2015 Group 1 Gold Cup final – latest odds, tips and race comments
ALTHOUGH the final of the Group 1 Macro Meats Gold Cup at Albion Park doesn't include the likes of Space Star and Sweet It Is, a very talented line-up of stayers will contest the 710-metre feature on Thursday night, vying for a share of $123,500 in prize money.
Grandchester trainer Tony Brett puts the polish on two of the finalists, including last week's fastest qualifier Tuavasa Shek. A product of New South Wales, the son of Heston Bale and Thermal Image is unbeaten over the track and distance having won his past three starts with a personal best of 41.73.
Last week's other heat winner Dzeko won at his first attempt over this distance, clocking a respectable 42.00 for Dulguigan trainer Samuel Dart. The daughter of Radley Bale and Rematch showed impressive speed last week and defeated Brett's other qualifier Luna Jinx by two and a half lengths.
Expect plenty of improvement from Victorian chaser Lady Toy, which continues her outstanding run this year, making her 6th group final.
The winner of the Gold Cup will receive $84,700, second place will take home $24,200 and third place will win $12,100 for their respective connections.
Lets take a look at the form of each runner, with tips from our expert form analyst Brad Bugeja.
If you think Brad is on the money with his tips, open an account with William Hill for up to $700 in bonus bets to place on the Gold Cup final.
Box One: Tuavasa Shek
Black Dog – 30.6kg – December 2012
Heston Bale x Thermal Image
Trainer: Tony Brett
Career: 36:13-7-7
Prizemoney: $58,430
T/D: 3:3-0-0
T/D Best: 41.73
Career Highlights: WON Grafton 480m – 27.89, WON Lismore 635m – 37.47, WON Wentworth Park 720m – 42.53
“Has always shown great staying potential and since joining the Tony Brett kennel he appears to have gone to the next level. Last week he surprisingly rolled to the early lead and he was able to reel off impressive sectionals before posting a sizzling 41.73 overall. There is a little bit more speed in tonight's event so he won't be able to lead but if he can just drop in behind them early, he should be right in the mix at the end.”
Odds to win the Gold Cup: $2.25 with William Hill
Box Two: Luna Jinx
Blue Bitch – 25.9kg – May 2012
Velocette x Hannah's Jinx
Trainer: Tony Brett
Career: 42:16-8-3
Prizemoney: $156,795
T/D: 1:0-1-0
T/D Best: 42.16
Career Highlights: WON Group 1 Superstayers Final (The Meadows – 725m), WON Angle Park 600m – 35.27, 731m – 42.77, WON Sandown 715m – 41.68
“Solid effort in her heat last week and she should be much better for the run as it was her first look at the track. One out she is probably the fastest chaser in the race and if given a clear run she wins, however she doesn't like to be crowded in her races and from the inside draw she is going to need some luck. She is likely to start around the $6 to $8 mark and if she happens to blow out further she could be a good value bet.”
Odds to win the Gold Cup: $13 with William Hill
Box Three: Cyndie's Magic
Black Bitch – 26.3kg – March 2013
Magic Sprite x Regal Silver
Trainer: William Elson
Career: 25:9-5-1
Prizemoney: $33,456
T/D: 1:0-0-0
T/D Best: 42.44
Career Highlights: WON Ipswich 431m – 24.89, 520m – 30.77, WON Albion Park 520m – 30.04
“Made her staying debut last week and although she was soundly beaten she was far from disgraced. She missed the kick in her heat and she had to work too hard in the middle stages before weakening in the run home, if she can pounce on the lead in the early stages tonight she should be able to get away mid race and she could hang on for some minor money. She isn't quite strong enough to win but she could be great value for the place.”
Odds to win the Gold Cup: $26 with William Hill
Box Four: Cosmic Vee Bee
Black Bitch – 26.1kg – August 2012
Cosmic Rumble x Fancy Conquest
Trainer: Robert Britton
Career: 42:7-8-2
Prizemoney: $28,950
T/D: 1:0-0-1
T/D Best: 42.16
Career Highlights: WON Dapto 520m – 30.53, WON Nowra 630m – 36.58, WON Geelong 680m – 39.24, WON Sandown 715m – 42.04, The Meadows 725m – 42.99
“Consistent stayer and she turned in a strong effort when placed in her heat last week. She is more than capable of being competitive in a race like this, however from the middle pin she is going to need a lot of things to go her way in the early stages.”
