The first of the majors at Eagle Farm this Saturday is the Kingsford Smith Cup (1300m), where Joliestar heads betting.
Down below is a speed map, runner preview and $100 betting strategy for the 2025 Kingsford Smith Cup.
2025 Kingsford Smith Cup Runner Preview:
1. Giga Kick: I think you have to be forgiving of his Goodwood defeat. Not so much if you dived into the shorts, but he was forced quite wide on the turn and he was first up. He does get better as the prep goes on and he has thrived in Brisbane previously. He can win.
2. Private Eye: SCR
3. Rothfire: SCR
4. Golden Mile: He was a real eye catcher in the Victory Stakes and has been kept on ice with this race and the Stradbroke in mind. Tick over trial last week was good…just no idea where he gets to from the gate.
5. Zarastro: He looks the likely leader. But it’s been an interrupted prep for him, having not raced since his resumption in the Ascot on April 19. He will lead and give a good sight. But I think 1300m, at this level, and on testing ground, is a bit much.
6. Payline: Yes, he got close to causing the massive upset in the 10,000…but surely he’s too well found now at around $21. He was $101 at stages in betting for the 10,000 and the fact he ran so well…does that say that the 10,000 form is crap for this race? I am saying yes,
7. Libertad: Victory Stakes winner that was found out in the 10,000 and to me, this race is harder, so he goes through to the keeper.
8. Rise At Dawn: Rise At Dawn looks to be humming for Team Hayes en route to the Stradbroke. He hasn’t raced since the Doncaster where he just went too slow on speed and was outsprinted late but far from disgraced in defeat behind Stefi Magnetica. His trial work has been elite and with his racing style, he takes beating.
9. Democracy Manifest: I think he is a big sleeper at a massive price. The Ascot tilt was a disaster and the horse has been given a good break with this and the Stradbroke in mind. His trials have been very good, he’ll do no work in the run…can see him running a belter.
10. Joliestar: Joliestar comes here with fresh legs for Chris Waller, having not raced since the All Aged Stakes where she did seem to have her chance but she was far from disgraced in defeat behind Jimmysstar. Tick over trial was nice last week and she is the class factor, by some distance.
11. Kimochi: I’m very interested in Kimochi and how she performs here. She didn’t have the best of luck during the Sydney Autumn, notably the TJ Smith where Nash even said himself post race he rode her like a 3kg apprentice. Loved the way she moved in a recent trial and her best is clearly good enough.
12. Benedetta: Thought it was a very sleepy ride by J Melham in the 10,000 and the mare did a really good job in defeat under the circumstances. Think she’ll love Eagle Farm and a more positive ride can see her win.
13. Bosustow: SCR
14. Ameena: SCR
2025 Kingsford Smith Cup $100 Betting Strategy:
$20 Win/$80 Place Kimochi
Group l Strategy Outlay: $6650
Group l Strategy Return: $4361.50
2025 Kingsford Smith Cup Odds
2025 Kingsford Smith Cup Speed Map
Zarastro should spear across and find the top here, and quite comfortably to my eye. Rise At Dawn lands in a plum spot from the draw, while do they roll the dice and go forward from the wide gate with Golden Mile. Kimochi lands in a great spot from the inside gate.
