The $2 million Sydney Cup is one of four Group 1 races taking place on Day 2 of The Championships at Royal Randwick on Saturday.
Last start Manion Cup winner Favorite Moon has opened the favourite in the two-mile classic, while Ciaron Maher and David Eustace appear to have a great chance at winning the race for a second year in a row with Irish import Southern France.
This shapes up as one of the most wide-open races on the program, and you can find our thoughts on all 16 runner in our 2021 Sydney Cup Preview.
The Chosen One
The Chosen One has once again struggled for luck at the barriers.
The son of Savabeel struggled to overcome a wide draw last time out in the Tancred Stakes that saw him finish 10 lengths off the winner Sir Dragonet at Rosehill.
His form prior does read well for this contest though if Hugh Bowman can offset the wide gate nice and early.
The five-year-old finished runner-up in the Group 1 Herbie Dyke Stakes at Te Rapa in his return to work and was seen doing his best work late for sixth in the Sky High Stakes second-up.
After finishing only a length third in the Caulfield Cup to Verry Elleegant and Anthony Van Dyck during the spring, there’s a case to be made for him running a place.
Southern France
Southern France has mixed his form since returning to work, but he does look a live chance on Saturday with 4kg off his back.
Ciaron Maher and David Eustace’s Irish raider struggled to make up ground from out wide last time out in the Tancred Stakes, but his form prior suggests he should be in this for a long way.
The son of Galileo was seen doing his best work late in the Chipping Norton two runs back, while he also has some strong form around the likes of Master Of Reality and Melbourne Cup winner Twilight Payment during his time in Europe.
He was a touch disappointing in the 2019 Cup, but it’s safe to say we are yet to see the best from this horse. Any extra sting out of the track should help his cause.
Sound
Sound is back for another crack at a Sydney Cup after running eighth in this same race two years ago.
The German import has proven himself previously over this trip winning a Group 2 race in Europe earlier in his career before finding the money in the last two editions of the Auckland Cup.
He should appreciate the drop in weight, but the way he finished off last time out in the Tancred suggests he’s likely to struggle.
Quick Thinker
Quick Thinker returns on the quick backup after claiming last week’s Group 2 Chairman’s Quality by a narrow margin over Rondinella.
The Forsman-trained four-year-old showed an enormous turn of foot to claim the win right on the line, but he does look a query racing over the 3200m for the first time.
Chapada
Chapada wasn’t far off them when a length third three runs back in the Australia Cup at Flemington before struggling to overcome a three-wide position last time out in the Tancred.
Like most, he’s unproven over the 3200m, but does warrant some respect with defending Sydney Cup winner Glen Boss booked to ride for the first time.
The five-year-old is rock-hard fit for four runs back and is worth a thought in multiples from an ideal draw.
Shraaoh
2019 Sydney Cup winner Shraaoh is having his third run back from a spell after finishing last in the Tancred Stakes a fortnight ago.
Chris Waller’s Irish import made up big ground for third at Eagle Farm last June, but has made only two starts since then.
He should appreciate getting in with only 52kg on his back, but is still tough to recommend based on how little we’ve seen of him recently.
Miami Bound
The wide barrier proved no problem for Miami Bound last time out in the Tancred where she made up a stack of ground from the rear to run on for third.
The 2019 Oaks winner will likely enjoy a similar sit on Saturday under Craig Williams for the first time and there is no question she is one of the top each-way prospects in the race.
Danny O’Brien’s mare has failed to find the money in two starts over this trip, but if Williams can find daylight down the straight, her turn of foot should make her hard to hold out.
Spirit Ridge
Spirit Ridge rattled off back-to-back wins at Randwick over the New Year period and was far from disgraced in his Group 1 debut finishing three lengths fifth to Sir Dragonet in the Tancred.
How he handles the rise to the 3200m looks the main query, but he does look capable of running a place if Robbie Dolan can let him run the race on his own terms up front.
The blinkers come off for the first time and any chance of rain would only strengthen his place claims.
Signora Nera
Signora Nera has not had a spell since making her debut at Awapuni back in July of last year.
She has had 10 starts in that time for two wins and has failed to finish better than fifth in her two Australian runs so far.
She was far from disgraced in the Adrian Knox Stakes last Saturday when 3.7 lengths behind Duais but she is another that will need to improve to beat the top line fillies at the top of the market.
Brenton Avdulla is booked and will jump from barrier six.
Hush Writer
Hush Writer is racing on the short backup after fading late for seventh last week in the Chairman’s Quality.
It’s been well over a year since he last won a race and he’s only going to find this tougher.
Favorite Moon
Favorite Moon will make his second start in Australia after bolting in to win the Group 3 Manion Cup on debut at Rosehill two weeks ago.
William Haggas’ four-year-old went around as a $6.50 shot that day, but after only winning by a narrow margin, it’s fair to say he’s a touch under the odds heading into the Sydney Cup.
Kerrin McEvoy did well to tuck in just off the speed before producing him down the straight, but with plenty likely rolling forward on Saturday, it will be interesting to see where he lands.
Young Rascal won the Manion last year and then failed to fire as the favourite in the Sydney Cup. After just beating home weaker company last time out, a similar story might unfold this year.
Rondinella
Rondinella is on the quick backup after being gunned down by Quick Thinker in last week’s Chairman Quality.
The mare by Ocean Park ran on well for fourth in this same race two years ago to finish 2.5L behind Avilius and should appreciate the 3kg drop in weight on Saturday.
Andre Adkins replaces Robbie Dolan in the saddle and he looks to have plenty of options at his disposal from barrier 7.
A place looks a nice bet if the pair can box-seat behind the speed.
She’s Ideel
She’s Ideel is looking to break a run of recent placings that dates all the way back to February.
The Dundeel mare resumed to finish only two lengths third to Subpoenaed in the Millie Fox Stakes at Rosehill and has only improved getting out over further.
Her late run to get up for second behind Sir Dragonet in the Tancred was full of merit and there’s no doubt she’ll be fighting out the finish again with some weight off her back.
Unproven over this distance, but the way she found the line last time out suggests she can handle the rise in trip.
Realm Of Flowers
Realm Of Flowers is out for some revenge on Favorite Moon after coming off second-best to the German last time out in the Manion Cup.
The Freedman-trained mare overcame a wide position to just miss out on the spoils, a run that suggested she is capable of handling further after making up some good ground late.
While her recent form makes for easy reading though, she’d likely appreciate some sting out of the track on Saturday.
If it firms up, don’t be surprised if her price drifts even further.
Sacramento
Sacramento is on the quick turnaround after failing to finish off in last week’s Chairman’s Quality.
The son of Pierro really didn’t handle the hot tempo last week, and with plenty of early speed on offer in this race, it’s tough to see him finishing off over further from what is likely another forward showing.
Good Idea
Good Idea has raced well since returning to work back in February and rewarded punters for their patience with a comfortable 3.5L win in the Adelaide Cup at Morphettville over this trip two runs back.
The fact he is one of the few horses in the field with a win over the 3200m makes him a chance and the inside draw should afford him a very comfortable run just off the speed.
With plenty of fitness on his side and some consistent form to match, he’s definitely worth a wager each-way at the current $18.00 quote.
Selino
Selino has been working up to a win since venturing to Australia back in the spring.
Chris Waller’s British raider has improved since rising through the grades and can definitely take improvement into this race after getting a little too far back under Craig Williams in last week’s Chairman Quality for fourth.
He’ll appreciate a firm track and rates as a knockout chance after flirting with a win all prep.
Sydney Cup Tips
Southern France at $7.00