A capacity field has been assembled for the Kingsford-Smith Cup (1300m) this Saturday at Eagle Farm, where eyes will be on progressive gelding Think About It.
Down below is a speed map, runner preview and $100 betting strategy for the 2023 Kingsford Smith Cup.
Market 💰: View the Odds for the Kingsford Smith Cup
2023 Kingsford-Smith Cup Speed Map
Looks to be good speed here. It’s hard seeing anything other than Eduardo leading, especially first up. Emerald Kingdom likely lands box seat, while out wide, Gentleman Roy will slide across, likely sitting outside Eduardo.
2023 Kingsford Smith Cup Runner Preview:
1. Eduardo: Grand campaigner that resumes. To me, this is sort of a career defining prep/run as to whether they persist and have a crack at The Everest or he’s just looking for a paddock to enjoy life. Beaten a lip in The Challenge and then down the track in The Galaxy. Trial was good, he lands on speed…he’ll give a sight but the track won’t be wet for his liking.
2. A Case Of You: He’d be a moral if the track was heavy. He was the real eye catcher in the 10,000, closing off with purpose in restricted room. Love him up in trip, hopefully can settle closer…gee I think he’ll be launching late.
3. Paulele: Potentially his final race start before stud duties. He ran a solid fourth in the Victory Stakes, beaten just under a length and was far from disgraced in defeat. Worked very well between races last week and on a dry deck, hard fit, target race, he’s right in the mix.
4. Rothfire: Rothfire is a beauty for Rob Heathcoate that has to be respected. He has been kept on ice since a strong win in the Victory Stakes at Eagle Farm where he was on speed throughout and just kept finding under Nash to score. He’s been around the mark at the top level without really busting the door down. I think he gets a great chance to get another Group l win on the board.
5. Vilana: He’s too good of a horse to pen off one run. To the eye, he was plain in the 10,000, but he didn’t get the best of rides and did lose a plate in the run so forgive and forget. Super first up winner, he’s got timing and the quality to measure up.
6. Converge: He’s the sleeper at odds. He hasn’t done much for a tick over 12 months, but he returns to Eagle Farm, where he thrived as a juvenile. Recent trial was very good, he’s a dry track horse and can sprint well on the fresh side. Likely set for the Stradbroke, but his best is very much good enough to win.
7. King Of Sparta: He thrives in Queensland and on dry ground so he has a bit in his corner. Game effort in the Victory behind Rothfire and the tick over trial was strong. End of 1300m is a query but has a gate to do no work.
8. Kirwan’s Lane: He’s a very honest animal but he’s not quite up to this level. I dare say his race will be the Wayne Wilson if they aim properly. Not here.
9. Eleven Eleven: I think his best is behind him. Resumed in the Ortensia at Scone and made up minor headway but overall, he was on the plain side, and I think he’s gone. Pass.
10. Gentleman Roy: He’s a very dynamic horse when right, as seen in the early Autumn where he arguably should have won instead of losing on protest to Jacquinot. Dry track, 1300m, good racing style, nice tick over trial to get ready, he appeals big time.
11. Think About It: It’s hard to get away from Think About It. He’s a very good horse for Joe Pride that comes here off the back of a sparkling first up win in the Takeover Target at Gosford where the market took a set against him for the fact that he was first up and carried topweight. But, he had class, and had panels on them in terms of class, which came to the fore late in winning. Good test here against proven performers, but he’s on the up and a line finder.
12. Emerald Kingdom: He’s been a ripper since joining Desleigh Forster. Looked home in The Archer but was nabbed right on the peg by Alpine Edge. Has a liking for Eagle Farm and maps to get the A1 run in transit. One for multiples.
13. Alpine Edge: Had the pattern in his corner in The Archer and that won him the race, driving hard late to just get the win over Emerald Kingdom. The barrier probably seals his fate but if they overdo it, look for him late.
14. The Inferno: I’ve had enough of this horse and I dare say I am not alone. Had every chance in the Hareeba at Mornington but was no match late for Jigsaw. He can win without me.
15. Promise Of Success: Very good mare, but loves give in the track, and unfortunately, she won’t get that here. Likely goes back to near last and will be an eye catcher.
16. Palaisipan: Palaisipan is a talented horse. Chris Munce trained mare that is three weeks between runs since contesting the ATC Trophy where she got back off the speed before being presented clear air and found the line pretty well, just missing out on the win when a narrow second to Fifteen Rounds. Not sure this level is to her liking, but is genuine…could pinch a first four spot.
17. Chaillot (First Emergency): Hard to ignore Chaillot for the O’Dea/Hoysted camp. She’s only had one run for the stable, which came here over 1400m in the Sunny Coast Cup back in January where she gave them a start and a beating, landing big bets in the process. She is a gun fresh horse and fresh at 1300m tells me she’s ready to go. Must for exotics if she gets a run.
18. Irish Songs (Second Emergency): Done a super job for the new stable, but he’s not up to this level.
19. Antino (Third Emergency): Very good horse but unlikely to get a run so he’s a scratching IMO.
2023 Kingsford Smith Cup $100 Betting Strategy:
I am a fan of Think About It so happy to have $100 Win on him.
Group l Strategy Outlay: $7050
Group l Strategy Return: $4659.50
