We’re racing on the Sunshine Coast this Saturday, and some of Queensland’s best gallopers will be on show in the Sunshine Coast Cup.
There’s plenty of value to be found in the nine races on the program, and you can find my complete 2022 Sunshine Coast Cup Day Tips below.
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Coastline BMW i4 BM72 Handicap (1400m) – 1:08pm AEDT
Tip: No. 3 Irukandji
This isn’t the easiest way to start a day from a betting perspective and with a case to be made for plenty, I’m going to have something of a speculative bet on Irukandji, who is debuting for the Michael Costa yard.
Irukandji spent the early part of his career under the care of Team Hawkes, before transferring to Bjorn Baker, and he has picked off some nice races along the way.
He hasn’t been seen at the races for some time, but his best does put him ahead of a lot of these rivals, and we can have a small each-way play at around the $17 mark.
Coastline BMW iX3 BM72 Handicap (1400m) – 1:43pm AEDT
Tip: No. 12 Merimee
Merimee has claims on winning the second on Sunshine Coast Cup Day, at a nice price ($11 at publish).
Merimee returned several eye-catching performances last time in, highlighted by consecutive wins at Eagle Farm and Doomben, but she clearly needed her first run back this time when failing to find behind Harlequin Field a fortnight ago.
She gets into this race well under the conditions and we can have an each-way play on this filly as well.
Coastline BMW M3 QTIS 3YO Handicap (1600m) – 2:18pm AEDT
Tip: No. 5 Gambu
Gambu has only made one appearance at the races so far, but he couldn’t have been more impressive on debut, and he can continue his rise through the grades on the Sunshine Coast.
The Chris Waller-trained gelding had a handful of trials prior to debuting and put the writing on the wall with an eye-catching effort at Ipswich, at which he greeted the judge a length ahead of his rivals.
He’ll take plenty of improvement from that experience and he can fight out the finish again.
Coastline BMW 2 Series Couple QTIS 3YO Handicap (1000m) – 2:53pm AEDT
Tip: No. 3 Rubiquitous
Rubiquitous holds a fitness edge over many key rivals in the fifth on Sunshine Coast Cup Day, and he can record another win.
The Rubick gelding returned and eye-catching performance to win over 1000m at Eagle Farm in September and was sent for a spell after failing to fire on the Gold Coast.
His resuming effort was tough, and saw him record a win over the life of Self Indulgent and Asherla at Doomben.
He strips fitter and needs only even luck in running to fight out the finish again.
Coastline BMW 4 Series Gran Coupe Open Handicap (1000m) – 3:32pm AEDT
Tip: No. 6 Startantes
Weona Smartone is clearly an outstanding galloper; he has won eight of his nine career starts, and resumed in December to strike on the Gold Coast.
He does, however, run into an even better one (in my opinion) in Startantes this week, and I’m keen to take him on.
Startantes was nothing short of outstanding throughout her spring prep, and win three races in succession before heading to Sydney for sixth in the Golden Rose, and third in the Flight Stakes most notably.
A repeat of any of those efforts would see her winning this, and I am happy to stick with her.
Coastline BMW X3 Class 3 Plate (1000m) – 4:12pm AEDT
Tip: No. 8 One Shy Ruby
One Shy Ruby has recorded two wins from as many starts back this time, and she looks well placed to make it three on the Sunshine Coast on Saturday.
One Shy Ruby dashed in to record a comfortable win here on the Sunshine Coast when resuming, and she franked that effort with an even more dominant performance at Doomben last time.
Fitter third-up and under regular rider Steph Thornton, she’s the one to beat again.
Coastline BMW X4 Class 6 Handicap (1600m) – 4:52pm AEDT
Tip: No. 1 Profit
This is a drop in class for Profit, and I think that he looks well placed to strike third-up.
The Dundeel gelding has been a strong and consistent performer for the Chris Anderson yard since debuting, and he resumed this time with a typically good effort to finish third, beaten a length and a half in the Lough Neagh Stakes.
He didn’t fire a shot in the Magic Millions Cup last time, but getting out to his pet trip with improvement on Saturday will prove ideal.
Listed Sunshine Coast Cup (1400m) – 5:32pm AEDT
Tip: No. 2 The Harrovian
The Harrovian is ready to win when he steps out in the Sunshine Coast Cup.
The Harrovian has been a revelation since transferring to Queensland, and he was typically strong in autumn and winter last year, finishing fifth in the All-Star Mile and third in the Doomben 10,000 most notably.
He takes his place in the Sunshine Coast Cup field third-up and following an eye-catching effort for third in the Bernborough Handicap.
Coastline BMW M4 Class 6 Handicap (1200m) – 6:12pm AEDT
Tip: No. 1 Hilo
I was quite impressed with Hilo’s resuming effort for fourth at Doomben when resuming this time, and I think that he is over the odds in the last on Sunshine Coast Cup Day ($16 at publish).
The former Godolphin galloper is yet to strike in three starts since joining Gillian Heinrich’s team, but he has been competitive, and we know how good that he can be at his best.
He is drawn ideally this week under King Callow and we can have an each-way play to end the day.