The feature race at Balaklava this afternoon is the Balaklava Cup (1600m), where the market says it is an open contest.
Down below is a speed map, runner preview and $100 betting strategy for 2026 Balaklava Cup.
2026 Balaklava Cup Runner Preview:
1. Air Assault: Just missed in the Leon Macdonald and looks on track to go close and win this race again, having won it in 2024. Commands respect.
2. Bootlegger: He was there to be beaten in the Leon Macdonald but he found under pressure to fend them off. The trial last week though…was poor I thought, but, he has runs on the board.
3. Sir Kingsford: Beaten for early speed in the Leon Macdonald but really liked the way he finished his race off in defeat. Can settle closer, fitter, he appeals.
4. Williamsburg: Capable but IMO, I think he’s seen better days.
5. Bamyan Buddha: I think he’s the one at a big price. Prep run first up behind The Cosmic One but really liked his trial last week here when near the speed and was only run down late. Maps to stalk the good speed and will be strong late.
6. Sav On Ice: The wheels have well and truly fallen off since winning this race last year. He looks cast.
7. Tippa: I think wait til he gets to 2000m+.
8. I Catchem Fox: Clear intent being first up here off two trials, two strong trials. Just where he gets to in the run I am not sure and happy to let him go through to the keeper.
9. Snoopy Now: Real eye catcher when coming back to 1200m last time. Trialled up super here last week and maps to settle much closer. He’s very dangerous.
10. Snow Patrol: He’s not up to these IMO.
11. Cicala: Proper J Melham tax here IMO. Just far too short given she was held in the Leon Macdonald and that was over 1400m, so 1600m has to be a genuine query.
12. Rematch: Tried his guts out in the Darwin Cup but couldn’t quite get the win. Maps to stalk the speed, he’ll be strong late…one for exotics.
13. Kirkliston Blu: He’ll need the run.
14. Nicish: SCR
15. Miso: Thought he was sneaky good in the Leon Macdonald and could pinch first four.
16. Dobbinair: Looks outclassed.
17. Alpine Flyer (First Emergency): Making up the numbers.
18. Maldini (Second Emergency): SCR
19. Phineas (Third Emergency): SCR
20. Hard Prince (Fourth Emergency): SCR
2026 Balaklava Cup $100 Betting Strategy:
$20 Win/$80 Place Bamyan Buddha
2026 Balaklava Cup Speed Map
Dobbinair is a query at 1600m but has early speed to overcome the wide draw. I thinks he comes across. Kirkliston Blu could get the drag over courtesy of that. Snoopy Now settles handy and Sir Kingsford can roll in front, so I anticipate a good tempo.
Balaklava Cup Field
| No | Horse | Trainer | Jockey | Barrier | Weight |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | AIR ASSAULT | Andrew Gluyas | Jason Holder | 8 | 60kg |
| 2 | BOOTLEGGER | Dan Clarken & Oopy MacGillivray | Ms Tala Hutchinson (a) | 15 | 55.5kg |
| 3 | SIR KINGSFORD | G & N Searle & B Callanan | Ms Teagan Voorham | 7 | 55.5kg |
| 4 | WILLIAMSBURG | Garret Lynch | Connor Murtagh | 10 | 55kg |
| 5 | BAMYAN BUDDHA | Grant Young | Ms Brooke King (a) | 3 | 54.5kg |
| 6 | SAV ON ICE | Garret Lynch | Ms Kayla Crowther | 11 | 54.5kg |
| 7 | TIPPA | Shayne & Chelsea Cahill | Ms Caitlin Tootell (a) | 16 | 54.5kg |
| 8 | I CATCHEM FOX | Darryl Dodson | Ms Alysha Warren (a) | 12 | 54kg |
| 9 | SNOOPY NOW | Darryl Hewitt | Joe Bowditch | 4 | 54kg |
| 10 | SNOW PATROL (NZ) | Travis Doudle | Ben Price | 14 | 54kg |
| 11 | CICALA | Will Clarken & Charlotte Sorby | Ms Jamie Melham | 2 | 54kg |
| 12 | REMATCH | Chris Nash | Jett Stanley | 1 | 54kg |
| 13 | KIRKLISTON BLU | Roslyn Day | Andrew Stead | 18 | 54kg |
| 15 | MISO | Will Clarken & Charlotte Sorby | Ms Rochelle Milnes | 13 | 54kg |
| 16 | DOBBINAIR | Shayne & Chelsea Cahill | Dylan Caboche | 17 | 54kg |
| 17e | ALPINE FLYER | Kym Healy | Ms Lauren Stojakovic | 5 | 54kg |
Balaklava Cup Odds
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