The feature race at Sale this Sunday is the Sale Cup (1600m), where the field looks solid enough on paper.
Down below is a speed map, runner preview and $100 betting strategy for the 2025 Sale Cup.
2025 Sale Cup Runner Preview:
1. Cote Atlantique: Seymour Cup winner that got the right run in transit and finished best to score. Not sure if he was a somewhat lucky winner given how unlucky Saint George was. But, he won, he’s in form and potentially books his spot for the Five Diamonds with a win here.
2. El Rocko: He attempted to lead throughout in the Seymour Cup and gave a very strong sight and kick. Just felt the pinch late. This track can play very much up/in on a dry deck so he’s very dangerous if that eventuates.
3. Enxuto: Caught the eye in the Paris Lane at Flemington behind Media World and I do think is sneaky flying. Needs luck re race shape but is more than capable.
4. Forgot You: Freshened up since the Benalla Cup…but I’ve had enough of him. Pass.
5. Star Vega: Fresh since the 3200m of the Brisbane Cup…I can’t see him threatening here.
6. Cartoon Graveyard: Could have run elsewhere but runs here and does get J Melham aboard. Dominant Murray Bridge Cup triumph last start, the stable rarely get it wrong when they come to Victoria. Commands respect.
7. Ponalowie: Keen on this mare. She was once thought of as a squib but she’s loving racing over the mile, and her last start effort in the Vase behind Oh Too Good at Caulfield was a beauty against the pattern. If she can get a drag into the race, she’ll take beating.
8. Scheelite: He has the most upside here and did more than enough when resuming at Caulfield. Gets the ideal drag up behind El Rocko and is tough. A win wouldn’t shock.
9. Cool Star: Ambulance will beat her home.
2025 Sale Cup $100 Betting Strategy:
$20 Win / $80 Place Ponalowie Tote/SP
Group 1 Strategy Outlay: $1900
Group 1 Strategy Return: $1301
Sale Cup Field
| No | Horse | Trainer | Jockey | Barrier | Weight |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | COTE ATLANTIQUE (IRE) | Henry Dwyer | Beau Mertens | 2 | 59kg |
| 2 | EL ROCKO | John McArdle | Jamie Mott | 5 | 58kg |
| 3 | ENXUTO | Robbie Griffiths | Luke Currie | 6 | 56.5kg |
| 4 | FORGOT YOU (NZ) | Trent Busuttin & Natalie Young | Ben Allen | 1 | 56.5kg |
| 5 | STAR VEGA (IRE) | Anthony & Sam Freedman | Ben Melham | 9 | 55.5kg |
| 6 | CARTOON GRAVEYARD | Will Clarken | Ms Jamie Melham | 4 | 54.5kg |
| 7 | PONDALOWIE | Emma-Lee & David Browne | Lachlan Neindorf | 7 | 54kg |
| 8 | SCHEELITE | Ken & Kasey Keys | Logan Bates (a) | 8 | 54kg |
| 9 | COOL STAR | Tetyana Furdetska | Luke Cartwright (a) | 3 | 54kg |
Sale Cup Odds
2025 Sale Cup Speed Map
El Rocko loves to roll on speed so he does look the leader, and I don’t think he’ll have much company in front. Now he’s fitter, Scheelite can push forward and likely trail him. Outside that, the rest like to opt for cover.