| What | 2024 Australian Cup |
| Where | Flemington Racecourse – 448 Epsom Rd, Flemington VIC 3031 |
| When | Saturday, March 30, 2024 |
| Prizemoney | $3,000,000 |
| Distance | 2000m |
| Conditions | Group 1 |
| 2023 Winner | Cascadian (11) | T: James Cummings | J: Ben Melham (59kg) |
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First run in 1863, the Australian Cup (2000m) headlines the action on the stacked 10-race card at Flemington on Saturday. Eight of the nine runners engaged are previous Group 1 winners, with the field headlined by the All-Star Mile trifecta Pride Of Jenni, Mr Brightside and Cascadian. Will it be an action repeat of the All-Star Mile, or can proven 2000m horses like Cascadian or Atishu get the better of Pride Of Jenni and Mr Brightside?
2024 Australian Cup odds
There is little surprise that the two best milers in Victoria, Mr Brightside (+140) and Pride Of Jenni (+190) dominate the market with horse racing bookies. Despite neither of the two winning at 2000m in the past, punters are confident they are the pair to beat. Champions Stakes (2000m) winner Atishu (+500) holds the third line of betting, whilst Godolphin’s Cascadian (+750) will be looking to become the first horse since Harlem (2018-19) to go back-to-back in the Australian Cup. Legarto (+1300) is the best of the rest at a double figure quote.
2024 Australian Cup speed map
The speed map for the 2024 Australian Cup is a simple one. Pride Of Jenni will be doing as she pleases out in front, with only Young Werther and Esti Feny likely to be close to the speed. Mr Brightside will be a lot closer to Pride Of Jenni than what he was in All-Star Mile having drawn barrier one, with Vow and Declare, Legarto and Dom To Shoot to be around midfield. Cascadian and Atishu will be bringing up the rear when they turn for home, but will be the two hitting the line the best.
Continue reading for HorseBetting’s top selections and $100 betting strategy for the 2024 Australian Cup.
Australian Cup 2024 preview & form
The Cummings family has dominated the Australian Cup over the years, and Cascadian profiles perfectly to defend his crown from 12 months ago. The nine-year-old gelding reaches his pet distance fourth-up from a spell, and comes to Flemington on the back of an eye-catching run in the All-Star Mile. Having given Pride Of Jenni too big of a start to be a winning chance on that day, he was arguably the best horse through the line on the back of a strongly run 1600m. He produced the fastest last 1200m, 1000m, 800m, 600m, 400m and 200m splits of the race to suggest he will be ready to go on Saturday. He is proven at the trip, has a strong turn of foot, and as long as he is within striking distance when turning, Cascadian should prove too tough to hold out.
There is no knocking Mr Brightside, perhaps more so the price on offer. Despite being nosed out by Romantic Warrior in the 2023 Cox Plate, the champ is yet to win a 2000m race at three attempts. He was only holding his spot late on the back of a brutally run mile last time out, but with perhaps a softer run in transit from barrier one, and the unknown as to whether Pride Of Jenni can see out the 2000m, he simply cannot be dismissed. Look for Craig Williams to have Mr Brightside three back the fence upon settling, and if Mr Brightside is anywhere near his best, he is the one to beat on Saturday with even luck.
Much like Cascadian, Atishu has shown she can absorb a strong tempo and sprint home strongly at the trip. The six-year-old mare has two wins from two starts at the track and trip, and a repeat of her effort that saw her claim the Group 1 Champions Stakes (2000m) during the Melbourne Cup Carnival, will have her fighting out the finish when the whips are cracking. She won with plenty in hand last time out over the mile, and with a strong finishing sprint under her bonnet, Atishu cannot be discounted.
Pride Of Jenni will no doubt enter the conversation in regards to being Australia’s best horse at the moment if she can knock the 2000m challenge out of the park. However, with just one start (for an 8th) at the trip, the +190 on offer is simply too tight.
The top four in the market should be in the finish, with perhaps only Legarto or Young Werther being trifecta/first four players.
Australian Cup 2024 selections & best bets
2
CASCADIAN
1
MR BRIGHTSIDE
8
ATISHU
7
PRIDE OF JENNI
| $100 betting strategy | |
|---|---|
| $100 win | Cascadian (#2) @ +750 with Picklebet |
2024 Australian Cup Final Field
1.Mr Brightside (1)
- T: Ben, Will & JD Hayes
- J: Craig Williams
- W: 59kg
- F: 211×2
- Age: 6YO
- Color: Bay
- Sex: Gelding
- Sire: Bullbars
- Dam: Lilahjay (NZ)
-500
2. Cascadian (8)
- T: James Cummings
- J: Ben Melham
- W: 59kg
- F: 349×7
- Age: 9YO
- Color: Chestnut
- Sex: Gelding
- Sire: New Approach (IRE)
- Dam: Falls of Lora (IRE)
+110
3. Vow And Declare (9)
- T: Danny O’Brien
- J: Billy Egan
- W: 59kg
- F: 2×592
- Age: 8YO
- Color: Chestnut
- Sex: Gelding
- Sire: Declaration Of War (USA)
- Dam: Geblizt
+320
4. Dom To Shoot (6)
- T: Sean & Jake Casey
- J: Mark Zahra
- W: 59kg
- F: 64×91
- Age: 6YO
- Color: Bay
- Sex: Gelding
- Sire: Shooting to Win
- Dam: Princess Rouge (NZ)
+600
5. Young Werther (3)
- T: Danny O’Brien
- J: Damian Lane
- W: 59kg
- F: 13×23
- Age: 6YO
- Color: Bay
- Sex: Gelding
- Sire: Tavistock (NZ)
- Dam: Romantic Time (NZ)
+270
6. Esti Feny (4)
- T: Matthew Smith
- J: Jamie Mott
- W: 59kg
- F: 30×90
- Age: 9YO
- Color: Bay
- Sex: Gelding
- Sire: Pigeon Catcher (IRE)
- Dam: Ejtihaad (IRE)
+1200
7. Pride Of Jenni (7)
- T: Ciaron Maher
- J: Declan Bates
- W: 57kg
- F: 12×11
- Age: 6YO
- Color: Bay
- Sex: Mare
- Sire: Pride of Dubai
- Dam: Sancerre (NZ)
-384.62
8. Atishu (5)
- T: Chris Waller
- J: Blake Shinn
- W: 57kg
- F: 18×12
- Age: 6YO
- Color: Brown
- Sex: Mare
- Sire: Savabeel
- Dam: Posy (NZ)
+100
9. Legarto (2)
- T: Ken & Bev Kelso
- J: Michael Dee
- W: 57kg
- F: 2121x
- Age: 4YO
- Color: Bay
- Sex: Mare
- Sire: Proisir
- Dam: Geordie Girl (NZ)
+190
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