One of the feature races at Cranbourne this Saturday is the Cranbourne Cup (1600m), where last start winner Sabaj is a clear favourite.
Down below is a speed map, runner preview and $100 betting strategy for the 2025 Cranbourne Cup.
2025 Cranbourne Cup Runner Preview:
1. Warnie: Got a really good ride from Zahra to win during Cup Week. The 1600m is the query though, he’s not really well in at the weights…keen to oppose.
2. Steparty: Outclassed in the Champions Mile and is better suited here…but I think the paddock might be calling.
3. Air Assault: Air Assault has found a purple patch for Andrew Gluyas. He has won two on the bounce, firstly in the Gawler Cup before making a mess of them in the John Letts on Cup Day at Morphettville. He’ll be strong late and maps ideally.
4. Casino Seventeen: Freshened up back to the mile, I dare say with eyes on the Ballarat Cup. He’ll be strong late but think from the gate he’ll concede too much head start.
5. El Rocko: He’ll be the likely leader and roll along in front but I think he’ll be out of petrol tickets on the turn.
6. Holymanz: Sneaky good return behind Warnie at Flemington, getting held up at times but was very good late when clear. Better set up here, he’s very dangerous.
7. Regal Zeus: Really good third up record but he was a bit plain behind Warnie and I think needs to improve too much to be in the finish.
8. Charterhouse: Previous winner of the race who has been freshened up since the Seymour Cup. I think he’s outclassed here.
9. Jennilala: Didn’t handle the bog at Flemington in the Matriarch and while she has a better set up here, I can’t back her off last run.
10. Bank Maur: Three jumpouts under the belt says he’s ready to go. Gate though makes it tricky and just don’t think he has the class.
11. Saban: He put it together nicely at the end of last prep and love horses that go out on a high. But, he has found a hot race to resume in. He goes through to the keeper.
12. St Lawrence: Sneaky good run behind Warnie at Flemington and would be a top four chance if he drew well, but the wide gate, I think, seals his fate.
13. Statuario: Loved the way he closed off in the Subzero and he looks back on track. Can press forward from the wide gate, land in a decent spot and be strong late. Must for exotics.
14. Enxuto: Enxuto has home track advantage and should be ready to go. He ran over the mile at Flemington on Oaks Day when just off speed and presented to win but lacked the dash required to win when fourth to Apulia. May not have handled the back up? Not sure, but now with the break between runs, I think he’ll run a beauty.
15. Sabaj: Sabaj does seem the most obvious given his Stakes Day win. But, I will say that track was very testing and it would have taken a fair bit out of him. Plus, he is a big boy so how will he handle Cranbourne? The flip side is that he is the best horse in the race re upside/progression and has more levels to reach. Market will be fascinating.
16. Verdad: Looks to have been an interrupted prep for him so he can go through the keeper.
17. Pondalowie (First Emergency): Plain last Saturday, I’ve had enough of her.
18. Scheelite (Second Emergency): Good racing style, honest, set for the race. Just lacks the class.
2025 Cranbourne Cup $100 Betting Strategy:
$20 Win/$80 Place Enxuto
Cranbourne Cup Field
| No | Horse | Trainer | Jockey | Barrier | Weight |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | WARNIE (IRE) | Ciaron Maher | Ethan Brown | 12 | 60kg |
| 2 | STEPARTY | Paul Preusker | Craig Williams | 8 | 59.5kg |
| 3 | AIR ASSAULT | Andrew Gluyas | Jason Holder | 4 | 58.5kg |
| 4 | CASINO SEVENTEEN | Gavin Bedggood | Luke Currie | 18 | 58.5kg |
| 5 | EL ROCKO | John McArdle | Jamie Mott | 10 | 57.5kg |
| 6 | HOLYMANZ (NZ) | Ciaron Maher | Michael Dee | 6 | 57kg |
| 7 | REGAL ZEUS | John McArdle | Daniel Stackhouse | 7 | 56.5kg |
| 8 | CHARTERHOUSE (GB) | Gavin Bedggood | Lachlan Neindorf | 13 | 56kg |
| 9 | JENNILALA | Gavin Bedggood | Declan Bates | 5 | 55.5kg |
| 10 | BANK MAUR | Richard Laming | Ben Melham | 14 | 55kg |
| 11 | SABAN | Peter G Moody & Katherine Coleman | Luke Nolen | 11 | 55kg |
| 12 | ST LAWRENCE (NZ) | Gavin Bedggood | Logan Bates (a) | 16 | 55kg |
| 13 | STATUARIO | Emma-Lee & David Browne | Dean Yendall | 9 | 55kg |
| 14 | ENXUTO | Robbie Griffiths | Patrick Moloney | 3 | 54kg |
| 15 | SABAJ | Mick Price & Michael Kent (Jnr) | Beau Mertens | 15 | 54kg |
| 16 | VERDAD | Robbie Griffiths | Ms Celine Gaudray | 17 | 54kg |
| 17e | PONDALOWIE | Emma-Lee & David Browne | Logan Bates (a) | 1 | 54kg |
| 18e | SCHEELITE | Ken & Kasey Keys | Jordan Childs | 2 | 54kg |
Cranbourne Cup Odds
2025 Cranbourne Cup Speed Map
With El Rocko in the field, the tempo is naturally going to be quite genuine. But, there is speed drawn underneath with the likes of Regal Zeus, Jennilala and even Air Assault likely wanting to sit handy, so the speed will be decent here.
