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Historical Analysis of the Sydney Cup
A two mile G1 test in Australia is becoming a thing of the past. Perth and Brisbane have reduced their Cups to a mile and a half while Adelaide stays at the 3200m but has also lost its status.
It’s doubtful the Sydney Cup would change but it needed some good winners to keep the wolves at bay and like the Metropolitan, it has had them recently.
It is unlikely there are any Makybe Divas, Tie the Knots, Kingston Towns or Galilee around at present but there is a prestigious race to win. Who takes 2019’s renewal?
PROFILING THE RACE
o The first running of the 2017 Sydney Cup was called a no race after Almoonqith broke down and the field would have to avoid him over the line.
o County Tyrone ran in an amazing SIX straight Sydney Cups for a record of 1 win, 2 x 2nd, 2 x 4th and an 8th. Who Shot Thebarman ran in five officially and six unofficially after running in both 2017 editions.
o Inside to middle barriers have been the most successful - barrier 8 won it six times over 13 years.
o Mares have only won three times since 1989.
o It’s been a good race for some not so high profile trainers.
o Tie the Knot’s 57kg then Mourayan’s 58kg are the highest weights carried since 1976 which was on a lower limit.
o Last 10 Winners Most Prevalent Age of winner - 5yo (4 times)
o Last 10 Winners Average Weight of winner - 53.5kg
o Last 10 Winners Average Price of winner - $12.50
o Breakdown of winners - 7 geldings, 2 entires & 1 mare
o Races that the winner ran in prior - Chairman’s Hcp (6), Tancred Stks (2), NE Manion Cup (1), Spell (1).
RECENT WINNERS
2018 - WHO SHOT THEBARMAN 9g (Yamanin Vital x Ears Carol) ($17)
Jockey: Blake Shinn, Trainer: Chris WallerBarrier: 10, Weight: 55.0kg, Gross Time: 3:20.04
Margin: 0.1L, Track: Good (4), Starters: 172nd: Zacada (50.5kg), 3rd: Sir Charles Road (50.0kg)
Review: There would be few more deserved of another major win than Who Shot Thebarman. Not many 9yos have won G1s in racing. He was contesting his fifth Sydney Cup or you could say sixth after he fell in the initial one in 2017 before a close second in the re-run.
There was a strong pace into a strong wind as the leaders fell in hole on the corner. Coming into the race on the bend, Blake Shinn pulled him wide as the kiwi went inside.
He gave weight to those in the finish so no excuses. Waller made it three straight G1s on the day. What a warrior ‘the barman’ was!
2017 - POLARISATION 5g (Echo Of Light x Concordia) ($6.50)
Jockey: Corey Brown, Trainer: Charlie ApplebyBarrier: 6, Weight: 51.5kg, Gross Time: 3:29.16
Margin: 0.2L, Track: Heavy (8), Starters: 142nd: Who Shot Thebarman (57.0kg), 3rd: Big Duke (52.0kg)
Review: It wasn’t hard to find the story line for the second running of the 2017 Sydney Cup. After the sadness of the first attempt when Almoonqith broke down and the race had to be called off, there was much discussion about that decision with one of the critics after the race being Corey Brown who won it on Polarisation.
Second time around, the pace was on as newcomer to the race Lasqueti Spirit charged away up the back straight. It helped the strongest stayer and Brown got going on the bend.
The horse who lost the rider first time around Who Shot Thebarman loomed and Big Duke battled on but Charlie Appleby got another feature staying win in Australia - this one his first G1.
2016 - GALLANTE 5h (Montjeu x Crazy Volume) ($10)
Jockey: Kerrin McEvoy, Trainer: Robert HickmottBarrier: 11, Weight: 51.5kg, Gross Time: 3:24.53
Margin: 1.3L, Track: Soft (5), Starters: 112nd: Libran (53.0kg), 3rd: Grand Marshal (55.0kg)
Review: For so many years Lloyd Williams and his team target the staying races around the country with their imports. This year’s Sydney Cup was full of ex-overseas horses but only one from that stable.
Gallante had had as many starts in Sydney as he had in Melbourne which was not usual. His Manion Cup run was solid but he needed rain and also got the best front running jockey in the business.
McEvoy got him into a rhythm and made the Waller squad have to chase from the half mile. They closed around the bend but he still had plenty in hand. Over the latter stages there was more than enough to hold the other main hopes off.