It’s a true international field for this year's Albury Cup with five of the leading chances having started their careers in Europe, among them a horse owned by Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth (Bold Sniper) and an import who won the Italian Derby as a three-year-old (Goldstream).
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The US-bred Green Sweet is the only one of the imports not to have won in Australia but that is excusable as he has raced here only once for a fine second at Rosehill.
The field draws together two previous Albury Cup winners in Extra Zero and Kourkam, the all-conquering Darren Weir with his first Albury Cup starter Goldstream and the might of the Freedman (Cool Chap) and Lindsay Park (Extra Zero, Bold Sniper) stables each going for their third win in the race.
The 2012 winner Extra Zero, now a 10-year-old, is running in the Albury Cup for the fourth time in what will be the 97th career start for the evergreen veteran.
The field is devoid of recognised pacemakers which may lead to a muddling early tempo. The trio most likely to push forward early are Bonfire, Green Sweet and Survived while Bold Sniper, Goldstream, Red Alto and Chaquinta should be close up.
The key factor for all runners will be their ability to handle a seriously affected track after the heavy rain that hit Albury earlier in the week. Horses that standout on their wet form include Bonfire, Cool Chap, Adirondack, Suvived and Chaquinta. After last Sunday’s meeting and the subsequent rain runners may find the best going away from the inside rail.
CUP TIP: Cool Chap gives Lee and Anthony Freedman a great chance to record back-to-back wins after last year’s success with Tom Melbourne. Last year’s VRC St Leger winner is now deep into a preparation that has seen him place in three of his four starts in strong form races since January. His 2000m form is excellent and he also boasts wet track credentials that are superior to many of his rivals.
Sydney’s premiership leader Brenton Avdulla is riding in top form and will also have taken plenty from his first ride on the gelding at his last start when he finished hard for a close second in the Canberra Cup when blinkers were applied for the first time.
TRIFECTA AND FIRST 4 PICKS: I like the build up Adirondack has had for this race and he ticks a lot of the right boxes with good 2000m form and a strong record on soft tracks. Goldstream has found his form for Darren Weir and Bonfire should progress from his Yarra Valley Cup placing last weekend. It would be foolish to ignore Extra Zero, Bold Sniper and Green Sweet in extended exotic bets.
FLEXI CUP TRIFECTA: 4/5/7; 1/2/3/4/5/7/8; 1/2/3/4/5/7/8
BEST BETS
RACE 1 (3) LUNAR DUCHESS: Talented mare certain to be primed for big first-up showing on home track by the Cavanough stable. Showed excellent ability on soft and heavy tracks in her first preparation last spring including an unlucky second in a strong Class 3 Highway race at Randwick. Hard to beat in this grade on that form.
RACE 3 (2) CHLOE’S COMET: This Gai Waterhouse/Adrian Bott-trained mare hit winning form with a vengeance at Canberra’s Black Opal meeting on March 5 when a convincing winner second-up over 1400m carrying 58kg after she settled back in the field against the pattern but proved far too good in the run home. Has good third-up stats and is most effective on soft ground.
VALUE BET: RACE 5 (4) NAT KING CU: Proven weight carrier has the form on the board to test this good field. Won a 1200m sprint under 61kg at Canberra two runs back then tackled the classy National Sprint over 1400m at the same track last time and held his own when sixth. Well placed here coming back in distance and has an outstanding record on wet tracks
FLEXI QUADDIE: 4/5/8/9/10; 2/4/5/7/8; 1/2/6/7/14; 1/4/10