VIDEO: Simon Marshall – Australian Cup and Newmarket Handicap Posted on March 10, 2017March 11, 2017 | Posted by Simon Marshall It’s Super Saturday this weekend and we have three big Group 1 races for analysis. There are two meetings to look forward to: one at Flemington and the other at Rosehill Gardens. At Flemington we have the Newmarket Handicap, worth $1.2 million for the sprinters, as well as the Australian Cup run at weight-for-age level over 2000m and worth $1.5 million. At Rosehill Gardens we’ll look forward to seeing the fillies and mares fight it out in the Coolmore Classic over 1500m. In the Newmarket Handicap all the talk has been around four-year-old stallion Spieth. Trained by Bryce Heys, he received 55.5kg from the handicapper and, for a horse that hasn’t won a Group 1 race, he is very close to the likes of the proven performer Terravista. Last year’s winner The Quarterback will carry 55kg. Despite the weights not appearing to be in his favour, I still think he is the horse to beat. Last year he ran an unlucky second in the Darley Classic to Malaguerra over the straight six (the same distance as this race) and he was also a little unlucky when returning from a spell when finishing second behind Terravista in the Lightning Stakes, carrying 58.5kg. Under the handicap conditions he now meets that winner better at the weights and just needs the luck from his barrier one but has a champion jockey, Hugh Bowman, aboard to navigate his course. We move on now to the Australian Cup. This year’s edition is an even affair with only two horses in the field having won a Group 1 race over 2000m (#2 Awesome Rock and #3 The United States). I’m leaning towards last year’s Caulfield Cup winner in Jameka. The star mare has had two runs this time in and both were very impressive. She now steps up to the 2000m on the spacious Flemington track and I think it’ll suit her perfectly. If she salutes it could be a big day for Hugh Bowman, who replaces Luke Nolen in the saddle. I feel the dangers will come are #6 Exospheric, #3 The United States and #10 Humidor, who is still learning what the caper is all about. Throw them in your multiples. Finally, we turn our attention to Sydney where the rain continues to fall. At this stage it seems as if they’ll run on a Heavy 8 or Heavy 9 but, due to the inconsistency of the weather forecast, I’ll provide you my numbers without a great deal of confidence. In the Coolmore Classic I’ve marked three-year-old filly #14 Omei Sword on top. From the Chris Waller stable, her first up run when second in the Surround Stakes over 1400m was eye-catching, she seems to handle the wet and with natural improvement stepping up to the 1500m I think she can take the next step. Her main rivals will be #11 Euro Angel, who boasts an impressive record, and Group 1 winning Kiwi #7 La Bella Diosa who looks a great hope coming off her first Australian win at Randwick a fortnight ago. To my all-important SuperPicks. 1 Australian Cup: R8 #11 Jameka (Profit Plus 50% WIN) 2 Coolmore Classic: R7 #13 Zanbagh (Money Back – Run 2nd or 3rd)
Matt Young’s Friday Narrogin Preview July 11, 2025 Race 1 Open race. Early speed looks to consist with BLIND EDITION (3) and SPEED FORCE (4) who both are just racing okay to be… Read More
Trent Cooper’s Gloucester Park Preview July 11, 2025 Race 1 STRONG THE STRIKER (1) faced the breeze when a strong 2nd on debut. He looks to have enough gate speed to hold up… Read More
Shayne Williams’ Friday Greyhound Best Bets July 11, 2025 MANDURAH Race 6 No. 1 Motor City Rossi Long over due for a victory this fellow, he’s a dead set case for box 1, and… Read More
Chris Nelson’s Saturday Doomben Preview July 10, 2025 RACE 1 Racing at Doomben on Saturday will be under sunny skies on a Good rated surface following a week of perfect winter weather. With… Read More
Chris Nelson’s Saturday Randwick Preview July 10, 2025 RACE 1 Racing in Sydney on Saturday comes from Randwick where we will be racing on near enough to a good track under fine skies…. Read More
Scott Embry’s Saturday Bunbury Preview July 10, 2025 RACE 1 TWISTED STEEL made a mess of them on debut at Northam, winning by 4L and it was revealed post-race that his trackwork partner… Read More
Scott Embry’s Friday Carnarvon Preview July 10, 2025 RACE 1 KING MAHUTA has his first start on the dirt which is always an unknown but as a general rule Brett Pope’s have always… Read More
Warren Huntly’s Saturday Caulfield Preview July 10, 2025 Race 1 CASTELLITO has jumped out impressively on rain affected ground and looks ready to make her presence felt on debut. SIGNATURE SCENT impressed on… Read More
Digby Beacham’s AFL Preview: Round 18 July 10, 2025 THURSDAY Carlton v Brisbane, Marvel Stadium, 5.30pm Irony is present in many forms. Michael Voss, both one of the greatest players in Brisbane’s history and… Read More
Shayne Williams’ Thursday Greyhound Best Bets July 10, 2025 MANDURAH Race 5 No. 1 Tempting Lulu He’s had the two runs in the west now, first up he was really good over the short… Read More
Shayne Williams’ Wednesday Greyhound Best Bets July 9, 2025 CANNINGTON Race 1 No. 1 Beautiful Babe She’s dropping in trip but she’s also down in the grades, has won over this distance in the… Read More
Scott Embry’s Thursday Northam Preview July 8, 2025 RACE 1 GOD’LL GETYA obvious has feet troubles so seeing the Bar Plates come off is a great sign. Won a barrier trial by 5L… Read More