek who won the Rowley Mile last outing and Inverloch who finished 3rd in the Premier’s Cup.

Criminal Code finished 4th in the Premier’s Cup after 2nd in the Premier’s Cup Prelude. Mubariz never got clear when 8th in the Premiers Cup. Perfect Radiance won the Wyong Cup Prelim after a win at Newcastle. Sweet Thomas finished 2nd over 2800m at Flemimgton last start, while Mohican Heights finished 10th in the Spring Preview Handicap at Kembla Grange.  All other runners are currently 20 to 1 or longer.

1. Taikomochi

One of two runners for Gai Waterhouse & Adrian Bott, this eight-year-old finished 8th in the Rowley Mile when resuming after 47 weeks.

2. Dashing Willoughby

Hasn’t raced since finishing 21st in the 2020 Melbourne Cup and is one of four runners for Chris Waller. Prefer to see.

3. Inverloch

Finished 3rd in the Premier’s Cup last start in the Rosehill at Kembla Grange meeting. One of the chances.

4. Laure Me In

Won the Premier’s Cup Prelude at Kembla Grange last start.

5. Berdibek

One of two runners for John O’Shea he won the Rowley Mile last outing. Has drawn the outside barrier.

6. Sweet Thomas

This nine-year-old Dylan Thomas gelding trained by Matthew Smith is the oldest runner in the race this year. Finished 2nd over 2800m at Flemimgton last start

7. Mohican Heights

This Waller runner finished 10th in the Spring Preview Handicap at Kembla Grange.

8. Blue Soldier  = SCRATCHED

9. Criminal Code

Finished 4th in the Premier’s Cup after 2nd in the Premier’s Cup Prelude.

10. Mubariz

Never got clear when 8th in the Premiers Cup.

11. Alakahan

Has been disappointing at his last two starts and needs to improve.

12. Spencer

The wide draw won’t help him.

13. La Grisa

Unplaced in all four runs this campaign and up in trip.

14. Oakfield Missile

Unplaced in all six runs this campaign and awkwardly drawn.

15. Perfect Radiance

Won the Wyong Cup Prelim after a win at Newcastle.

16. Master Shuhood

Drawn ideally in barrier 1 and not without a chance.

17. Onemore Sapphire – 1st Emergency

Will get a run following the scratching of Blue Soldier. Has been up for a long time.

18. Commander Bell – 2nd Emergency

Has not won in four outings to Wyong before. Prefer others.

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

Jo’s Tips
4 Laure Me In
3 Inverloch
5 Berdibek
9 Criminal Code

The track was rated as Good 4.

Scratchings: 8. Blue Soldier, 14. Oakfield Missile, 17. Onemore Sapphire, 18. Commander Bell.

Result	Horse	Margin
1st	5. Berdibek
2nd	9. Criminal Code	1.66 lengths
3rd	10. Mubariz	2.77 lengths
4th	16. Master Shuhood	2.85 lengths