Group 3 Hawkesbury Gold Cup (1600m)
Saturday 28 April 2018
Sydney racing turns its focus to Hawkesbury and their terrific standalone meeting featuring the Hawkesbury Gold Cup among a raft of strong black-type races.
The Waterhouse/Bott trained Ecuador has opened $3.30 favourite but has been easy in early betting drifting out to $3.50. The High Chapparell gelding is the likely leader in the field and looking for his first race victory since January 2017.
There are plenty of hopes in the race with 6 horses in single-digit odds including Misters Sea Wolf ($5.50), Kingsguard ($6.50), Duca Valentinois ($6.50), Plaisir ($8) and Mccreery ($9) offering plenty of value to punters in a wide open field.
Chris Waller trained Mister Sea Wolf has been the best backed runner in early betting firming into $5.50 from a $6.50 opening quote. The Irish import was tailed off in the G1 Doncaster Mile last start and the drop in grade will be most welcomed. He was in good form going into the Donny, running 1.3L 3rd in the Doncaster Prelude and 2nd in the Newcastle Newmarket prior to that.
Godolphin, who always have a strong hand this Hawkesbury standalone meeting each year, will have Duca Valentinois flying the flag in the cup. The Holy Roman Emperor gelding won the Listed Ladies Day Cup at this track in November last year but hasn’t quite recaptured the same form this preparation. He’s had a soft barrier trial since his last start 7th in the Donny Prelude; expect him to improve and feature here.
Hawkesbury Gold Cup Odds
Ecuador $3.50
Mister Sea Wolf $5.50
Kingsguard, Duca Valentinois $6.50
Plaisir $8
Mackintosh, Lovani $16
My Nordic Hero $19
Articus $20
Destiny’s Kiss $23
