This Saturday, the electric atmosphere of Randwick Racecourse crackles with anticipation as Australia’s elite stayers gather for the prestigious Sydney Cup. The two-mile test of pure grit and tactical brilliance separates the champions from the pretenders.

Will a local legend add their name to the Sydney Cup honor roll, or will a foreign challenger conquer the famous track? International raiders have their eyes on the coveted prize, but our homegrown heroes are primed to defend their turf.

Race overview

• Date: Saturday, April 13th, 2024
• Location: Randwick Racecourse, Sydney
• Distance: 3200 Meters
• Conditions: Handicap
• Status: Group 1 race
• Prize Money: $2,000,000 AUD

1. Military Mission (17) -Multiple Group 2 winner. Useful gelding. Most recently 6th of 8 at Rosehill in the G1 Tancred on March 30 over 2400m, 2 len behind Kalapour carrying 59kg at $8.50. Before that second last in a small field at Rosehill in the G1 Ranvet on March 23 over 2000m, 2.25 len behind Via Sistina with 59kg at $17. Strong winning hope.

2. Mahrajaan (16) – Group 2 winner. Comes here off a 35-day let-up. Last start won by 0.8 len at Ellerslie G2 Auckland Cup March 9 over 3200m defeating Good Oil with 54.8kg at $26.10. The run before that 12th of 18 at Ellerslie in the G2 Avondale Cup on February 17 over 2400m, 8 len behind Asterix with 52.5kg at $56.90. Undefeated this trip and must be kept safe.

3. Ashrun (12) – Multiple Group 1 placegetter. At the latest run 3rd of 8 at Rosehill in the G1 Tancred on March 30 over 2400m, 1.5 len behind Kalapour with 59kg at $6. The start before that came from midfield and won by 1.75 len at Pakenham LR Pakenham Cup March 15 over 2500m defeating Glentaneous carrying 58kg at $2.90. Drops sharply in weight and finished fourth in the Melbourne Cup last year.

4. Loft (7) – Multiple Group 2 winner. Most recently eased back early on 6th of 10 at this track in the G2 Chairmans on April 6 over 2600m, on heavy track; 7 len behind Circle Of Fire with 59kg at $26. The run before that second last of 12 at Pakenham in the LR Pakenham Cup on March 15 over 2500m, 15 len behind Ashrun carrying 58.5kg at $26. Has rough place claims.

5. Stockman (8) – Group 1 placegetter. At the latest run 5th of 10 at this track in the G2 Chairmans on April 6 over 2600m, on a wet track; 3.5 len behind Circle Of Fire carrying 58.5kg at $4. The race before that 6th of 9 at Rosehill in the G3 N E Manion Cup on March 23 over 2400m, 6 len behind Post Impressionist carrying 58kg at $15. Fully tested this trip.

6. Selino (9) – Group 1 winner. Last start got back early 8th of 12 at Flemington in the LR Roy Higgins on March 30 over 2600m, 7 len behind Mark Twain with 58.5kg at $26. The start before that second last of 7 at Caulfield in the LR Vic Cup on March 16 over 2000m, 10 len behind Gear Up with 60kg at $81. Cannot be ruled out despite a lacklustre effort last time.

7. Kalapour (6) – HE Tancred Stakes winner. Useful type. At the latest run tracked the speed and boxed on steadily; won by a head at Rosehill G1 Tancred March 30 over 2400m defeating More Felons with 59kg at $26. Before that 2nd of 7 at Rosehill in the G3 Sky High on March 16 over 2000m, on a slow track; 4 len behind Lindermann carrying 55.5kg at $17. Won last start and is well-placed again.

8. Serpentine (4) – Group 1 winner. Third-up today and won third-up in the past. First-up won by 0.9 len at this track LR Rand City March 9 over 2000m defeating Bois D’argent with 56.5kg at $5. Second run from a spell won by 0.5 len at Rosehill G3 Sellwood March 30 over 2000m defeating Zeyrek with 55kg at $3. Take on trust at the trip.

9. Amade (5) – Group 2 winner. Recent form sound. Comes off a 33 day let-up. Most recently 4th of 16 at Morphettville in the G2 Adl Cup on March 11 over 3200m, 3 len behind Excelleration carrying 58kg at $8. The race before that 3rd of 14 at Moonee Valley in the LR Torney Cup on February 23 over 2500m, 2.25 len behind Monbaher carrying 60kg at $14. This is well within his grasp.

