The $1.5m Group 1 TAB Australian Cup (2000m) has attracted the largest field since 1996 and features the winner from each of the last four years – Humidor (2017), Harlem (2018, 2019), and Fifty Stars (2020). Fifty Stars is the current TAB favourite after a slashing run to finish second in the Group 2 Darley Blamey Stakes at Flemington last Saturday. Paradee is second favourite after her win in the Group 2 Peter Young Stakes at Caulfield convinced connections to pay the late entry fee. Other runners of note include 2019 Group 1 AAMI Victoria Derby winner Warning, 2019 Group 1 Kennedy Oaks winner Miami Bound, Group 1 Cantala Stakes winner Best of Days, and Defibrillate who is aiming for his fifth win in a row.
The $1.25 million Group 1 Seppelt Wines Stakes (1200m) will feature 18 of Australia’s most promising sprinters. Current TAB favourite is three-year-old filly September Run, winner of last year’s Group 1 Coolmore Stud Stakes and runner-up in last month’s Group 1 Black Caviar Lightning. Swats That was right behind her in both of those runs and is second-elect for Saturday’s sprint with a two kilo weight swing in her favour. Celebrity Queen is coming off her equal first placing in the Oakleigh Plate, where Brooklyn Hustle caught the eye with a late surge to finish fourth. Topweight Zoutori has notched up three wins down the Flemington straight at Group 2 level and deserves his chance to break through at Group 1 level. Sirius Suspect is also showing some support thanks to his last-start win in the Group 3 Standish Handicap under superstar jockey Jamie Kah, who unites with again on Saturday.
The undercard is equally intriguing, with eight of the nine races offering black type. The Group 2 MSS Security Sires' Produce Stakes (1400m) has long been a source of progressive two-year-olds, with last week’s shock Kennedy Australian Guineas winner Lunar Fox winning the race last year. Current TAB favourite for this year is Lightsaber who has won his last two starts at Sandown.
The Group 2 TAB Kewney Stakes has increased in distance this year to 1600m and features last year’s Group 1 Kennedy Oaks winner Personal, Group 2 Angus Armanasco Stakes winner Yes Baby Yes, and Group 3 Ethereal Stakes winner Chica Fuerte.
Spanish Reef won the Group 3 Lexus Matron Stakes (1600m) in 2018 and 2019 and is aiming to notch a remarkable third victory in the race. She will have to contend with multiple Group 3 winner Sovereign Award and Group 1 Schweppes Oaks runner up Moonlight Maid, as well as Jamie Kah’s ride in this race and current TAB favourite Lunakorn.
The Listed Furphy Ale March Stakes (1400m) has an intriguing field, including last year’s Group 1 Thousand Guineas winner Odeum, last year’s Group 2 Let’s Elope Stakes winner Pretty Brazen, and enigmatic galloper So Si Bon.
The Listed Incognitus Stakes (1100m) will showcase some of the state’s most progressive sprinters. Oxley Road is the full brother to Group 1 winner Exceedance and has a perfect record from his two racecourse starts, including breaking his maiden up the straight at Flemington in January. Ranting caused a boilover in the Group 2 Blue Sapphire against his two more fancied rivals, and franked that form with a solid performance to be beaten 2.7L in the Group 1 Oakleigh Plate. Marboosha showed a liking for the straight when second to Written Beauty in the Group 3 Red Roses Stakes on Kennedy Oaks Day, and is well weighted in this quality handicap.
