Form analyst, RIC CHAPMAN, looks at every runner in Saturday’s $1million Gr 1 Kingsford Smith Cup with horse racing tips for the first four. Read on to see how he maps his South Aussie classic. Good luck!
Eagle Farm R8 – $1million Kingsford Smith Cup (WFA) 1300m
1. EDUARDO (5) 2x1406x20x
T; Joe Pride/ J: Nash Rawiller (59kg)
What a brilliant race horse. Is particularly tough when resuming but this is 1300m first up and that always sees him out. Saying that, on his day he is impossible to pass although his best days may be behind him.
2. A CASE OF YOU (6) 130x00x565
T: Mick Price & Michael Kent/ J: Mark Zahra (59kg)
Has been lurking just behind the placegetters in similar races of late and is now very fit. Only two lengths behind Giga Kick last start when carrying more weight than him and Giga Kick would be a $1.50 chance in this. Big show.
3. PAULELE (16) 2x61801x84
T: James Cummings / J; Ben Melham (59kg)
Is racing here to stay a racehorse. A poor run will see him head to stud but if he shows up he goes on to the Stradbroke. The stable is keen following a narrow loss to Rothfire first up when ridden close to speed. If he settles back a bit he can fly late. Is very fit. Keep safe.
4. ROTHFIRE (7) 3x15285x21
T: Rob Heathcote / J:Blake Shinn (59kg)
Steps up a little in class here but is a big chance. It’s been a month since he sat on speed and proved a little too tough for King of Sparta with Paulele a head away. Is fitter now and has won 6 races at this track. Expect a very big run.
5. VILANA (13) 18x1810x17
T: James Cummings / J: James Mcdonald (59kg)
Has talent and is very interesting here. Is 3rd up and the stable rate his hopes very highly here. Didn’t get around the tight Doomben track last start when 7th to Giga Kick in the Gr 1 10,000. Is fitter now and had brilliantly won previous, easier start.
T: Gai Waterhouse & Adrian Bott / J: Tim Clark (59kg)
Goes very well this time of year but has been freshened up following inglorious run in the Gr 1 Doncaster over a mile last start. Is good enough but isn’t a fan of wet tracks.
7. KING OF SPARTA (2) 6146×11462
T: Team Snowden/ J: Chad Schofield (59kg)
Interesting runner. Is such an honest type but is about half a length behind the top two or three. Saying that he is very fit and was beaten a half head by Rothfire last start. Has the perfect draw and likes the trip. Will take beating.
8. KIRWAN’S LANE (15) x44131x69x
T:John O’Shea /J: Opie Bosson (59kg)
Is a good handicap horse but first up here will test him. Will make ground late though.
9. ELEVEN ELEVEN (14) 430x5L92x7
T: Greg Hickman /J: Tyler Schiller (59kg)
This bloke is a good tough sprinter who likes to run on but may find this too hard at this level just 2nd up.
10. GENTLEMAN ROY (18) 2146×12470
T: Team Hayes / J: Craig Williams (59kg)
May be the dark horse, well would have been until the barrier draw. Will have to go very hard from this gate and that will test him late.
11. THINK ABOUT IT (8) 113x1111x1
T: Joe Pride / J: Sam Clipperton (59kg)
Top class rising star who has won 7 of his 8 races to date. Never been to this level before but he just keeps winning. Is a stablemate to Eduardo and will appreciate a solid tempo. Knows how to win and class may not be an issue late. Have in your numbers.
12. EMERALD KINGDOM (4) 4181610×42
T: Desleigh Forster /J: Damien Thornton (59kg)
Good honest type who comes here off a great and very close 2nd in the Archer at Rockhampton last start. This is obviously harder but has form around some of these. Has drawn well too.
13. ALPINE EDGE (17) 505x721x01
T: Team Edmonds /J: Ryan Maloney (59kg)
Good local sprinter who finished like a rocket to just win the Archer at Rocky last start. Mixes his form but if he is on he can run a big race.
14. THE INFERNO (9) 730x400x92
T: Cliff Brown / J: Craig Newitt (59kg)
Has shown up in tougher races in the past but past few runs, excluding last start 2nd in Adelaide, have been poor. Not keen.
15. PROMISE OF SUCCESS (12) 5x7109x975
T: John O’Shea / J: Jason Collett (57kg)
SCRATCHED
16. PALAISIPAN (19) 13x3220x42
T: Chris Munce / J: Josh Parr (57kg)
This is harder than past few but she is very consistent as was shown last start when beaten a nostril with big weight at the Sunny Coast in stakes race. Probably drops back from this gate but can run on.
17. CHAILLOT (11) x68x060x1x
T: Steve O’Dea & Matt Hoysted / J: Jordan Childs (59kg)
Interesting runner. Resumes here and has a phenomenal record while fresh. Mind you hasn’t raced at Gr 1 level when resuming. Last start was a Sunny Coast win in weaker stakes race.
18. IRISH SONGS (10) 909×612619
T: Louise White /J: Larry Cassidy (59kg)
Nice tough handicap sprinter but mixes his form a bit and may find this hard.
19. ANTINO (3) 1x1131x11
T: Tony Gollan /J: James Orman (59kg)
This bloke is airborne but is a restricted class galloper. Mind you, has won 6 of his 7 starts. Can run fast last 600m sectionals but is rising a long way in grade. Nicely drawn though.
