One of the feature races at Eagle Farm this Saturday is the Kingsford Smith Cup (1300m), where Jimmysstar heads betting.
Down below is a speed map, runner preview and $100 betting strategy for 2026 Kingsford Smith Cup.
2026 Kingsford Smith Cup Runner Preview:
1. Jimmysstar: I am a bit surprised there were some potting the run of Jimmysstar in the 10,000. To my eye, despite being a beaten favourite, I thought his run was quite good considering he was fresh at 1200m, tight track, and in restricted room. Here he is at 1300m, fitter, on a bigger track, and if he gets room to move and wind up…I say good luck beating him.
2. Rothfire: Four wide no cover and was dominant in the 10,000…what the hell was that? One off, or is he back? No idea, but I am saying he commands respect to some extent given how impressive last start was.
3. Private Eye: Grand campaigner…but trialling in Sydney on Monday before coming up to Brisbane for Saturday…that’s a big ask. If he wins, too good, but for me, he goes through to the keeper.
4. Another Wil: He’s a Stradbroke horse for me. Zero intent first up in the 10,000 and suspect it will be something similar here.
5. Desert Lightning: Gritty win in The Goodwood…but I dare say he was lucky given the bob of the head, and it was a terrible edition of the race. Not for me.
6. Sepals: Zero went right for him in the Autumn in two runs. Spelled with Brisbane in mind, has jumped out well…just think this is the tune up in readiness for the Stradbroke.
7. Transatlantic: Ridden with intent in the Victory and was there to win but first up, condition gave way late. He’s on track for the Stradbroke and is a knockout hope here.
8. Headley Grange: He’s the watch horse from a Stradbroke perspective. Not sure he’s a WFA horse but he’s up to this level I am sure.
9. Yellow Brick: It wasn’t the deepest of fields but the win from 9 Yellow Brick in The Archer was quite impressive, giving them a start and a beating, getting better as the race went on. That was on May 5 and he does seem to race best on the fresh side…If Rothfire won the 10,000, why can’t this guy win a Group l as well.
10. King Of Roseau: Loved the way he let down to win the Takeover Target but the gate and WFA seals his fate IMO.
11. Linebacker: If he wins, too good, but I think if he couldn’t win a weak race at Scone in the Luskin Star, he’s going to struggle here, especially at WFA.
12. Fangirl: 12 Fangirl is the fascinating runner. If this track can dry out later in the week, gee I think she’ll run a beauty. Has been kept on ice since the All Aged when first up and just battled late but it was a day where up/in was dynamite. Tick over trial was good and class will carry her a long way.
13. Skybird: Sneaky good in the 10,000 but she’s too hard to catch and John Allen is off, which tells me he thinks the mare is cast.
14. Splash Back: Had conditions to suit and was impressive in the Victory Stakes. Just not sold on that form being a strong reference for this.
15. Manaal: Looks a set play here with this into the Stradbroke into the Tatts Tiara, three bites at the cherry to win another major before retirement. Trials in Sydney have been super and she can fly fresh. Watch betting.
16. Napoleonic: 10,000 was his race and he couldn’t quite get there. Keen to oppose.
17. Von Hauke (First Emergency): He’ll be strong late but lacks the class.
18. Grafterburners (Second Emergency): Dynamic at 1200m…anything further, and on shifty ground, he struggles, as seen in the 10,000.
19. Sixties (Third Emergency): Classy three year old who would give this race a shake if he got a start.
20. Zou Sensation (Fourth Emergency): Just fair first up and isn’t suited at WFA.
21. Wodeton (Fifth Emergency): Doubt he gets a start. Even if he did, I’d be against.
2026 Kingsford Smith Cup $100 Betting Strategy:
$100 Win Jimmysstar
Group l Strategy Outlay: $6900
Group l Strategy Return: $4927
2026 Kingsford Smith Cup Speed Map
It’s hard to find a designated early leader from what I can see. Maybe Napoleonic can lead them up from the wide draw, or outside Rothfire? Now he’s fitter, do they press forward with Another Wil? And with the barrier draw…I’d love to see them give Jimmysstar a dig in the ribs and get the drag across via Napoleonic.
Kingsford Smith Cup Field
| No | Horse | Trainer | Jockey | Barrier | Weight |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | JIMMYSSTAR (NZ) | Ciaron Maher | Ethan Brown | 15 | 59kg |
| 2 | ROTHFIRE | Robert Heathcote | Brad Rawiller | 8 | 59kg |
| 3 | PRIVATE EYE | Joseph Pride | Nash Rawiller | 2 | 59kg |
| 4 | ANOTHER WIL | Ciaron Maher | Ms Jamie Melham | 11 | 59kg |
| 5 | DESERT LIGHTNING (NZ) | Peter G Moody & Katherine Coleman | Luke Nolen | 7 | 59kg |
| 6 | SEPALS | Cliff Brown | Lachlan Neindorf | 19 | 59kg |
| 7 | TRANSATLANTIC | Tony Gollan | Ryan Maloney | 5 | 59kg |
| 8 | HEADLEY GRANGE | Joseph Pride | Adam Hyeronimus | 4 | 59kg |
| 9 | YELLOW BRICK | Tony & Maddysen Sears | Tommy Berry | 17 | 59kg |
| 10 | KING OF ROSEAU | Peter Snowden | Tom Sherry | 21 | 59kg |
| 11 | LINEBACKER (NZ) | Tom Charlton | Ben Melham | 3 | 59kg |
| 12 | FANGIRL | Chris Waller | James McDonald | 16 | 57kg |
| 13 | SKYBIRD | Mitchell Freedman | Kerrin McEvoy | 13 | 57kg |
| 14 | SPLASH BACK (FR) | Grahame Begg | Jordan Childs | 10 | 57kg |
| 16 | NAPOLEONIC | Tom Charlton | Mark Zahra | 14 | 57kg |
| 17e | VON HAUKE (NZ) | Cliff Brown | Joshua Parr | 12 | 59kg |
| 18e | GRAFTERBURNERS | Kelly Schweida | Jason Collett | 18 | 57kg |
| 19e | SIXTIES | Chris Waller | Ms Jamie Melham | 20 | 57kg |
| 20e | ZOU SENSATION | Leon & Troy Corstens & Will Larkin | Ben Allen | 1 | 59kg |
| 21e | WODETON | Chris Waller | Tim Clark | 6 | 57kg |
Kingsford Smith Cup Odds
