3 minute read
The final Group 1 feature race of the Melbourne autumn headlines a huge Saturday of racing at HQ.
For more racing and sports previews, visit the Ladbrokes Blog.
Won by some of the biggest names to ever grace the Australasian turf, the time-honoured Australian Cup features another star-studded field this year, as Mr Brightside attempts to turn the tables on All-Star Mile winner Pride Of Jenni, and the likes of Atishu, Cascadian and Legarto try to spoil the party.
Another nine quality races will also be run and won, and you can find all of our selections and 2024 Australian Cup Day Preview below.
RACE 1 - 12:15PM: Lexus Melbourne Cup Tour Handicap (1100m)
Rich Fortune is hard fit and gets back into a very appropriate race at Flemington on Saturday.
The Jerome Hunter-trained mare is yet to strike in six spaced runs this time in, but she was decent through the line in Group 1 company here at Flemington before a luckless run up in Sydney.
The big drop in class is key and she might not be offered a better opportunity to win in Saturday metro company.
2 Units Rich Fortune
RACE 2 - 12:45PM: Vale John Russell (1100m)
Flying On A Limb finished second behind a fit Plus Fours at Caulfield earlier this month and looks a great chance of going well better on Australian Cup Day.
The Flying Artie mare was excellent last time in, winning three of four starts and finding form around some classy opposition.
With natural improvement, something like this looks well within her abilities.
2 Units Flying On A Limb
RACE 3 - 1:20PM: Furphy Mile (1600m)
Arran Bay loves racing here at HQ and looks primed for another big performance here this week.
The Phillip Stokes-trained gelding returned to winning form over 1400m here two starts back, and he was far from disgraced in Listed company at Caulfield last time out, finishing two lengths behind the winner.
Hard-fit and under ideal conditions this week, I can't find a reason why he won't be in the finish.
2 Units Arran Bay
RACE 4 - 1:55PM: Group 3 Thoroughbred Breeders Stakes (1200m)
Ameena puts her unbeaten record on the line in the Thoroughbred Breeders Stakes, and it does look the next logical target for her.
The Tassort filly stamped herself as one to watch with a dominant four-length win on debut at Bendigo last month, and she franked that performance with another two-length victory on the Heath at Caulfield last time.
Fitter third-up, I am confident that she can continue her rise through the grades.
3 Units Ameena
RACE 5 - 2:30PM: Listed ATA/Bob Hoysted Handicap (1000m)
What You Need makes his eagerly awaited return to the races in this Listed sprint and I am happy to be with him until he gives me a reason not to be.
What You Need won on debut at Geelong back in August of 2022 before immediately going to the paddock, and he kept alive his unbeaten record in two starts last year, including a Listed sprint here at Flemington.
He is about a year between runs, but that hasn't proven to be a problem previously, and Craig Williams can give him every chance.
1 Unit What You Need
RACE 6 - 3:05PM: Rubaroc Grand Handicap Classic (2000m)
Lauding has found peak condition and can record another metro win at Flemington on Australian Cup Day.
The Ciaron Maher-trained gelding has continued to improve with each run back this time, and he was rewarded for his building form and consistency with a dominant win at The Valley late last month.
Having repeated the dose over 2040m with 61kgs in tow last time out, he's earned a crack at Saturday company and looks to have conditions to suit once more.
2 Units Lauding
RACE 7 - 3:40PM: Listed Sunlight Classic (1100m)
I Am Unstoppable finished down the order in the Black Caviar Lightning Staked fresh from a spell, but steps out in a far more suitable race at Flemington on Saturday.
The I Am Invincible colt was a strong and consistent performer throughout 2023, finding form around some of the best sprinters of his age group and ultimately ending his year second in the Coolmore Stud Stakes.
With natural improvement, he can bounce back this weekend.
4 Units I Am Unstoppable
RACE 8 - 4:15PM: Group 1 Australian Cup (2000m)
Just nine gallopers have been confirmed, but what the 2024 Australian Cup field lacks in size, it certainly makes up for in quality.
I've put Atishu on top, but find my thoughts on every galloper and my complete 2024 Australian Cup Tips RIGHT HERE.
2 Units Atishu
1 Unit E/W Legarto
RACE 9 - 4:55PM: Listed Roy Higgins Quality (2600m)
I'm happy to give Group 1 winner Dunkel another chance, getting back to Flemington and further out in trip in Saturday's Roy Higgins Quality.
Dunkel recorded consecutive wins in a couple of quality 2000m metro contests second and third-up this time, but he was well beaten by the likes of Ashrun in the Pakenham Cup last time out, in what was a rare flat performance.
He's reportedly in peak order this week, and Billy Egan can give him every chance in running in this genuine staying test.
1 Unit E/W Dunkel
RACE 10 - 5:35PM: HKJC x World Pool Handicap (1400m)
The consistent Rheinberg steps out in the last on Australian Cup Day second-up and primed to strike.
Rheinberg recorded four wins from as many starts last time in, ending his prep with some impressive performances in metro company, while he was unlucky not to pick up where he left off when beaten a nostril in BM84 company at Ballarat.
His second-up record is excellent, and this looks a perfect race for him.
2 Units Rheinberg
