One of the feature races at the Sunny Coast this Saturday is the Caloundra Cup (2400m), where the market says Thebudgiesmugla will win again.
Down below is a speed map, runner preview and $100 betting strategy for the 2026 Caloundra Cup.
2026 Caloundra Cup Runner Preview:
1. Fawkner Park: Fawkner Park was a total forgive from the Tatts Cup last Saturday IMO. He was keen on speed and that took something away from his finale I thought. If he can relax in the run, prior efforts were good enough to take this out.
2. Encoder: SCR
3. Pounding: SCR
4. Kalulakoi: Blessed to win at Ipswich and is flying but I am not sure he’ll get it on a platter this time.
5. Thebudgiesmugla: I think Thebudgiesmugla is a moral. I can mark him nearly odds on here. The majority look beaten up and are here as an afterthought, or simply isn’t good enough. Lot to like about the last start win at Rosehill where he won easily and did it without really being fair dinkum. He has lots more to give and I think will love getting to 2400m on a big track like the Sunny Coast.
6. Caboche: Race shape was against at Rosehill but he kept chasing and finding the line. He’ll be strong late and is a must for exotics.
7. So You Are: So You Are ran third to Thebudgiesmugla in the QEII Cup. He got into a decent spot just off speed and was there to win but lacked the killer blow and couldn’t quite get there. Racing well and should be around the mark.
8. Bestower: Nearly would be top pick if the track was bottomless. She’s flying, will run the trip…a clear first four threat.
9. Sun Worshipper: Worked home strongly last Saturday, just missing. Racing well…just think she might need it easier.
10. Speycaster: Have had this guy blackbooked for this race since his first-up run and he’s on track…but this race has come up very strong. First four contender.
11. Zibulon: He brings the best form IMO so $35+ seems a bit silly…he’ll run well for sure.
12. Pulveriser: Flying but just don’t think he’s up to this level.
13. The Irish: Needs it easier.
14. Tapildoodledo: Set for the race but looks cast.
15. Wowzino: Dominant win last time and will be on speed but lacks the class.
2026 Caloundra Cup $100 Betting Strategy:
$100 Win Thebudgiesmugla
2026 Caloundra Cup Speed Map
Wowzino and Kalulakoi have the early speed to land in front and control things. Encoder and Fawkner Park are each drawn well and going to settle handy. They have to roll the dice and go forward with Thebudgiesmugla, surely.
Caloundra Cup Field
| No | Horse | Trainer | Jockey | Barrier | Weight |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | FAWKNER PARK (IRE) | Declan Maher | Ryan Maloney | 6 | 60.5kg |
| 4 | KALUAKOI | Chris & Corey Munce | Emily Lang | 7 | 54.5kg |
| 5 | THEBUDGIESMUGLA (NZ) | Bjorn Baker | Dylan Gibbons | 15 | 54kg |
| 6 | CABOCHE (NZ) | Chris Waller | Jake Bayliss | 10 | 53.5kg |
| 7 | SO YOU ARE | Stirling Osland | Ashley Morgan | 9 | 53.5kg |
| 8 | BESTOWER (NZ) | Kris Lees | Benjamin Osmond (a) | 1 | 53.5kg |
| 9 | SUN WORSHIPPER | Matt Kropp | Ron Stewart | 13 | 53kg |
| 10 | SPEYCASTER (GB) | Todd Pollard | Ms Georgina Cartwright | 11 | 53kg |
| 11 | ZIBULON (FR) | Paul Preusker | Robbie Dolan | 14 | 53kg |
| 12 | PULVERISER | Kristie Clark-Peoples | Ben Thompson | 8 | 53kg |
| 13 | THE IRISH (IRE) | James Healy | Ms Cejay Graham | 5 | 53kg |
| 14 | TAPILDOODLEDO (NZ) | Kerry Taplin | Ms Tiffani Brooker | 12 | 53kg |
| 15 | WOWZINO (NZ) | David Vandyke | Taylor Marshall | 2 | 53kg |
Caloundra Cup Odds
