A full field will line up for the Sydney Cup (3200m) at Randwick this Saturday, with the in-form Alalcance heading betting as the clear favourite.
Down below is a speed map, runner preview and $100 betting strategy for the 2025 Sydney Cup.
2025 Sydney Cup Runner Preview:
1. Duke De Sessa: Caulfield Cup winner that is absolutely flying at present. He tried his guts out in the Tancred…can make a case to say he goes close to winning if left alone on speed but was pressured and run down late. 3200m is no issue, lands in a plum spot…leading contender.
2. Arapaho: Ripping animal that does try hard…but I just don’t think 3200m is his go.
3. Zarir: He looked like a camel in the Tancred and I can’t see him turning the tables and threatening.
4. Circle Of Fire: I reckon he is sneaky flying this guy. He kept sticking on in the Tancred and now gets to a handicap, getting weight relief. He won the race last year and isn’t going too bad leaidng into this. Overs IMO.
5. Athabascan: He’s flying and is right in the mix. Tempo/race shape was against him in the Chairmans but I really liked the way he closed off. He maps to do no work and he did run second in this race last year. He has to be respected.
6. Zardozi: The class of the field is Zardozi and she is proven at two miles so she’s the way I am going. She brings the WFA form and comes through a brutally run Australian Cup where she was there to win but was just one paced in the straight. That said, she stayed on and was very good in defeat. Jamie did say post race the mare wants two miles hence why she is running here and tumbling to 53kg, I think she’ll give this an almighty shake.
7. Warmonger: Too bad to be true in the Tancred but would have liked to see him finish the race off better. If he is winning, I am losing on the race.
8. Alalcance: Alalcance is the big threat and the one to beat on current form. She has been dominant her past two in the two key lead ups, the Manion and the Chairmans, leading throughout last Saturday in the latter and gave nothing else a look in. The query is 3200m, but if they leave her alone and she gets front end control, she takes running down.
9. River Of Stars: She was very keen in the run in the Tancred, taken to the front and tired late. She’ll be better for the run…just not sure she is good enough.
10. Cleveland: Solid enough return in the Manion Cup and should be fine at 3200m but just think he lacks the class to measure up.
11. Francesco Guardi: Warrnambool should be his target. He’s racing like a hurdler. None here.
12. Lastotchka: Was okay in the Chairmans but needs to improve big time to measure up.
13. Mostly Cloudy: In the right spot in the Roy Higgins and battled away well enough in defeat when third. He’ll press forward, down in the weights…could pinch first four.
14. Tajanis: He tried his guts out in the Auckland Cup but just found one better. Trip is no issue…class is the issue.
15. Birdman: Has to be given respect. He had a suck run in transit last week in the Chairmans but worked home really well I thought. Maps to get a similar run again and this looks the #1 seed for Waller with Zac Lloyd riding.
16. Valiant King: Scratched
17. Garachico: Lacks change up speed but he will stay, as seen in the Roy Higgins. He was good late and the rise to 3200m is fine. Of those near $101+, I reckon he’s one that is slight overs.
18. Strathtay: Strathtay is sneaky flying for Chris Waller. He ran sixth in the Chairmans last Saturday and was one of the real eye catchers of the race, closing off with real purpose late against the race shape. He’s racing as if he’ll be fine at 3200m, he’s down in the weights and a drop of rain is ideal.
19. Age Of Sail: Blinkers really switched him on last week but he needs to improve too much for mine.
20. Waltham: I expected more from him in the Chairmans. He is a talented stayer that gets serious weight and 3200m is no issue. If you are forgiving of last weekend, you’re getting a price.
21. Hopeful (First Emergency): Racing well but not measuring up here.
22. Mr Waterville (Second Emergency): Scratched
23. Bacio Del Mist (Third Emergency): Scratched
2025 Sydney Cup $100 Betting Strategy:
$20 Win/$80 Place Zardozi
Group l Strategy Outlay: $5750
Group l Strategy Return: $3504.50
2025 Sydney Cup Speed Map
Alalcance has had front end control this time in and has won each time she has stepped out. But, I think she may cop pressure this time around with the likes of Zarir, River Of Stars, potentially even Lastotchka. Circle Of Fire could roll the dice from the wide gate.
