The feature race at Hawkesbury this Saturday is the Hawkesbury Cup (1600m), a Big Dance Qualifier that shapes as a wide-open and highly competitive contest.
Below is a speed map, runner preview and $100 betting strategy for the 2026 Hawkesbury Cup.
2026 Hawkesbury Cup Runner Preview:
1. Middle Earth: Sneaky flying this horse and was an eye catcher when resuming at Caulfield. If they can run on, a win wouldn’t shock given he is the class factor.
2. Tavi Time: Tavi Time looks to have returned well for Kris Lees and although he may have eyes on the Scone Cup, I think he’ll take beating against these. He resumed two weeks ago at Randwick and was quite good against the pattern in defeat I thought behind Captain Furai. Fitter and up in trip, good upside to come, he clearly rates highly for me.
3. Amor Victorious: First up at the mile signals clear intent but he’s an enigma I find and yes, the lead is there for him, but I think he’ll be getting a stitch late.
4. Osipenko: SCR
5. Vivy Air: Has to be respected. Can make a case she should have won the Coolmore Classic then was far from disgraced in the Doncaster. She’ll be launching late and has class.
6.Royal Supremacy: Talented horse but is better suited at 2000m+ so I suspect he may need the run.
7. Sea King: SCR
8. Waterford: Likely has eyes on Scone but was sneaky good against the pattern first up and if he can settle closer, he could well be dangerous at odds.
9. Taken: Tried his guts out at Caulfield but just missed in a driving go. Maps to stalk the speed, be effective late…can win for sure. But, is well found.
10. Shohisha: Talented mare but just not quite sold on her being good enough at this level. Tricky draw, she goes through to the keeper.
11. Sky Lab: Talented but getting on in years and didn’t do enough first up.
12. War Eternal: Wasn’t bad behind Captain Furai at Randwick but needs to make up too much ground.
13. Imperialist: Handy horse but is better suited over further and first up, I dare say he’ll struggle.
14. Captain Furai: SCR
15. Palmetto: Palmetto is worth a throw at the stumps. He comes back to the mile after racing over 2600m in the Chairmans where he just struggled on the shifty track and was never a factor. Firmer deck, he’ll be strong late and overall, this race isn’t deep.
16. Yet He Moves: Reckon he has eyes on a race like the Ipswich Cup maybe? Wasn’t bad first up but just don’t think he’s up to these.
17. Churchill’s Choice (First Emergency): She’s got the engine under the hood to measure up but mentally, she’s still not 100% there. If she wins, too good, but not for me.
18. Hyperbolic (Second Emergency): SCR
19. Cosmeena (Third Emergency): SCR
2026 Hawkesbury Cup $100 Betting Strategy:
$20 Win / $80 Place Palmetto
Hawkesbury Gold Cup Field
| No | Horse | Trainer | Jockey | Barrier | Weight |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | MIDDLE EARTH (GB) | Ciaron Maher | Nash Rawiller | 13 | 59.5kg |
| 2 | TAVI TIME (NZ) | Kris Lees | Dylan Gibbons | 19 | 58kg |
| 3 | AMOR VICTORIOUS | Bjorn Baker | Joshua Parr | 12 | 57.5kg |
| 5 | VIVY AIR | Ciaron Maher | Reece Jones | 3 | 57kg |
| 6 | ROYAL SUPREMACY (IRE) | Ciaron Maher | Braith Nock (a) | 7 | 57kg |
| 8 | WATERFORD (IRE) | Chris Waller | Tommy Berry | 6 | 56.5kg |
| 9 | TAKEN (NZ) | Mick Price & Michael Kent (Jnr) | Tom Sherry | 4 | 54kg |
| 10 | SHOHISHA | David Payne | Chad Schofield | 11 | 54kg |
| 11 | SKY LAB | Paul Perry | Jeff Penza | 16 | 54kg |
| 12 | WAR ETERNAL (NZ) | Bjorn Baker | Adam Farragher | 5 | 54kg |
| 13 | IMPERIALIST (NZ) | Chris Waller | Andrew Adkins | 14 | 53kg |
| 15 | PALMETTO (NZ) | John Sargent | Ms Alysha Collett | 2 | 53kg |
| 16 | YET HE MOVES | Chris Waller | Ms Rachel King | 10 | 53kg |
| 17e | CHURCHILL’S CHOICE | Nathan Doyle | Regan Bayliss | 9 | 54kg |
Hawkesbury Gold Cup Odds
2026 Hawkesbury Cup Speed Map
Amor Victorious loves to dominate racing from the front and the lead is there if he wants it. Taken should lob into a beaut spot, like Palmetto from an inside draw. War Eternal and Waterford should settle handy.
