SYDNEY CUP 2020 PREVIEW
RANDWICK RACE 7 – 15:15 AEST
3YO & UP
3200m
$1,000,000
SOFT 6
Rail OUT 4m entire
| # | Form | Horse | Trainer | Jockey (barrier) | Weight (kg) | Current Price |
| 1 | 0x122 | MUSTAJEER | K LEES | N RAWILLER (4) | 57.5 | $5 |
| 2 | x19x1 | YOUNG RASCAL | W HAGGAS | TOM MARQUAND (10) | 56.0 | $2.45 |
| 3 | 6x700 | HUSH WRITER | G WATERHOUSE & A BOTT | TIM CLARK (8) | 54.5 | $23 |
| 4 | 0x661 | RAHEEN HOUSE | K LEES | B AVDULLA (3) | 54.0 | $8 |
| 5 | 4x974 | GALLIC CHIEFTAIN | ARCHIE ALEXANDER | J R COLLETT (7) | 53.5 | $13 |
| 6 | x3857 | THE CHOSEN ONE | M B & A FORSMAN | K MCEVOY (6) | 53.5 | $17 |
| 7 | 31377 | AZURO | C MAHER & D EUSTACE | G SCHOFIELD (12) | 53.0 | $26 |
| 8 | x7896 | YOGI | C MAHER & D EUSTACE | JEAN VAN OVERMEIRE (2) | 52.5 | $26 |
| 9 | 89575 | ANGEL OF TRUTH | G MARKWELL | S CLIPERTON (13) | 52.5 | $12 |
| 10 | 41634 | ETAH JAMES | C MAHER & D EUSTACE | G BOSS (9) | 51.0 | $26 |
| 11 | 0x477 | SWEET THOMAS | M SMITH | MS R KING (11) | 51.0 | $67 |
| 12 | 057x5 | SAUNTER BOY | K LEES | J FORD (5) | 51.0 | $41 |
| 13 | 32711 | CORNCRAKE | M SMITH | MS K O'HARA (1) | 51.0 | $19 |
OVERVIEW
The Sydney Cup is run over the same distance as the Melbourne Cup but it’s clear that it lacks the firepower of the South’s equivalent. That’s not to say a quality field hasn’t been assembled this year though. Headlined by the combination of French raider Young Rascal and jockey Tom Marquand who proved far too strong for popular stayers Mugatoo and Supernova first up.
SPEED MAP
The Sydney Cup should be a genuinely run affair, with Hush Writer, Young Rascal and Angel of Truth all set to challenge the lead from wider barriers in the early stages. Etah James should be able to slot in behind them and Mustajeer might push forward from barrier 4. Backmarker Yogi will round out the field.
KEY RUNNERS
- MUSTAJEER ($5.00)
Mustajeer has been very solid this prep, finishing either first or second in all of his runs. I think he’ll be better over further and he brings some solid overseas form around 2800m. His only run at 3200m was in last year’s Melbourne Cup but he didn’t run to his best. He’s an improving stayer on the way up and looks in with a chance here.
- YOUNG RASCAL ($2.45)
Was given an absolute pearler of a ride from Tom Marquand in his debut Australian run to score in the Group 3 Manion Cup. Not taking anything away from that effort however, as it was an impressive Australian debut. He’s an exciting prospect but has never seen this distance before.
- HUSH WRITER ($23)
Hush Writer doesn’t quite have the form that some of these in the market do but he looks an interesting prospect. He led them along at a strong tempo last start at Mornington and weakened late last start. He’ll enjoy an improving Randwick surface and maps to get a soft lead. Conditions have been favourable to leaders in recent times and if he can get the right run here, he could prove tough to get past.
BLUEY’S PICK
- MUSTAJEER ($5.00)
I’m excited to see what Mustajeer can do over 3200m. His only effort was in last year’s Melbourne Cup, which is a high pressure race. This is a much easier field and he brings some solid overseas staying form.
