A healthy field of thirteen face the starter for the Australia Cup 2013 including two 3yo’s. Manigher won this race last year, third up from a spell after running third in the G2 Peter Young (formerly the St. George Stakes). Similarly, Shocking won in 2011 also when third up after running in the same lead up race. The horse that fits the bill this year, is Mawingo who is third up and put in a pleasing effort last start in the Peter Young Stakes, doing his best work late to finish fourth, beaten less than ¾ of a length.
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Darley Australian Cup Form Guide
1. GREEN MOON – B Prebble (9)
Drew barrier one when first up in the G1 Futurity Stakes and to ensure a position, was ridden a little closer to the speed than what he would’ve have preferred to be. The Melbourne Cup winner of last year just didn’t have the ‘ping’ to go with All Too Hard in the final furlong but did like the way he was warming to his task late. He was out-bobbed by Happy Trials when second up last year in the G2 Dato Tan and will go very close again.
Odds: $4.00
2. MOURAYAN – L Currie (8)
As expected first up in the G1 Futurity Stakes, he wasn’t able to worry the better fancies of the race at any stage and finished eighth, beaten 6.7 lengths. He’ll get back again and did ran second in the G2 Hill Stakes last prep when 2nd up under WFA conditions to Lamasery but expect he’ll need this run and at least another 400m before we see him produce his best.
Odds: $41.00
3. GLASS HARMONIUM – S Arnold (7)
Cheeky effort first up off a sixteen week spell when leading and holding on well for second to All Too Hard in the Futurity Stakes. Generally likes here at Flemington – has one win and three placings from six starts, that one win coming in the G1 WFA Mackinnon Stakes of 2011. Looks the likely leader and if allowed to dictate, is capable of offering some cheek again however, think there’s enough depth in this field that at least a few will catch him.
Odds: $9.00
4. MR MOET – D Staeck (13)
This Western Australian galloper is in exceptional form. Since commencing this campaign six starts ago, he has registered two wins and four placings all at G1 or G2 level. His last two starts, where he has hit the line in super style to finish third (beaten ¾ lengths) in the G1 C F Orr Stakes and second (beaten a long neck) in the G2 Peter Young, suggests that he’s a leading chance here and that the 2000m and Flemington track ideally suit.
Odds: $6.00
5. TANBY – N Hall (12)
30/1 when resuming in the Peter Young Stakes and ran a race that belied his price, finishing well (beaten less than two lengths) behind Foreteller in a race not run to suit. Generally do not see the best of him until his events are in excess of 2000m however, think there was enough merit on the first up run to throw him in a couple of multiples.
Odds: $41.00
6. MAWINGO – C Williams (5)
Ran a cracking race first up to finish at a rate of knots only to miss All Too Hard by half a length before being caught a little flat-footed when the sprint went on last start, in the Peter Young Stakes before closing well (beaten .6 lengths) behind Foreteller. Gets to the right trip ow, has a good draw and jockey and is third up – as he was when claiming the G1 Doomben Cup last prep. Looks a genuine chance at good each-way odds.
Odds: $9.00
7. FORETELLER – D Dunn (2)
He ran a ripper of a race when first up off a six month spell at Warwick Farm under 59kgs early in January before coming south and finishing fifth of twelve in the G3 Carlyon Cup a month later at Caulfield. Was ridden a treat by Dunn, who summed up the race beautifully, when claiming the G2 Peter Young Stakes a fortnight ago. Going well and would be foolish to think that last start was just good fortune.
Odds: $13.00
8. ÉCLAIR SURPRISE – D Tourneur (1)
Adelaide galloper who had won five in succession, including the G3 Eclipse Stakes before putting in a very uncharacteristic performance last start in the Peter Young Stakes where he finished second to last. Drawn to get the kind of run he likes but still not proven at this level and last start is a concern.
Odds: $41.00
9. DURNFORD – R McLeod (6)
A lightly raced 4yo Helenus gelding who won the Listed Cup Prelude two starts back, accounting for the very much in-form Tuscan Fire in the process, before chasing the same horse home valiantly in the Mornington Cup. Good effort last start and shows plenty of staying promise but this is an elite event and would expect him to find this tough.
Odds: $61.00
10. NICONOISE – J Noonan (10)
Not great first up off an eleven week break when tenth of thirteen behind Population in an Open Handicap at Caulfield before appreciating the wider spaces of Flemington where, despite sitting wide throughout, was strong to the line and claimed a RST 89 event. Jumps significantly in class and weight and will not be expecting him to figure in the finish.
Odds: $41.00
11. INVEST – P Mertens (11)
She’s the only mare in the race and also the rank outsider at $101.00. Has raced since eight times since claiming her last win the G3 The Roses during last year’s Brisbane carnival and whilst she’s produced the odd good run, expect she’ll struggle to worry many here.
Odds: $101.00
12. FIVEANDHALFASTAR – G Boss (4)
One of two 3yo’s in the race and the winner of last year’s VRC Derby. He’s two runs back this time in have been first rate and include a second to Mulaazm when first up over 1400m before finding the finishing challenge of rival Super Cool too strong late in the Autumn Classic, finishing a length behind in second. Will roll forward and possible sit off Glass Harmonium but doubt he’ll have the ability to hold several proven performers off.
Odds: $7.00
13. SUPER COOL – M Rodd (3)
A Fastnet Rock 3yo who improves every time he steps out on the racetrack! Made up a tonne of ground late first up in the Autumn Stakes before appreciating the step up to 1800m of the Autumn Classic and finishing too well for Fiveandahalfstar. Gets better with each run and the 2000m and Flemington will be very much to his liking. Thought the $5.00 offered early was a point or two shorter than ideal though.
Odds: $5.00
OVERVIEW.
Got it down to three here – Mawingo, Mr. Moet and Green Moon. Following recent history here Mawingo represents great value at the $9.00. Better for his last start, which was a race that wasn’t run to suit and from barrier 5, picture him getting every chance. Similar story for Mr. Moet whose last two runs couldn’t have him better prepared for this. Green Moon in for my third selection, happy to cut him some slack on his first up run and think the 2000m at Flemington, where he has won 3 from 6, looks perfect.
