Best Bets For Doncaster Mile At Randwick
Sydney Cup Preview & Best Bets
It is day two of the Star Championships at Randwick this weekend. The Sydney Cup is one of four Group One races on the card, and it is the longest race scheduled at the racecourse all season.
Other highlights on the card include the Queen Elizabeth Stakes, a race worth $5 million and the Australian Oaks. Here are the best bets for day two of the Star Championships at Randwick.
BEST BET: ALALCANCE
Race 7 (Sydney Cup)
Since switching to Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott’s yard in March, Alalcance is unbeaten in two starts in Australia. She won the Group Three N E Manion Cup at Rosehill (2400m) on her debut for her new trainers. Then just weeks later, she stepped up in class to land the Group Two Chairman’s Quality at Randwick (2600m).
The daughter of Mastercraftsman took four starts to get off the mark in Ireland. She relished heavy ground when winning at the Curragh in October 2023. Since then, she has had issues which have kept her off the track. This means that despite being five years old, she remains unexposed.
Alalcance is stepping up in trip again in the Sydney Cup, and we will likely see further improvement from her. Bott has stated he thinks his mare will relish the distance and that she has come out of her last run well.
The former Irish-based raider has been drawn in stall 15 in the race at Randwick but over this distance of 3200m, that is not a concern. Waterhouse and Bott’s runner will act on the ground, so she has a great chance of picking up the first Group One success of her career.
SECOND BEST BET: VIA SISTINA
Race 8 (Queen Elizabeth Stakes)
With five victories from her last six outings, it has been a dominant season for Via Sistina. She has had Group One wins in the Turnbull Stakes, Cox Plate, Champion Stakes, Verry Elleegant Stakes and Ranvet Stakes. Her only blip came in the Apollo Stakes where she went down by just a length.
The seven-year-old mare is often at the top of her game at this stage of the season. She was too strong for her rivals last time at Rosehill in the Ranvet Stakes, prevailing by just under two lengths. She has had just enough time since that race to freshen up in her pursuit of another major prize in this Queen Elizabeth Stakes.
Chris Waller’s runner finished second in this race 12 months ago behind Pride Of Jenni. Fortunately for the mare, her rival will not be defending her crown in the contest. Via Sistina is the class act in the field, and with barrier one, James McDonald will be able to get her into a good position from the gates. It is hard to look past the 2024 runner-up from going one place better this year.
Best Value: Leica Lucy
Race 6 (Australian Oaks)
The betting for the 2025 Australian Oaks is dominated by Treasurethe Moment. She deserves her place as the favourite in this field, but she is unlikely to have things her way, especially if she is taken on early.
This contest could be set up for Leica Lucy, who will be doing her best work in the closing stages of this race. She finished strongly last time at Trentham in the Group One New Zealand Oaks.
James McDonald will give his filly plenty of cover from barrier one in this field. She has the quality to win this 10-runner contest and upset Treasurethe Moment.
Looking for the best Bookmakers to bet on the Sydney Cup?
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