The traditional Group 3 Summer Cup will take place at Randwick on Sunday, complimenting a huge day of racing right around the country.
Ten races make up the program, and our best bets for every one of them can be found below.
Preview brought to you by Neds. Learn more about Neds HERE.
Race 1: Drinkwise Plate (1100m) – 11:40am
Tip: No. 3 Hard to Say
Command Approved has drawn awkwardly, but he could be worth thought if there’s rain about.
The Spirit of Boom colt won well on debut on a Heavy 9 in Canberra last month and is on the 10-day backup following a narrow fourth last week at Wyong.
Hard to Say should find this easier coming off a runner-up performance in a Listed race at Eagle Farm two weeks ago. He’s fitter for three runs back and looks ready to win now.
Russian Conquest doesn’t have a jock as I type, but he’s worth including in multiples after winning on debut at Newcastle over shorter. Looked in great order at the trials last week and has drawn well.
Race 2: Class 3 Handicap (1100m) – 12:15pm
Tip: No. 3 Anethole
Anethole made up a stack of ground when resuming at Tamworth last month, a run he can only improve on now as he gets out over more ground.
The Exceed and Excel gelding has returned a place in two of his four starts over this journey, while he’s also found the money in all three of his starts on soft going.
Cody Morgan’s five-year-old won his maiden second-up from a spell at Newcastle last year, and based on recent form, he looks the one to beat.
Race 3: Bowerman’s Handicap (1600m) – 12:50pm
Tip: No. 4 Kirwan’s Lane
Kirwan’s Lane ticks most of the boxes here.
John O’Shea’s gelding has been contesting much tougher races than this recently, albeit to mixed results.
He wasn’t beaten by much first-up in the Goulburn Cup, and his recent run in the Group 2 Villiers Stakes over this track and trip is worth forgiving after he ran into traffic down the straight.
He’s a four-time winner over the mile, has won third-up previously, and handles rain-affected going. Back in grade, there’s lots to like.
Race 4: Midway Handicap (2000m) – 1:25pm
Tip: No. 3 Rebel Rama
Very open race with a case to be made for a few.
I’ve gone with Rebel Rama on top. Just thought she was unlucky when wide last time on heavy going at Rosehill, but the way she finished off for second was super impressive.
She presents fitter for four runs back, and the fact she’s won and placed in two starts over this trip is obviously a big plus. Will need luck from the draw, but no knock on his wet track form either.
Big respect for Made By Khan, who steps out in search of his hat-trick. Same goes for Sepulchre, who is a six-time winner over the journey.
Race 5: Bisley Workwear Handicap (1800m) – 2:00pm
Tip: No. 6 Outlandos
Outlandos finished a clear second to Sunday’s rival Dhakuri last time out on the Kensington track, but I think he can turn the tables here with a little more fitness under his belt.
The son of Dissident got clear out wide and really closed off well despite coming into contact with another runner.
He’s got wins to his name over further, and with Hugh Bowman retaining the ride, I’m expecting the pair to be arriving on the scene late.
Race 6: Fujitsu General Handicap (1200m) – 2:35pm
Tip: No. 8 Lady of Luxury
This looks a nice race bounce-back race for the Bjorn Baker-trained Lady of Luxury.
The mare out of Criterion was a back-to-back winner at Gosford and Canterbury earlier in her prep before striking a Heavy 10 two runs back where she ran third.
Her most recent start saw her finish off only fairly along the rail over a touch shorter, but back out to 1200m should looks to be ideal.
Providing she doesn’t get too far back, she’ll be right in this.
Race 7: Group 3 Schweppes Summer Cup (2000m) – 3:10pm
Tip: No. 2 So You Win
There’s a case to be made for a few in the Summer Cup, but I quite like the look of So You Win at a price.
This son of So You Think flew home to score at Doomben on soft ground last time out, his third win over 2000m in his career.
He’s drawn to get back and run on again from barrier 3, and with three runs under his belt, he’s a good chance of going on with it in his return to Sydney.
Race 8: Hyland Race Colours Handicap (1200m) – 3:50pm
Tip: No. 6 Papal Warrior
Papal Warrior caught the eye during the winter when he rattled off back-to-back wins at Rosehill over further.
He has scored over this trip previously, and while his latest effort at Kembla Grange in August left a lot to be desired, he did look in good order in a recent trial.
The son of Fastnet Rock has done some of his best work fresh in the past, and with some good wet track form to his name, he’s worth a look each way.
Race 9: Chandon Garden Spiritz Handicap (1400m) – 4:30pm
Tip: No. 6 Blesk
Blesk has hardly put a foot wrong over the last six months and is the deserving contest in a very winnable race.
The five-year-old by Savabeel scored second-up at Kensington earlier in October and has since gone on to run back-to-back second’s at Rosehill and Randwick over the same trip.
He’s drawn awkwardly, but with the blinkers back on, he’ll take beating if Hugh Bowman can save his best for late.
Race 10: Heineken 3 Handicap (1600m) – 5:10pm
Tip: No. 2 Waihaha Falls
Waihaha Falls looks to be a real horse of ability for trainer John O’Shea.
The Sacred Falls gelding was an impressive winner on debut at Kensington earlier in the year, and he’s since added to his record by scoring narrowly at Rosehill three weeks ago over 1500m.
This is his first look at the mile, but the way he punched clear late to win in his latest suggested he’ll see it out.
With a win to his name on heavy going, a potentially wet track probably won’t worry him either.