10. Athabascan (11) – Group 3 winner. Recent form sound. Last start 4th of 8 at Rosehill in the G1 Tancred on March 30 over 2400m, 1.75 len behind Kalapour carrying 59kg at $26. The start before that 4th of 7 at Rosehill in the G3 Sky High on March 16 over 2000m, slow going 7 len behind Lindermann carrying 55.5kg at $4.50. Ran on late last start and drops sharply in weight here.

11. Manzoice (1) – Victoria Derby winner. Last start 2nd of 9 at Rosehill in the G3 N E Manion Cup on March 23 over 2400m, 3.5 len behind Post Impressionist carrying 55kg at $15. The start before that 5th of 9 at this track in the LR Rand City on March 9 over 2000m, 2 len behind Serpentine with 56kg at $10. Don’t dismiss.

12. Circle Of Fire (15) – Group 2 winner. Smart type with a sense of timing. At the latest run favourite; won by a long-neck at this track G2 Chairmans April 6 over 2600m in heavy going defeating Hopeful with 53kg at $3.50. The start before that 4th of 11 at Rosehill Bm78 on March 16 over 1900m, on a slow track; 3 len behind Wymark carrying 60.5kg at $6.50. Last-start winner with the ability to take this out.

13. Glentaneous (2) – Useful gelding. At the latest run 6th of 12 at Flemington in the LR Roy Higgins on March 30 over 2600m, 2.5 len behind Mark Twain with 57kg at $4.50. The race before that 2nd of 12 at Pakenham in the LR Pakenham Cup on March 15 over 2500m, 1.75 len behind Ashrun carrying 54kg at $4.50. Genuine contender with the 51.5kg.

14. Major Beel (3) – ATC Australian Derby winner. Third-up today and placed third-up previously. First-up couldn’t go on with it; 7th of 12 at Pakenham in the LR Pakenham Cup on March 15 over 2500m, 7 len behind Ashrun carrying 56kg at $13. Second-up 4th of 12 at Flemington in the LR Roy Higgins on March 30 over 2600m, 1.5 len behind Mark Twain with 58.5kg at $19. Profiles nicely. Value chance.

15. Mostly Cloudy (14) – Third-up today and won third-up in the past. Resuming ran on strongly from last on the turn; 2nd of 8 at Wangaratta Hcp on March 2 over 2000m, 1.75 len behind Toogoodfortoorak with 60kg at $6.50. Last start ran on from midfield; 3rd of 12 at Flemington in the LR Roy Higgins on March 30 over 2600m, 0.8 len behind Mark Twain carrying 56kg at $7.50. Not far away last time. Undefeated this trip and has each way claims.

16. Torrens (13) – Most recently 7th of 9 at Rosehill in the G3 N E Manion Cup on March 23 over 2400m, 6 len behind Post Impressionist with 54kg at $11. Before that raced on the speed throughout before fading second last of 9 at this track in the LR Rand City on March 9 over 2000m, 4.5 len behind Serpentine with 55.5kg at $19. Others preferred at this stage.

17. So Dazzling (10) – Group 1 placegetter. At the latest run 4th of 10 at this track in the G2 Chairmans on April 6 over 2600m, on rain affected going; 3.5 len behind Circle Of Fire carrying 53kg at $16. The run before that second last of 14 at Rosehill in the G3 Epona on March 23 over 1900m, 10 len behind Osmose carrying 54.5kg at $21. Needs to find several lengths to threaten.

Our Tips for the day!

Group 1 winner SERPENTINE (8) scored narrowly by half a length last time out at Rosehill. Is down in weight this start. Expected to measure up again. ATC Australian Derby winner MAJOR BEEL (14) finished fourth last start beaten 1.5 lengths at Flemington over 2600m. He can contest. GLENTANEOUS (13) finished in the middle of the pack last start at Flemington as the favourite. Is up in distance today, rates an each way chance. Group 3 winner ATHABASCAN (10) finished off strongly when beaten 1.75 lengths last time at Rosehill. Should be winding up late again. MOSTLY CLOUDY (15) was narrowly beaten second up when in the money at Flemington and close to the winner. Can feature.

Tips: (8)-(14)-(13)-(10)-(15)