SYDNEY CUP
3200m, $2 million, handicap at Randwick
HISTORY
* Sydney’s premier staying event first run in 1866 when won by Yattendon
* Honour roll includes: The Barb (1868-69), Carbine (1889-90), Wakeful (1902), Eurythmic (1921), Rogilla (1933), Sailor’s Guide (1956), Sharply (1961), Galilee (1967), Reckless (1977), Double Century (1979), Kingston Town (1980), Our Paddy Boy (1981), Tie The Knot (1998-99) and Makybe Diva (2004)
TALKING POINTS
* The Sydney Cup and the Melbourne Cup are now the only two races in Australia still run at Group One level over 3200 metres
* Chris Waller trained the quinella in 2015 when Grand Marshal tipped out Who Shot Thebarman. Waller has three runners this year, including Who Shot Thebarman
* English trainer Charlie Appleby from Godolphin has sent two stayers, Penglai Pavilion and Polarisation, from the northern hemisphere for the race
* Leading owner Lloyd Williams is looking for a fifth success. His first was with Major Drive (1987) followed by Gallic (2007) Mourayan (2013) and Gallante last year. He has second favourite Assign in the race
KEY COMMENTS
“If he brings the same form as he had last week or the start before and with the drop to 52 kilograms then they all have to beat him” – jockey Craig Williams on favourite Big Duke.
“I’m just forgetting his last start at Mornington and going off the Adelaide Cup run. And I think he’s a genuine winning chance” – jockey Katelyn Mallyon on Adelaide Cup winner Annus Mirabilis.
“They’ll both go forward. We’ve had a lot of success in the spring using our stamina as an advantage and we can use that again, especially on the soft ground” – Charlie Appleby’s assistant James Ferguson talks about Penglai Pavilion and Polarisation.
“Vengeur Masque is probably the pick of the two. He’s had a good preparation with the aim to get him to the Sydney Cup at his best. Mister Impatience is just a real two-miler and he is also proven on wet ground” – trainer Mike Moroney on Vengeur Masque and Mister Impatience.
