2017 Caloundra Cup Day has drawn nine talent-filled fields to the Sunshine Coast on Saturday afternoon, highlighted by three black type feature races.
Benzini will take his place in the Caloundra Cup field. Photo: Daniel Costello
A number of outstanding horses will be in action on the Sunshine Coast this weekend and we have analysed every runner in detail, in order to help you find a winner on Caloundra Cup Day.
The action on 2017 Caloundra Cup Day is set to get underway with the running of a BenchMark 90 race over 1000m at 12:07pm, while the first black type race will be run at 3:17pm.
Race 1 (12:07pm) XXXX BenchMark 90 Handicap (1000m)
Nine runners have been confirmed in the final field for Race 1 on Caloundra Cup Day. Godolphin runner Badajoz (barrier 8) has finished a close second in each of his two starts this time and is undoubtedly offered his best chance of a return to winning form in this race. Sir Donald (barrier 4) is this biggest danger, having won both his two starts this campaign and with the notable advantage of Jeff Lloyd in the saddle, from an ideal draw. Misery (barrier 3) is more than capable of his day, but will need to recapture his early campaign form if he is any chance, while topweight Sony Legend (barrier 7) is also not without a chance under the conditions of the race and amongst this quality of company.
Tip: No. 2 Badajoz ($2.90)
Race 2 (12:42pm) Summerveld Racing Stables BM85 (1600m)
An open field of ten will step out for Race 2 at Caloundra, including classy local Blackjack Bella (barrier 10). The Casino Prince mare has not finished outside of the placings through her last five starts and should again prove tough to beat in this race. Monteux’s (barrier 5) chances took a boost when he was allocated an ideal barrier and he is sure to carry plenty of benefit into this race. Steamin’ (barrier 3) has steadily built to the task this time and could receive the run of the race from an ideal draw, while Save The Date (barrier 4) is weighted well and carries winning form into the race. Three-year-old Mia Rosa (barrier 4) has also accepted into the Sunshine Coast Guineas field and will be the horse to beat, should trainer Mike Moroney choose to saddle her in this race.
Tip: No. 4 Steamin’ ($4.20)
Race 3 (1:17pm) Butler McDermott Lawyers Ratings 0-70 Handicap (1400m)
The conditions of Race 3 has led to an extremely open field accepting and there is plenty of value to be taken from a betting perspective, as a result. Strindberg (barrier 21) has been charged with overcoming an awkward alley, but he is undoubtedly faced with his best opportunity of a return to winning form this weekend and will be ridden by Jeff Lloyd. Unbowed (barrier 15) went close last start and should only improve into this race, while Sweet Adeline (barrier 12) also appears ready to peak in form. Belflyer (barrier 8) and Bold Peak (barrier 1) both have the class to be in the finish of this race and should receive plenty of favours from inside draws. Get On (barrier 5) is unlucky not to have gained an automatic start and will be hard to run down, should she gain a position in the running field.
Tip: No. 7 Strindberg – Each Way ($12/$3.80)
Race 4 (1:57pm) Wimmers Premium Soft Drinks Bruce McLachlan Memorial 2YO Handicap (1200m)
Several exciting two-year-olds will step out in Race 4 on Caloundra Cup Day. Ilovevegas (barrier 11) is saddled by the in-form Ben Currie stable and returned to the races for a convincing win at Toowoomba a fortnight ago. Miss Miao (barrier 9) has shown plenty of ability through her short career and is primed for a big performance in this race, while Dynatic’s (barrier 1) record stands at one win from as many starts and she should be right in the finish once more on Saturday. Acceptile (Barrier 12) will have to overcome a wide barrier, but will partnered by veteran hoop Damian Browne and is more than up to the class of this race.
Tip: No. 7 Ilovevegas – Each Way ($15/$4.30)
Race 5 (2:37pm) BOQ Mooloolaba 3YO Handicap (1200m)
A capacity field has also been drawn to Race 5, including horses like Secret Mo (barrier 4), Care To Think (barrier 8) and Clockwork Orange (barrier 18). Secret Mo has steadily built to the task, through the grades this time in and worth of his position in this field following a credible third at the Sunshine Coast last time out. Care To Think savaged the line for second in the Grafton Guineas Prelude (1420m) on May 29th and should relish a step back in distance and company. Clockwork Orange returned from a freshen-up to win a Sunshine Coast race by five lengths on June 14th and is the horse to beat once more on Saturday. Steve Tregea’s stable has been in terrific form and will be represented by Prioritise (barrier 20) in this race.
Tip: No. 9 Clockwork Orange ($4.20)
Race 6 (3:17pm) Listed Caloundra Cup (2400m)
A smart field of stayers will step out for the Caloundra Cup, including Benzini. A black type winner in Australia previously, the Kiwi raider has gone extremely close through three starts this time and was last seen running a handy second in the Listed Ipswich Cup (2150m) a fortnight ago. Winner of the Ipswich Cup, Self Sense (barrier 8) should only improve into this race, whole Supply And Demand (barrier 9) is seeking a third-consecutive win in the race. Neverland (barrier 12) has been yet to return to winning form this time, but should relish the conditions at the Sunshine Coast and will find a good position off the early pace from the outside barrier. War Baby (barrier 2) has been strong and consistent this time and is not without a chance of posting an upset in the Caloundra Cup.
Tip: No. 1 Benzini – Each Way ($7.50/$2.35)
Race 7 (3:57pm) Listed Glasshouse Handicap (1400m)
One of the strongest fields in recent memory has been confirmed for the Glasshouse Handicap and there is a case to be made for nearly all fifteen runners. The Virginian (barrier 7) was luckless in the Eye Liner Stakes a fortnight ago and should relish the conditions here, while Too Good To Refuse (barrier 4) has found terrific form of late and will enjoy the long straight on the Sunshine Coast. Yesterday’s Songs (barrier 1) is more than capable amongst this company on his day, while there is nothing to say that Eye Liner winner Monsieur Gustave (barrier 9) can’t repeat that performance once more. The Monstar (barrier 5), Maryore (barrier 11) and William Wallace (barrier 14) are all worth consideration.
Tip: No. 6 Yesterday’s Songs – Each Way ($9.50/$3.30)
Race 8 (4:32pm) Group 3 Sunshine Coast Guineas (1600m)
A talented and capacity field will step out for the Group 3 Sunshine Coast Guineas and this is another race which is particularly open from a betting perspective. Crack Me Up (barrier 14) performed well amongst open company last time out, while Acatour (barrier 13) undoubtedly has the class to win the race, as well as the notable advantage of Jeff Lloyd aboard. Faraway Town (barrier 18) is ready to peak but probably won’t take her position in this field after drawing a wide gate, while all of Mia Rosa (barrier 9), Constantine (barrier 7), Zamex (barrier 2) and Rothabye (barrier 21) are not without a chance of being crowned the Sunshine Coast Guineas winner.
Tip: No. 1 Acatour ($4)
Race 9 (5:08pm) Yalumba Wines Winter Provincial Sprinters Final (1200m)
Several impressive sprinters will contest the final race on Caloundra Cup Day; the Winter Provincial Sprinters Final. Ragazzo Del Corsa (barrier 11) has finished second at his three most-recent starts and will be tough to beat under the conditions of this race, while local Spur Le Jouer (barrier 7) is sure to have taken plenty of benefit from his first-up third on the Sunshine Coast on June 4th. Cobra Quick (barrier 8) has found strong and consistent form leading into the race, while topweight Saipain (barrier 17) is seeking a fourth-consecutive race win when he takes his position in this field.
Tip: No. 16 Ragazzo Del Corsa ($8)
