Historical Analysis of the Kingsford Smith Cup
Given G1 status a few years back now, this sprint was a perfect lead up to the Doomben 10,000.
However the races were swapped and upped to be 1300m. It has been won by several high quality sprinters and some regular Doomben heroes like Falvelon, Chief de Beers and Buck’s Pride.
Then of course we saw Black Caviar vs Hay List. It has been won recently by interstate visitors so will the trend continue, albeit Albert The Fat got in the road.
PROFILING THE RACE
o Was switched to Eagle Farm in 2013 to try and attract Black Caviar. Didn’t work as she was retired.
o Became the Kingsford Smith Cup run at Eagle Farm in between the new 10000 and Stradbroke.
o Smallish fields have meant barriers are as important but it’s always good to draw inside in a G1 at Doomben.
o Apache Cat broke a string of beaten favs but besides Caviar, outsiders have been prevalent.
o Interstate jockeys and trainers have taken most of the spoils recently.
o Race became G1 in 2006 and it has attracted a better grade of horse.
o Last 10 Winners Most Prevalent Age of winner - 5yo (4 times)
o Last 10 Winners Average Price of winner - $11
o Breakdown of winners - 6 geldings, 2 colts, 1 filly & 1 mare
o Races that the winner ran in prior - TJ Smith Stks (2), The Galaxy (1), Surround Stks (1), Victory Stks (2), All Aged Stks (2), Spell (1), Star Kingdom Stks (1)
RECENT WINNERS
2016 - MALAGUERRA 4g (Magnus x Tennessee Morn) ($7)
Jockey: Glen Colless, Trainer: Lee & Anthony FreedmanBarrier: 8, Weight: 58.5kg, Gross Time: 1:08.73
Margin: 0.1L, Track: Good (3), Starters: 132nd: Dothraki (58.5kg), 3rd: Japonisme (57.0kg)
Review: It had been a long time between drinks for the Freedmans in winning G1s.
With Lee back in the training fold, in Malaguerra they had found a promising sprinter who had won twice during the Flemington carnival. He was tested in the All Aged but that was too tough.
However the BTC Cup was a level below that. He sat outside the speed and looked ready to be swallowed up by Dothraki.
However with the back markers not in it, he fought back and held on by a nose. There were some unlucky horses like Delectation and Artlee lost the rider after the line.
2015 - HOT SNITZEL 6g (Snitzel x Flames Of Paris) ($26)
Jockey: Blake Shinn, Trainer: Peter & Paul SnowdenBarrier: 2, Weight: 58.5kg, Gross Time: 1:09.47
Margin: 0.8L, Track: Good (4), Starters: 132nd: Knoydart (58.5kg), 3rd: Our Boy Malachi (58.5kg)
Review: This had been an upset race for many years and once again it failed to disappoint. There were issues pre-race with Sacred Star scratched, Srikandi missing the start and horses disappointing like El Roca.
Our Boy Malachi had been in great form and was having his first go at the big time. While he led on his ear, Blake Shinn was in the middle of a remarkable day with five winners. He had Hot Snitzel right behind the speed.
As El Roca wiltered, he popped off the fence, ran down the leader and staved them off. He’d had success in Queensland before winning the Sires but that was four years prior. This was his first run for the Snowdens and they had the magic touch.
2014 - FAMOUS SEAMUS 5g (Elusive City x Clinique) ($21)
Jockey: Ryan Wiggins, Trainer: Noel Mayfield-SmithBarrier: 4, Weight: 58.5kg, Gross Time: 1:09.06
Margin: 0.5L, Track: Good (3), Starters: 72nd: Spirit Of Boom (58.5kg), 3rd: Buffering (58.5kg)
Review: This race was all about Buffering. He was supposed to come home and finally get his coronation on Brisbane soil. Funny how racing isn’t so straight forward.
He’d just missed the start in the TJ and while he wouldn’t have beaten Lankan Rupee, he was racing behind horses instead of on the rail.
Sadly for him the same thing happened. After that it was anybody’s race. Famous Seamus had contested many of the G1s in Sydney and been found out but things fell into place here.
With the race upset in style, Wiggins allowed him to stride up at the 400m and when the leaders buckled he soared on by. Mayfield-smith had had Brisbane G1 success before but not for many years. This was Wiggins first though.
