2017 Darley Kingsford-Smith Cup Day has drawn eight talent-rich fields to Eagle Farm Racecourse in Brisbane on Saturday, including the re-jigged Group 1 feature race which will be contested over 1300m.
Under The Louvre and Black Heart Bart will go head-to-head in the Group 1 Darley Kingsford-Smith Cup. Photo: Daniel Costello
Some of the Brisbane Winter Carnival’s best horses will line up at Eagle Farm on Saturday and we have analysed every runner in each race, on order to help you find a winner on 2017 Darley Kingsford-Smith Cup Day.
The action on Darley Kingsford-Smith Cup Day is due to get underway with the running of the Green Options Racing BM95 (1200m) at 11:57am and will conclude after the Group 3 Fred Best Classic (1350m) at 4:32pm.
Race 1 (11:57am) Green Options Racing Pty Ltd BM95 (1200m)
A capacity field of sixteen horses has been confirmed for Race 1 on Darley Kingsford-Smith Cup Day, including interstate raiders Savoureux (barrier 14) and Burning Passion (barrier 9). Savoureux has been reasonably inconsistent this time in, but should enjoy something of a step back in class into this race, while Burning Passion is sure to have taken benefit from his first-up fifth at Hawkesbury on April 29th. The consistent Londehero (barrier 2) finished third amongst similar company at the Gold Coast last time out and is drawn ideally for another smart performance in this race. Kiwi raider Jimmy Rea (barrier 10) will make his Australian debut in the race, but has shown plenty of promise in his homeland and is not without a chance of winning at healthy odds.
Tip: No. 6 Burning Passion ($4.60)
Race 2 (12:37pm) Group 3 Lord Mayor’s Cup (1600m)
A smart field of Saturday milers will seek black type success in the Lord Mayor’s Cup. First-up winner Religify (barrier 3) is drawn ideally, has the notable advantage of Hugh Bowman in the saddle and is the horse to beat in this field. Stable mates Amovatio (barrier 2) and Elle Lou (barrier 5) have both also performed well this time in and are live chances under the conditions of the Lord Mayor’s Cup. I’m Belucci (barrier 10) failed to produce much in his competitive return a fortnight ago, but always goes a lot better second-up and should find a handy position off the early pace from his outside barrier. Scone Cup performers Duca Valentinos (barrier 7) and Pajaro (barrier 9) are both clearly in terrific conditions and are both more than capable at the class, distance and amongst this company.
Tip: No. 2 Duca Valentinos ($5)
Race 3 (1:17pm) Group 2 BRC Sires’ Produce Stakes (1400m)
We are set for an outstanding edition of the Group 2 BRC Sires’ Produce Stakes this year and a capacity field of eighteen two-year-olds will line up for the race; the final stop on the traditional path towards the Group 1 JJ Atkins (1600m) in a fortnight. Tangled (barrier 10) produced an impressive turn of foot to win the Group 2 Champagne Classic (1200m) a fortnight ago and appears as though he will only improve at 1400m. All Too Huiying (barrier 4) was also good in the Champagne Classic and could receive the run of the race on Saturday from his barrier, and should receive a great ride from in-form hoop Brenton Avdulla. Local trainer Chris Munce is spoiled for choice with his smart crop of two-year-olds and the Eagle Farm horseman is well represented in this race by Ours To Keep (barrier 15), Saint Patricks Day (barrier 8) and Champ Elect (barrier 13). Smart kiwi filly Melody Belle (barrier 9) will make her Australian debut in the race.
Tip: No. 1 Tangled – Each Way ($5/$2)
Race 4 (1:57pm) Group 3 Premier’s Cup (2200m)
A smart field of fifteen stayers has been confirmed for the time-honoured Premier’s Cup. Jumbo Prince has returned to racing in excellent condition this time and has drawn ideally into the Premier’s Cup field in barrier 6, while he is also sure to enjoy a step up in distance and will receive a great ride from Blake Shinn. Stampede (barrier 2) has posted two black type wins and his two most recent starts and is again set for a big performance in the Premier’s Cup after drawing barrier 2. Auvray (barrier 8) failed to beat a runner home in the Group 1 Doomben Cup (2000m) last weekend, but will appreciate a step up in distance and step back in class. Neverland (barrier 15) has improved during his short time under the care of Darren Weir and looks like he is set to peak in the Premier’s Cup. Kiwi raider Chocante (barrier 7) should also carry improvement into this race and will be tough to beat.
