3 minute read
An intriguing edition of the time-honoured Australian Cup headlines the ten-race program at Flemington on Saturday.
What the Australian Cup field lacks in size, it certainly makes up for in quality, and we'll get to see the likes of Mr Brightside, Pride Of Jenni, Cascadian and Legarto chase a place in the history books and a lucrative payday.
Check out our comprehensive runner-by-runner Australian Cup preview below.
2024 Australian Cup Betting Strategy
► 2 Units Atishu (Win)
► 1 Unit Legarto (Each Way)
1 – Mr Brightside (1)
He's one of, if not the best horse currently going around in Australia, and Mr Brightside will be typically tough to beat in the Australian Cup.
Having gone to another level during his spring preparation last year, adding the Memsie Stakes and Makybe Diva Stakes to his CV most notably, Mr Brightside when within the flare of a nostril of winning the Ladbrokes Cox Plate.
He returned this time to record consecutive Group 1 wins in the CF Orr Stakes and the Futurity, and while he made up plenty of ground in the All-Star Mile a fortnight ago, he was simply way too far off the pace set by Pride Of Jenni.
While 1400m-1600m has proven to be his pet trip, his Cox Plate performance suggested that 2000m is also right in his wheelhouse, and he steps out this week in peak order.
2 – Cascadian (8)
Evergreen veteran that continues to find strong and competitive performances at the highest level.
Having recorded the biggest win of his career in this race last year, the multiple Group 1 winner hasn't managed to salute since, but he has improved noticeably with each of three runs back this time, culminating in a credible third in the All-Star Mile.
We know he'll love the conditions of this race and he is as tough as they come. Another strong performance is expected, and a victory wouldn't surprise.
3 – Vow And Declare (9)
2019 Melbourne Cup winner Vow And Declare couldn't have done much more without winning the Peter Young Stakes first-up this time, and he'll only improve into this race.
It has been more than a year since the Declaration Of War gelding saluted, but he has continued to race consistently in strong staying company, and he is right at home on the big Flemington track.
No wins at this point of his preparation is a knock, and he might find a couple of these rivals just a little too sharp.
4 – Dom To Shoot (6)
Recorded a deserved win at the highest level in the Northerly Stakes over 1800m at Ascot in December.
Has made two appearances at the races since arriving in Melbourne and appeared to have every opportunity in both, but it yet to fight into the finish.
His long odds in Australian Cup betting are justifiable.
5 – Young Werther (3)
One of the more intriguing gallopers in the 2024 Australian Cup field.
The multiple Group 1 placegetter has been a consistent performer for the Danny O'Brien yard throughout his career and has always found his best form over this route.
He finished third, beaten less than a length in the Group 3 Carlyon Cup first-up this time before recording a dominant win in the Australian Cup Prelude, and he is drawn to receive a lovely run under Damian Lane this week.
He is a live chance of fighting into the 2024 Australian Cup trifecta and might prove to be the real value in betting.
6 – Esti Feny (4)
Brings some of the most unique formlines into the Australian Cup 2024, having won a Hungarian Derby earlier in his career.
Did take a short while to find form when arriving in Australia, but won the Gosford Gold Cup in what was arguably a career-best performance in 2023.
Filled the minors behind Young Werther here earlier this month and has been back to the trials, but would need to improve lengths to trouble of some these rivals.
7 – Pride Of Jenni (7)
Has experienced a meteoric rise to prominence throughout the last six months and has been a typically popular target in early Australian Cup betting.
Won consecutive Group 1 races in the space of a week in the spring, and after just being nabbed late by Mr Brightside in the C.F. Orr Stakes first-up this time, she turned the tables with a dominant on-pace performance over a mile.
We know that Declan Bates will take her straight to the lead and try to run them ragged, but the mare is untested over 2000m.
8 – Atishu (5)
Six-year-old daughter of Savabeel that has continued to improve with each preparation since arriving in Australia.
Finally realised her Group 1 potential by winning the Queen Of The Turf Stakes at Randwick last April, but improved noticeably again in the spring and ended her campaign with a dominant Mackinnon Stakes triumph.
Her record at Flemington is absolutely outstanding, she steps out this week in winning form and could very well receive the run of the race from barrier 5.
With even luck, this is another perfect race for Atishu and she is the early Australian Cup market mover ($8 into $5.50 at publish).
9 – Legarto (2)
If there is a horse that is over the odds in 2024 Australian Cup betting, it could be Legarto ($16 at publish).
Legarto won the Australian Guineas here at Flemington last autumn, and she has picked off several nice races over in her native New Zealand since, including the Group 1 Herbie Dyke Stakes over 2000m last month.
She arrives back in Australia in peak order and should receive every chance under Mickey Dee.
