One of the key races at Eagle Farm this Saturday is the Brisbane Cup (3200m), where the market says it is an open contest.
Down below is a speed map, runner preview and $100 betting strategy for 2026 Brisbane Cup.
2026 Brisbane Cup Runner Preview:
1. Alalcance: Class kicked in when winning the Premiers Cup. Granted not a deep race, but 59kg for a mare over 3200m…recipe for me to say I am hard against.
2. Etna Rosso: Didn’t do a bad job in the Premiers Cup and has placed at this track/distance before, but just not sure how well he’s going.
3. Athabascan: Athabascan was off a mini break in the Premiers Cup. He got back off speed and made up decent ground but was never threatening. Like him at 3200m, he has class and should be strong at the end.
4. Newlook: Beaten a fair way in the Premiers Cup but did make up ground after being a mile back. Doubt he wins, but a must for exotics.
5. Highland Bling: Highland Bling was pretty much a DNP in the Premiers Cup. Back to last in the run, he was solid late, but was never a factor. Much better suited here IMO and with a more positive ride, he’s dangerous.
6. Bozo: He may as well head back to New Zealand. Not up to these.
7. Bella Montagna: Bella Montagna for me. She tried her guts out two weeks ago in the Premiers Cup but just couldn’t quite peg back stablemate Alalcance, just missing. She looks as if she’ll be fine at 3200m, has that sense of timing and is well in at the weights.
8. The Right Way: He’ll stay but not at 3200m and not at this level.
9. Thebudgiesmugla: Thought he was plain in the Lord Mayors at Rosehill. That was at 2000m so 3200m has to be a big, big query.
10. Wealdstone: Not up to these.
11. Hutchence: He’ll run the trip and gets the soft hands of J Melham…a win wouldn’t entirely shock.
12. Zibulon: Kept chasing in the Sandown Cup when second so 3200m is no issue, hard fit and have to respect the stable when they come this way.
2026 Brisbane Cup $100 Betting Strategy:
$20 Win/$80 Place Highland Bling
2026 Brisbane Cup Speed Map
Suspect Tim Clark will take Alalcance to the front and look to lead throughout. Highland Bling can be ridden with more intent vs the Premiers Cup. Thebudgiesmugla (dual accepted) is another go forward type.
Brisbane Cup Field
| No | Horse | Trainer | Jockey | Barrier | Weight |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | ALALCANCE (GB) | Gai Waterhouse & Adrian Bott | Tim Clark | 3 | 59kg |
| 2 | ETNA ROSSO (IRE) | Chris Waller | Craig Williams | 8 | 56kg |
| 3 | ATHABASCAN (FR) | Tom Charlton | Tommy Berry | 2 | 55.5kg |
| 4 | NEWLOOK (FR) | Trent Busuttin & Natalie Young | Kerrin McEvoy | 5 | 55.5kg |
| 5 | HIGHLAND BLING (IRE) | Phillip Stokes | Ben Thompson | 6 | 54kg |
| 6 | BOZO (NZ) | Kelly Schweida | Taylor Marshall | 11 | 53kg |
| 7 | BELLA MONTAGNA (NZ) | Gai Waterhouse & Adrian Bott | Ms Rachel King | 1 | 53kg |
| 8 | THE RIGHT WAY (NZ) | Greg Wright | Ms Chelsea Baker (a) | 10 | 53kg |
| 9 | THEBUDGIESMUGLA (NZ) | Bjorn Baker | Tyler Schiller | 7 | 53kg |
| 10 | WEALDSTONE | Cliff Brown | Luke Cartwright (a) | 9 | 53kg |
| 11 | HUTCHENCE (GB) | Chris Waller | Ms Jamie Melham | 4 | 53kg |
| 12 | ZIBULON (FR) | Paul Preusker | Harry Coffey | 12 | 53kg |
Brisbane Cup Odds