Tip: No. 9 Chocante – Each Way ($6/$2.30)
Race 5 (2:35pm) Group 3 Grand Prix Stakes (2200m)
Shocking Luck (barrier 3) stormed home to win the Group 3 Rough Habit Plate (2000m) a fortnight ago, but he will have to improve if he is to repeat that result in the Grand Prix Stakes. The Shocking gelding did appear as though he’d only get better with distance and he should prove extremely tough to beat once more on Saturday. Multiple Group 1 winner Prized Icon returned from a freshen-up to finish second in the Scone Guineas (1400m) a fortnight ago and will enjoy the conditions of this race, while Veladero (barrier 14) is not without a hope in current form. Volatile Mix (barrier 15) won the Group 1 South Australian Derby (2500m) a fortnight ago and if he can handle the step back in distance, is over the odds at his current quote.
Tip: No. 2 Volatile Mix – Each Way ($10/$3)
Race 6 (3:15pm) Group 3 Glenlogan Park Stakes (1300m)
The Glenlogan Park Stakes is not the feature race, but the quality of horses and depth of talent means that it will probably be the most hotly-contested. Godolphin mare Raiment (barrier 15) has posted two wins from three starts this time and should be perfectly suited to the conditions of this race. There are cases to be made for Miss Cover Girl (barrier 4) Artistry (barrier 3), Egyptian Symbol (barrier 8) and Sold For Song (barrier 7), while Thames Court (barrier 17) is a particularly interesting prospect. The mare has won amongst stronger company previously and has reportedly taken well to a freshen-up. Eckstein (barrier 1) and Miss Debutante (barrier 9) will both carry benefit into the Glenlogan Park Stakes.
Tip: 6 Thames Court – Each Way ($19/$5.50)
Race 7 (3:55pm) Group 1 Darley Kingsford-Smith Cup (1300m)
Thirteen sprinters remain in contention for the feature race and there is plenty of value to be taken from a betting perspective. Black Heart Bart (barrier 4) is the class horse of the field and should prove extremely difficult to beat, with proven performer at Eagle Farm Under The Louvre (barrier 8) is more than capable of saluting at odds. Music Magnate (barrier 13) failed to fire in his last start, but will enjoy a step up to 1300m, while Counterattack (barrier 7) and Derryn (barrier 5) savaged the line to finish in the minors in the Group 1 Doomben 10,000 (1200m) a fortnight ago and will also enjoyed the increased distance. Soft track specialist Jungle Edge (barrier 14) will need early luck to find the pace from barrier 14, while classy local Hopfgarten (barrier 10) is not without a chance of pulling off a major upset at Eagle Farm.
Tip: No. 1 Black Heart Bart ($4.20 in the Enhanced Odds market at Ladbrokes.com.au)
CLICK HERE for the full 2017 Darley Kingsford-Smith Cup form guide
Race 8 (4:32pm) Group 3 Fred Best Classic (1400m)
It is an outstanding list of three-year-olds that has been confirmed for this year’s Fred Best Classic and there is a case to be made for close to every runner. Good Standing (barrier 18) returned to winning form in the Listed Queensland Day Stakes (1350m) a fortnight ago and should only take improvement into this race, while Godolphin runner Morton’s Fork (barrier 14) was completely luckless in the same race and should finish far-closer this time. Classy local Dreams Aplenty has won each of his four most-recent starts and should be right in the finish of the Fred Best Classic from the ideal barrier 6. Oink (barrier 16) and Crack Me Up (barrier 9) have both performed well amongst similar company and are over the odds and their long quotes.
Tip: No. 5 Dreams Aplenty – Each Way ($9.50/$3)
