AUSTRALIAN CUP 2020 PREVIEW
FLEMINGTON RACE 8 – 16:45 AEDT
OPEN
2000m
$1,500,000
SOFT 6 (predicted)
Rail out 8m ENTIRE
| # | Form | Horse | Trainer | Jockey (barrier) | Weight (kg) | Current Price |
| 1 | x421x | VOW AND DECLARE | D O'BRIEN | C WILLIAMS (10) | 59.0 | $12 |
| 2 | 47x54 | AVILIUS | JAMES CUMMINGS | D DUNN (9) | 59.0 | $3.50 |
| 3 | 870x7 | SUZUKA DEVIOUS | M HASHIDA | D YENDALL (8) | 59.0 | $126 |
| 4 | 80x45 | HARLEM | D & B HAYES & T DABERNIG | JAMIE KAH (2) | 59.0 | $14 |
| 5 | 66x32 | KINGS WILL DREAM | C WALLER | J M NEIL (1) | 59.0 | $7.50 |
| 6 | 161x4 | REGAL POWER | G & A WILLIAMS | W PIKE (12) | 59.0 | $6.50 |
| 7 | 56x41 | FIFTY STARS | D & B HAYES & T DABERNIG | J ALLEN (13) | 59.0 | $6.50 |
| 8 | 30x03 | MIRAGE DANCER | T B & N YOUNG | B MELHAM (6) | 59.0 | $10 |
| 9 | 1301x | SOUTHERN FRANCE | C MAHER & D EUSTACE | M J DEE (14) | 59.0 | $17 |
| 10 | 816x7 | HUSH WRITER | G WATERHOUSE & A BOTT | B RAWILLER (11) | 59.0 | $29 |
| 11 | 277x6 | VENICE BEACH | D O'BRIEN | Fred W Kersley (3) | 59.0 | $126 |
| 12 | 100x8 | CAPE OF GOOD HOPE | D & B HAYES & T DABERNIG | REGAN BAYLISS (5) | 58.5 | $51 |
| 13 | 240x9 | CONSTANTINOPLE | D & B HAYES & T DABERNIG | G BOSS (4) | 58.5 | $41 |
| 14 | 22x11 | MISS SISKA | G BEGG | D LANE (7) | 57.0 | $15 |
OVERVIEW
Top quality field here with a number of Melbourne Cup runners taking part, including last year’s winner Vow And Declare. He might find this a touch short first up but outside of him there are at least seven plus horses with a genuine shot at winning the race. The track condition may play a pivotal part in this race, however, it still looks to be a great race nonetheless.
SPEED MAP
Pace looks to be genuine here with Miss Siska and Hush Writer most likely to lead the field away here. Venice Beach should look for a position just in behind them alond with Harlem & Vow And Declare. Fifty Stars and Regal Power are drawn out wider and may find some trouble trying to slot in. Favourite Avilius should settle toward the rear of the field.
KEY RUNNERS
- AVILIUS ($3.50)
This is the trip Avilius has been looking for so far this prep. First up, he hit the line strongly from the rear of the field over 1400m, before jumping to 1600m in the Chipping Norton last week and charging home from the rear of the field to finish 2L away. Looks tough to beat here.
- HARLEM ($14)
Since he won this race last year, Harlem is yet to record another victory. However, that doesn’t mean he’s been running poorly. He’s finished close-up a number of times since then and has been running particularly well of late behind strong fields. Good outside chance to go back-to-back.
- REGAL POWER ($6.50)
This WA galloper impressed me first up. He was 8L back and the widest runner rounding the turn but was able to bridge the winning gap to just 1L behind Miss Siska. Should relish the extra distance here and second up should suit. If he can slot in during the run, he’s a big chance here.
BLUEY’S PICK
- AVILIUS ($3.50)
Despite the depth of the field here, I find it extremely hard to go past Avilius, particularly with the sting out of the ground. He has been crying out for this distance this prep and should be rock hard fit third up. He spiked third up last prep and scored a dominant 2.3L victory in the George Main Stakes. Looks very hard to beat here.
