2016 Group 1 Hume Cup – free tips and complete betting preview
THE group racing spotlight will shine on The Meadows on Monday night for the running of the Group 1 Hume Cup (600m).
The current favourite for the event is Jason Thompson's Buck Forty which will jump from an ideal draw in box one. The 37-kilogram powerhouse is rated a $2.80 shot by online bookmaker Sportsbet and will be looking to add to his victories in the Group 1 Peter Mosman Classic and the Group 2 Launching Pad.
The black dog has an excellent record from the inside draw, with three wins and two minor placings from six starts, whilst he has also won two over the track and trip at The Meadows.
Thompson will also rug up two other contenders in the $75,000-to-the-winner event, with Aeroplane Tommy and Pop The Cork set to jump from boxes two and three respectively.
Aeroplane Tommy, a $5.50 chance, was the slowest heat winner last week, clocking 35.03 on a rain effected track, however he does boast a 34.41 personal best and seems to relish being drawn closer to the fence.
Pop The Cork is a flying machine when on song and was impressive at his debut over the 600m trip when winning his heat in 34.76. A multiple group finalist, the regally bred son of Brett Lee and Ima Geisha Girl will take his career earnings above the $155,000 mark if he is successful in Monday night's event.
It is set to be a big few days for Thompson, who also has Aston Bolero engaged in the Group 3 Silver Bullet on Hume Cup night. Additionally, Thompson will also be preparing to cheer on his son Ben, an apprentice jockey, who has booked a ride in the Melbourne Cup this Tuesday at Flemington.
Ben will be riding Rose Of Virginia in the race that stops a nation, not bad considering he has only been riding for two years.
Looking to upset team Thompson on Monday night will be second favourite Fanta Bale at $3.60. The Robert Britton-trained bitch is drawn awkwardly in box six, but is a highly talented individual.
The daughter of David Bale and Ucme Typhoon also comes into the final high on confidence having won her past five starts, two of which have been over the middle distance trip.
The remainder of the field are currently at double figure odds, headed by another Britton-trained runner in Silverali (box four).
A $13 chance, the brindle dog was the fastest heat winner, clocking 34.45 when defeating classy NSW campaigner Brad Hilly Billy (box five).
The Group 1 Hume Cup is race eight on the card at The Meadows on Monday night and will jump at 10:04pm.
Group 1 Hume Cup – market and statistics
Box One – Buck Forty
Black Dog – 37.4kg – January 2014
Buck Fever x Fancy Jaffa
Prize money: $310,913
Trainer: Jason Thompson
Career: 34: 13-7-6
Box: 6: 3-2-0
T/D: 3: 2-0-0
T/D Best: 34.47
Odds to win the Hume Cup: $2.80 with Sportsbet
Box Two – Aeroplane Tommy
Black Dog – 35.4kg – January 2014
Turanza Bale x Ritza Night
Prize money: $52,567
Trainer: Jason Thompson
Career: 29: 11-6-4
Box: 4: 2-2-0
T/D: 3: 3-0-0
T/D Best: 34.41
Odds to win the Hume Cup: $5.50
Box Three – Pop The Cork
Black Dog – 31.0kg – July 2013
Brett Lee x Ima Geisha Girl
Prize money: $81,683
Trainer: Jason Thompson
Career: 33: 17-0-3
Box: 2: 1-0-1
T/D: 1: 1-0-0
T/D Best: 34.76
Odds to win the Hume Cup: $3.60
Box Four – Silverali
Brindle Dog – 32.4kg – August 2014
Velocette x Molly Grace
Prize money: $44,630
Trainer: Rob Britton
Career: 24: 7-3-5
Box: 1: 0-0-0
T/D: 24: 7-3-5
T/D Best: 2: 1-0-0
Odds to win the Hume Cup: $13 with Sportsbet
Box Five – Brad Hilly Billy
Black Dog – 31.6kg – January 2013
Kinloch Brae x Break Even
Prize money: $260,190
Trainer: Ray Smith
Career: 78: 29-16-15
Box: 13: 3-3-4
T/D: 2: 0-1-0
T/D Best: NBT
Odds to win the Hume Cup: $17
Box Six – Fanta Bale
Black Bitch – 28.0kg – August 2014
David Bale x Ucme Typhoon
Prize money: $58,770
Trainer: Rob Britton
Career: 16: 12-0-1
Box: 3: 2-0-0
T/D: 2: 2-0-0
T/D Best: 34.73
Odds to win the Hume Cup: $3.60
Box Seven – Margins
Black Dog – 37.0kg – February 2013
Bekim Bale x Gogo Sutro
Prize money: $195,110
Trainer: Brooke Ennis
Career: 75: 23-15-12
Box: 6: 0-4-0
T/D: 6: 3-1-1
T/D Best: 34.58
Odds to win the Hume Cup: $21
Box Eight – Eddie Eagle
Black Dog – 32.8kg – September 2014
Barcia Bale x Lara's Rock
Prize money: $18,110
Trainer: James Psaila
Career: 21: 6-4-1
Box: 2: 0-1-0
T/D: 4: 1-1-0
T/D Best: 34.73
Odds to win the Hume Cup: $26