The feature at Flemington this Saturday is the Australian Cup (2000m), where the market says it’ll be a rather intriguing contest.
Down below is a speed map, runner preview and $100 betting strategy for the 2026 Australian Cup.
2026 Australian Cup Runner Preview:
1. Tom Kitten: Got a great ride in the All Star Mile and duly saluted. I don’t see 2000m being an issue and I think from the wide gate, can slide across and settle forward. Definite threat. But, I will say, he’s very much well found.
2. Light Infantry Man: Was hard to lead at Caulfield so forgiving his Peter Young effort. Think he’ll run well…just wish E Brown wasn’t suspended.
3. Apulia: Flying this horse. Loved the way he kept chasing in the Peter Young and appears spot on for this race. Maps to do no work and he’ll be strong at the end of 2000m. He can win.
4. Just Fine: Ran an improved race in the Sky High when leading but this looks a bridge too far.
5. Birdman: Birdman is one of the hardest to beat for Chris Waller after his Peter Young triumph. He was arrogant the way he went about things and backed up what he did in the Blamey. He has come back a much better horse and is one of the hardest to beat.
6. Sabaj: Sabaj is going to take serious beating here for Price/Kent. I thought he was outstanding in the All Star Mile. First real look at the big boys and girls, and I thought he went very well, closing with real purpose behind Tom Kitten. Like him up to 2000m and confident he can measure up and only run well.
7. Mark Twain: Great return in the Blamey but suspect he may need more racing and more ground.
8. Pride Of Jenni: She’s in the Quaddie just in case, but backing her to win? No. I thought she had every possible in the All Star Mile and the bias flattered her big time. If she wins, too good, but I am against her.
9. Damask Rose: $34 seems gross unders. She should 10x that price. Got none here.
10. Leica Lucy: Leica Lucy will love getting to 2000m. She comes through the All Star Mile where she wanted to lay in under pressure but liked the way she kept finding the line in defeat behind Tom Kitten. Getting towards peak fitness and rising in trip, only runs well.
11. Basilinna: $201 is generous.
12. Philia: Making up the numbers.
2026 Australian Cup $100 Betting Strategy:
$20 Win/$80 Place Sabaj
Group l Strategy Outlay: $5100
Group l Strategy Return: $4083
Australian Cup Field
| No | Horse | Trainer | Jockey | Barrier | Weight |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | TOM KITTEN | Anthony & Sam Freedman | Craig Williams | 12 | 59kg |
| 2 | LIGHT INFANTRY MAN (FR) | Ciaron Maher | Harry Coffey | 9 | 59kg |
| 3 | APULIA | Ben, Will & JD Hayes | William Pike | 2 | 59kg |
| 4 | JUST FINE (IRE) | Gai Waterhouse & Adrian Bott | Jordan Childs | 11 | 59kg |
| 5 | BIRDMAN (IRE) | Chris Waller | Ben Melham | 5 | 59kg |
| 6 | SABAJ | Mick Price & Michael Kent (Jnr) | Beau Mertens | 6 | 59kg |
| 7 | MARK TWAIN (NZ) | Phillip Stokes | Lachlan Neindorf | 4 | 59kg |
| 8 | PRIDE OF JENNI | Ciaron Maher | Declan Bates | 10 | 57kg |
| 9 | DAMASK ROSE (NZ) | Mark Walker | Ms Jamie Melham | 1 | 57kg |
| 10 | LEICA LUCY (NZ) | Chris Waller | Damian Lane | 3 | 57kg |
| 11 | BASILINNA (NZ) | Emma-Lee & David Browne | Jye McNeil | 8 | 57kg |
| 12 | PHILIA | David Vandyke | Daniel Stackhouse | 7 | 57kg |
Australian Cup Odds
2026 Australian Cup Speed Map
Seems pretty obvious here with Pride Of Jenni leading. The query will be how much of a break she sets up because Just Fine will want to press forward as well. Philia should lob into a decent spot, likewise Light Infantry Man.