Sydney Cup An Option For Show The World

Trainer Murray Baker has confirmed that promising stayer Show The World could return to Australia for the 2015 Sydney Cup if he performs well in the Group 1 Auckland Cup (3200m) at Ellerslie on March 4.

Show The World finished well behind Criterion (pictured) in the 2014 edition of the Rosehill Guineas. Photo by: Steve Hart

Show The World finished well behind Criterion (pictured) in the 2014 edition of the Rosehill Guineas. Photo by: Steve Hart

Show The World was sent to Australia for a 2014 Sydney Autumn Racing Carnival campaign after he took out the Group 2 The Sound Championship Stakes (2100m) at Ellerslie on New Year’s Day last year, but he failed to fire in the Group 1 Royal Randwick Guineas (1600m) on March 15, the Group 1 Rosehill Guineas (2000m) on March 29 and the Group 2 Tulloch Stakes (2000m) at Rosehill Gardens on April 5 before he returned to New Zealand after beating home just two runners in the Group 3 Frank Packer Plate (2000m) at Royal Randwick on April 26.

The High Chaparral gelding made a slow start to his spring campaign at the end of last year, but he recorded back-to-back wins in Te Rapa and Awapuni and he stamped himself as a leading contender for the Auckland Cup when he took out the Hamilton Cup at Te Rapa on Saturday.

Baker admits that Show The World was most disappointing during his previous stint in Australia, but he told Racing Ahead that he would have no hesitation sending the four-year-old back to Sydney for the Sydney Cup if he performs well in New Zealand’s most prestigious staying race.

“It was fair to say that he was disappointing,” Baker said of Show The World’s autumn campaign.

“It might have been a maturity thing, but since he has come back as a four-year-old this year he has run very well.

“I think he has run three out of six starts this time in.

“He probably needs a bit more time yet, but he is the joint favourite for the Auckland Cup and should he run well you would have to have a go at the Sydney Cup and we would get him over.”

Show The World is currently available at 2015 Auckland Cup odds of $6 and is favourite from Blizzard ($7), Perfect Start ($8), Rock Diva ($9), Graphic ($13), King Kamada ($13) and Pondarosa Miss ($13).

Baker is chasing his second win in the Sydney Cup after winning the 1992 edition of the race and finishing third with Harris Tweed in 2010 and Mr Tipsy in 2009.

About The Author

Thomas Hackett

Thomas is a passionate and opinionated racing journalist and punter who has been obsessed with horse racing since he backed Saintly to win the 1996 Melbourne Cup. An international racing enthusiast, he has his finger on the pulse of racing news not just from Australia but all around the world.