Odds to win the Gold Cup: $17 with William Hill
Box Five: Dzeko
Black Bitch – 25.8kg – October 2012
Radley Bale x Rematch
Trainer: Samuel Dart
Career: 36:10-7-5
Prizemoney: $75,380
T/D: 1:1-0-0
T/D Best: 42.00
Career Highlights: WON 2015 Group 3 Lizrene Final (Sandown – 715m), Albion Park 520m – 30.24, 600M – 34.91, WON Sandown 715m – 41.55
“Star stayer and she looked impressive when scoring here last week in 42 flat. The middle pin should actually suit her tonight and if she can begin well and settle in the first half of the field she should be able to make her presence felt. The time wasn't flashy last week but with a clear passage tonight I can see her going sub 41.70 and that will see her prove extremely hard to hold out.”
Odds to win the Gold Cup: $4 with William Hill
Box Six: Zipping Maggie
Dark Brindle Bitch – 27.5kg – May 2012
Turanza Bale x Natalie Rass
Trainer: Peter Dapiran
Career: 43:13-8-5
Prizemoney: $108,205
T/D: 1:0-0-1
T/D Best: 42.38
Career Highlights: WON 2014 Group 3 Chairmans Cup Final (Wentworth Park – 720m), 2nd 2014 Group 3 Summer Cup (Wentworth Park – 720m), 2nd 2014 Group 3 Sydney Cup (Wentworth Park – 720m), WON The Meadows 525m – 30.22, 600m – 34.45, WON Bendigo 660m – 37.82, WON Wentworth Park 720m – 41.78, WON Sandown 715m – 41.85
“Has made numerous Group race finals and she has been a quality stayer for quite a while now but she never really delivered on her early promise. Last week she was fair to begin and she appeared to be a little one paced when placed behind the classy Dzeko. If she misses it away again she is likely to get buried back and I can't see her making an impact.”
Odds to win the Gold Cup: $8 with William Hill
Box Seven: Hougenie
Black Bitch – 26.4kg – April 2012
Fear Zafonic x Una's Pride
Trainer: Peter Ruetschi
Career: 65:22-12-14
Prizemoney: $99,964
T/D: 11:2-3-4
T/D Best: 41.95
Career Highlights: WON Albion Park 520m – 29.95, WON Ipswich 520m – 30.24, WON Albion Park 600m – 34.69, WON Lismore 635m – 37.45
“Talented local who has a great record around this circuit. She has reeled off impressive sectionals in her past three runs here and if she pounces on the lure again tonight she will prove hard to hold out. Her last 50-metres is never convincing so I dont give her a great winning chance but she is a must for your exotic bets.”
Odds to win the Gold Cup: $26 with William Hill
Box Eight: Lady Toy
Black Bitch – 29.6kg – June 2012
Our Toyman x Railway Shiraz
Trainer: Brooke Ennis
Career: 63:18-16-12
Prizemoney: $265,060
T/D: 1:0-0-0
T/D Best: 42.20
Career Highlights: 2nd 2015 Group 1 Sandown Cup Final (715m), 2nd 2015 Group 1 Superstayers Final (The Meadows 715m), 2nd 2015 Group 1 Galaxy Final (Cannington – 715m), 2nd 2015 Group 1 Association Cup (Wentworth Park – 520m), 3rd 2015 Group 3 Lizrene Final (Sandown – 715m), WON Ballarat 545m – 31.32, 660m – 37.59, WON Sandown 595m – 34.13, WON The Meadows 600m – 34.80, WON Cranbourne 699m – 41.34, WON Sandown 715m – 41.80, WON Wentworth Park 520m – 41.85
“Super talent but she was a tad disappointing in her heat last week, however she is too good to dismiss and I'm willing to give her one more chance. The wide draw doesn't really suit but if she can come out on terms with the rest of the field, she should be able to work across into a prominent spot and with a clear passage she will prove hard to hold out. She is currently around the $3.75 mark and I think that is a great bet.”
Odds to win the Gold Cup: $3.75 with William Hill
Top Four: 8 – 2 – 5 – 1
Suggested Bets
Win bet on Lady Toy
Quinella: 8 to rove with 1,2,5 ($3 for 100%)
Exacta: 2,5,8/1,2,5,8 ($9 for 100%)
Trifecta: 8/1,2,5/Field ($18 for 100%)