Every year Albury hosts the running of the Albury Gold Cup which would have to be one of the best and richest non Listed races on the Australian Racing calendar. The race gives trainers a great opportunity to test their runners before committing to a Sydney Autumn campaign in coming weeks, Fanjura is the current favourite at $3.80. View my full race preview.
Ginga Dude is one of the class runners to take part in this year's Albury Gold Cup - Photo by Steve Hart
1. Ginga Dude – Multiple group winner who made the trip to Australia from New Zealand last preparation for the Spring carnival and caught the eye after an impressive first up win in the David Jones Cup over 2000m on Caulfield cup day. He then ran an impressive third in the Mackinnon Stakes behind So You Think but has been unable to fire since returning this preparation including a disappointing tenth in the Australian Cup. Finds much easier company here, the distance suits, has a great third up record and has the ability to win on all track surfaces. Should take up a forward position which will suit the Albury track (due to its sharp bend into the straight). Has drawn barrier one but will need to carry the top weight. Should be in the finish.
2. C’est La Guerre – Won the Group 3 Craven Plate over 2000m last preparation but has been disappointing since. Two starts this preparation and hasn’t shown enough to warrant being competitive in this years quality field. Poor form over the distance and his running patten of going back to the tail of the field wont do him any favours and with barrier fourteen to overcome its hard to see him winning. Place chance on his best form.
3. Speed Gifted – Was very disappointing in his Spring campaign were he contested the Makybe Diva Stakes (8th) and the Turnbull Stakes (15th) and was spelled earlier than expected. Returned in the St George Stakes (11th) and again disappointed. Doesn’t like the distance and doesn’t look to be the horse that saw him win the Group 1 Metropolitan. Will most likely get a good run during the race from barrier three allowing him to sit just off the pace but im happy to leave him out of my selections and looks to be under the odds.
4. Playwright – A very consistent galloper who has a great record in country cups, doesn’t have the class factor that other runners in the field have but is never far away from the winner. He is likely go forward to lead the field which will benefit his chances on the Albury track. Will dictate the pace and has a good record over the distance. Good place hope.
5. Fanjura – Another consistent galloper who is never far away from the eventual winner. Ran a very strong race last start in the Blamey Stakes in which he battled on extremely well to hang onto third beaten by two class horses in Dao Dao (2nd) and Whobegotyou (1st). Will follow Playwright forward from barrier thirteen and will look to find a position just off the lead. Has opened as favourite and looks to be deserving of the title although at $3.80 he looks to be under the odds.
6. Rockpecker – Started his campaign with a good win at Sandown but hasn’t caught the eye in any of his following three starts, coming out of the Blamey Stakes like a few of the runners in the Albury Cup and was easily the worst run. Currently holds equal fifth favourtism and at his odds id prefer to look elsewhere. Place chance at best.
7. Extra Zero – Had a very poor spring campaign in which he didn’t figure in any of his four starts, was sent to the paddock and gelded. Returned with an eye catching fifth at Flemington, went into the Blamey Stakes (8th) and was luckless being held up almost the whole way down the straight so im happy to forgive that run in which he should have finished around the winning pair. Looks like he may be back to his best, drops 3kg from last start and jumps from a good barrier (2). Corey Brown was more than happy to make the trip to Albury for the ride and connections are very confident in his chances thus has been well supported by punters. The one to beat.
8. Barlagarney – Sydney runner who has won one of his three starts this preparation. Will go forward in the race which will help although doesn’t look like he has enough class to test some of these. Place chance at best.
9. Deltona – Comes into the race with poor form and hasn’t won for over a year in lesser quality company, has drawn barrier fifteen and will need to improve lengths to figure in the placings. Happy to leave out of my selections.
10. Paddy O’Reilly – A lightly raced 5YO who is on the improve. Was unlucky last start in a Handicap race at Caulfield where he ran fourth but should have finished closer, extra distance should suit and has in form jockey Glen Boss in the saddle. Jumps from barrier eight and will look to position himself midfield throughout the run. Good each way value.
11. Universal Pack – Coming off a win in the Corowa Cup and is one of only two runners to be coming off a last start victory. Jumps up sharply in grade here and doesn’t look to have the ability to figure in the placings. Prefer to leave out.
12. I’m Jake – The only other runner to come off a last start victory. Has won three of eight this preparation albeit in much poorer quality races. Looks to be an improving type but shouldn’t be at the odds of $13. Can find much better chances at his current price, happy to leave him out of my selections.
13. He’s An Angel – Local runner out of the Brian Cox stable, ran a close second in the Corowa Cup where he started second favourite. Drops 6kg from that run but cant see him figuring in the race, likely to take a forward position and hope for a slow pace. Will need lots of favours to figure.
14. Doc Hennessy – Has been in career worst form the past three starts, will go forward and most likely drop out of the race sharply at the 400m mark. Win would surprise.
15. Cudgewa – Improving type but will need to find lengths to figure in the race. Happy to leave out.
16. The Boondock Saint – Will go to the tail of the field and stay there.
Summary: One of the best Albury Cup fields i have seen and it looks to be a very good race, there are plenty of quality horses in the field who will be looking to compete in the Sydney carnival. With the large field their should be decent speed which will give most runners the chance to win. The Albury track is quite sharp turning into the straight so it will be beneficial to be in clear running room and placed no further back than midfield when cornering for the run home, so expect the field to fan wide. A good ride is necessary for any runner from the back of the field to win, so stick to the class jockeys.
Speed: I expect there to be good speed early with a lot of the likely leaders drawing wide but once the field positions itself out the tempo i feel will slacken until the final 600m when jockeys will be looking to get clear to prevent being caught behind a wall of horses. I expect the race to suit runners who will sit midfield.
Selections: Paddy O’Reilly, Extra Zero, Fanjura Ginga Dude
Written by Morgan Payne
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