The feature race at Canberra this Sunday is the Canberra Cup (2000m), where the market says it’ll be an open contest.
Down below is a speed map, runner preview and $100 betting strategy for the 2026 Canberra Cup.
2026 Canberra Cup Runner Preview:
1. Travolta: Loomed to win the Parramatta Cup but just couldn’t quite get there when third. Hard fit now, he commands respect.
2. Campaldino: Massive in defeat in the Parramatta Cup given he was wide no cover throughout and stuck on so bravely. If that hasn’t busted him, he clearly appeals.
3. Piggyback: Piggyback was a super winner of the Parramatta Cup and stamped herself as a top seed for the Sydney Cup I think. She gave them a start and a beating, producing nice change up speed when asked to score. Hard fit, 2000m, she clearly appeals.
4. Athabascan: Down the track in the Parramatta Cup and has eyes on the Sydney Cup. Not for me.
5. Star Of India: Sneaky good run in the Parramatta Cup when back and closing well. If he can settle closer, he’ll take holding out.
6. Nellie Leylax: Has been just fair in two runs back and better suited here up in trip but keen to oppose.
7. Sam Hawkens: I want to give Sam Hawkens another look. To the eye, he was just fair when resuming in the Parramatta Cup but he does look a horse with eyes on one race, the Sydney Cup. That said, he kept chasing and was pretty good late. Better set up here, he’ll take beating.
8. Flying Bandit: 1400m straight to 2000m I find interesting. He is a good horse, promising stayer, will be very strong late…just depends what start he concedes.
9. Touristic: I think this horse is absolutely flying…just needs wet ground and he’s in the mix.
10. Unlimited: He has really come of age this time in. He tried hard last Saturday at Randwick but just couldn’t quite get there. Dangerous if he can overcome the draw.
11. Knights Armour: Looks to have returned well but needs it easier.
12. Geemes: I would assume Geemes has eyes on a race like the Albury Cup but I think she has returned super and wouldn’t be shocked if she pinched first four. She resumed in the Midway and was quite good late without threatening behind Starphistocated. I’d include her in exotics.
13. Burgundy Girl: Strong win in the Prelude but this looks way too hard.
14. Scarli Japali: Not up to these.
15. Gatchan: Needs it easier.
16. Tabor: Flying but this looks too hard.
17. Pro Velocity (First Emergency): Looks outclassed.
2026 Canberra Cup $100 Betting Strategy:
$20 Win / $80 Place Sam Hawkens
Canberra Cup Field
| No | Horse | Trainer | Jockey | Barrier | Weight |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | TRAVOLTA (GB) | Chris Waller | 10 | 58kg | |
| 2 | CAMPALDINO (NZ) | Gai Waterhouse & Adrian Bott | Tim Clark | 3 | 57.5kg |
| 3 | PIGGYBACK | Ciaron Maher | 14 | 57kg | |
| 4 | ATHABASCAN (FR) | John O’Shea & Tom Charlton | 17 | 57kg | |
| 5 | STAR OF INDIA (IRE) | Chris Waller | 7 | 57kg | |
| 6 | NELLIE LEYLAX (IRE) | Annabel & Rob Archibald | Ms Alysha Collett | 2 | 56.5kg |
| 7 | SAM HAWKENS (IRE) | John O’Shea & Tom Charlton | 9 | 54.5kg | |
| 8 | FLYING BANDIT | Kerry Parker | Jay Ford | 1 | 54kg |
| 9 | TOURISTIC (GB) | Peter Snowden | 16 | 54kg | |
| 10 | UNLIMITED (IRE) | Chris Waller | 11 | 54kg | |
| 11 | KNIGHTS ARMOUR | Ross Lavis | Ms Rebecca Bronett Prag (a) | 4 | 54kg |
| 12 | GEEMES | Mitchell Beer & George Carpenter | 8 | 54kg | |
| 13 | BURGUNDY GIRL | Keith Dryden & Libby Snowden | Ms Jessica Brookes (a) | 15 | 54kg |
| 14 | SCARLI JAPALI | Anthony Warren | Ms Coriah Keatings (a) | 12 | 54kg |
| 15 | GATCHAN | Norm Gardner | Mathew Cahill | 13 | 54kg |
| 16 | TABOR (NZ) | Joe Cleary | Quayde Krogh | 5 | 54kg |
| 17e | PRO VELOCITY (NZ) | Geoffrey Crothers | 6 | 54kg |
Canberra Cup Odds
2026 Canberra Cup Speed Map
At the time of writing (Friday night), there are a stack of dual acceptors, so the speed map could be a mess. As it stands, Campaldino should get complete front end control, with Nellie Leylax likely landing box seat. Outside that pair, I can’t see much front end pressure.
