Historical Analysis of the Sydney Cup

SYDNEY CUP - G1 3200m

A two mile G1 test in Australia is becoming a thing of the past. Perth and Brisbane have reduced their Cups to a mile and a half while Adelaide stays at the 3200m but has also lost its status.

It’s doubtful the Sydney Cup would change but it needed some good winners to keep the wolves at bay and like the Metropolitan, it has had them recently.

It is unlikely there are any Makybe Divas, Tie the Knots, Kingston Towns or Galilee around at present but there is a prestigious race to win. Who takes 2018’s renewal following the madness of 2017?

PROFILING THE RACE

o The first running of the 2017 Sydney Cup was called a no race after Almoonqith broke down and the field would have to avoid him over the line.

o County Tyrone ran in an amazing SIX straight Sydney Cups for a record of 1 win, 2 x 2nd, 2 x 4th and an 8th.

o Inside to middle barriers have been the most successful - barrier 8 won it six times over 13 years.

o Mares have only won three times since 1989.

o It’s been a good race for some not so high profile trainers.

o Tie the Knot’s 57kg then Mourayan’s 58kg are the highest weights carried since 1976 which was on a lower limit.

o Last 10 Winners Most Prevalent Age of winner - 5yo (4 times)

o Last 10 Winners Average Weight of winner - 53.5kg

o Last 10 Winners Average Price of winner - $11.30

o Breakdown of winners - 7 geldings, 2 entires & 1 mare

o Races that the winner ran in prior - Chairman’s Hcp (7), The BMW (1), NE Manion Cup (1), Spell (1).

RECENT WINNERS

2017 - POLARISATION 5g (Echo Of Light x Concordia) ($6.50)

Jockey: Corey Brown, Trainer: Charlie Appleby

Barrier: 6, Weight: 51.5kg, Gross Time: 3:29.16

Margin: 0.2L, Track: Heavy (8), Starters: 14

2nd: Who Shot Thebarman (57.0kg), 3rd: Big Duke (52.0kg)

Review: It wasn’t hard to find the story line for the second running of the 2017 Sydney Cup. After the sadness of the first attempt when Almoonqith broke down and the race had to be called off, there was much discussion about that decision with one of the critics after the race being Corey Brown who won it on Polarisation.

Second time around, the pace was on as newcomer to the race Lasqueti Spirit charged away up the back straight. It helped the strongest stayer and Brown got going on the bend.

The horse who lost the rider first time around Who Shot Thebarman loomed and Big Duke battled on but Charlie Appleby got another feature staying win in Australia - this one his first G1.

2016 - GALLANTE 5h (Montjeu x Crazy Volume) ($10)

Jockey: Kerrin McEvoy, Trainer: Robert Hickmott

Barrier: 11, Weight: 51.5kg, Gross Time: 3:24.53

Margin: 1.3L, Track: Soft (5), Starters: 11

2nd: Libran (53.0kg), 3rd: Grand Marshal (55.0kg)

Review: For so many years Lloyd Williams and his team target the staying races around the country with their imports. This year’s Sydney Cup was full of ex-overseas horses but only one from that stable.

Gallante had had as many starts in Sydney as he had in Melbourne which was not usual. His Manion Cup run was solid but he needed rain and also got the best front running jockey in the business.

McEvoy got him into a rhythm and made the Waller squad have to chase from the half mile. They closed around the bend but he still had plenty in hand. Over the latter stages there was more than enough to hold the other main hopes off.

2015 - GRAND MARSHAL 5g (Dansili x Margarula) ($41)

Jockey: Jim Cassidy, Trainer: Chris Waller

Barrier: 4, Weight: 52.0kg, Gross Time: 3:24.70

Margin: 0.1L, Track: Slow (7), Starters: 11

2nd: Who Shot Thebarman (54.5kg), 3rd: Like A Carousel (52.0kg)

Review: Another roughie winner on the day but the only one to get back and come home wide. After being heavily backed every start this campaign he didn’t do much in the Chairmans.

After winning the ‘other’ long race on Melbourne Cup at Flemington, you knew he could stay. But was he good enough to beat two Melbourne Cup placegetters and the emphatic BMW winner?

Well Hartnell went to the front and got moving. He ran along and it cost him. He got tired and WSTB took the inside. He looked home but Grand Marshal surged in the last furlong to get up by a nose and gave Chris Waller the quinella.