Australian Cup Runner-By-Runner Guide

The Australian Cup pits some quality gallopers up against one another and we take a look at the Australian Cup horses. 

Here is our runner-by-runner look at the Australian Cup horses.

2021 Australian Cup Horses

1. HUMIDOR $18
The old-timer rises sharply in trip after running 4th in the Orr Stakes (1400m) and was placed behind the likes of Russian Camelot and Arcadia Queen at his second and third runs last time, while he won this race in 2017. He is a chance with the right run.

2. HARLEM $26
Harlem appears to be outclassed but managed to win this race at $61 in 2018 and $31 in 2019. He will settle handy and must be respected on his runs from those years but his best might be behind him.

3. FIFTY STARS $4.40
The race favourite profiles perfectly for this and appreciated the solid tempo last weekend when runner-up behind Star Of The Seas in the Blamey Stakes (1600m). Will be peaking at his third run back and won this race last year after winning the Blamey the week prior, while he also ran well when runner-up to Arcadia Queen in the Mackinnon Stakes (2000m). Expect him to be fighting out the finish. Went 13.7 lengths faster than standard last week and 15.2 lengths faster than standard in the Mackinnon last year. On those figures at this time of his preparation, he shapes as the one to beat.

4. HOMESMAN $15
Another that will settle handy to the lead, the seven-year-old carries the Lloyd Williams colours and those horses do know how to win at Flemington at the 2000m and above. However, his recent second up form does provide a few question marks.

5. WARNING $34
The Victoria Derby (2500m) winner from 2019 resumes after running 12th in the Melbourne Cup and is unlikely to trouble the frontrunners. Look for him in Sydney later on and over longer trips.

6. ANGEL OF TRUTH $18
The Team Hawkes-trained galloper has not won since taking out the 2019 Australian Derby but did run home solidly when 6th in the Peter Young Stakes (1800m). A top five contender on that effort.

7. BEST OF DAYS $26
The Godolphin galloper has come back in good order this autumn and all settle on the speed but needs the breaks.

8. STEEL PRINCE $13
A genuine contender here. The Geelong Cup (2400m) winner from the spring resumed with a luckless 4th in the Peter Young Stakes when posted out wide but stuck on well behind Paradee, beaten just under a length. Top five is within his grasp.

9. CHAPADA $21
Another that might need further, Chapada ran 7th in the Peter Young Stakes and hasn’t won at the distance in five attempts.

10. PLATOON $26
The West Aussie jumps sharply in trip and was five lengths off them in the Kingston Town Stakes (1800m) last December and looks a similar margin from the favoured runners in this race.

11. SHARED AMBITION $10
Has to be considered after finishing runner-up in the Peter Young Stakes as that race is the time honoured lead up to the Australian Cup. Will get a nice run from barrier 2 with Mark Zahra to ride and can land in the top five.

12. DEFIBRILLATE $13
The Patrick Payne-trained galloper just keeps winning and will be going for five on the trot. The question mark is whether or not he is up to this class and I am willing to risk.

13. SAN HUBERTO $21
I really liked the way this guy closed off in the Mornington Cup Prelude but he might lack the brilliance to rouble some of the favoured runners.

14. NONCONFORMIST $12
Was wide the trip in the Peter Young Stakes and can improve off that run. The Graeme Begg-trained galloper ended up in 5th position and is unbeaten over the 2000m, defeating Harlem in the Coongy Cup when third up last spring.

15. MIAMI BOUND $61
Will need a downpour to be any chance here.

16. MISS SISKA $34
Fought out the Carlyon Cup and has not won in eight visits to the track but was runner-up behind Oceanex in the Matriarch Stakes (2000m) last year. A sneaky contender at big odds.

17. PARADEE $6
The four-year-old from the Danny O’Brien stable has always shown ability and scored in the Peter Young Stakes after stalking Homesman. She has drawn barrier 1 and sometimes that can be the place to be at Flemington. Went 10.5 lengths faster than standard in the Peter Young, which is a personal best for her.

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