The Group 1 Sydney Cup is a handicap race run over 3200m on the final day of The Championships at Royal Randwick.
The race was first run in 1862 and has been won by some of Australia’s greatest staying horse including Carbine (1889,1890), Galileo (1967), Kingston Town (1980) and Makybe Diva (2004).
Our runner by runner guide and 2022 Sydney Cup Preview can be read below.
1. The Chosen One (5)
- Record: 40: 7-5-6
- Distance: 5: 0-1-0
- Track: 6: 1-1-0
- Trainer: M Baker & A Forsman
- Jockey: Hugh Bowman
- Odds: $12
Placed in back to back Group 1 races in New Zealand before finishing third in the Tancred Stakes at Newcastle. Having his third start in the Sydney Cup. Second in 2020 and sixth last year.
2. Daqiansweet Junior (7)
- Record: 17: 7-1-1
- Distance: 1: 1-0-0
- Track: 0: 0-0-0
- Trainer: P Stokes
- Jockey: Kerrin McEvoy
- Odds: $26
The Phillip Stokes trained gelding has put together an impressive racing resume having won seven times from 17 career race starts. He had his first start over 3200m last start when winning the Adelaide Cup and has drawn an ideal barrier.
3. Knights Order (1)
- Record: 25: 7-1-3
- Distance: 2: 1-0-0
- Track: 3: 1-1-1
- Trainer: G Waterhouse & A Bott
- Jockey: Rachel King
- Odds: $9
Has been placed in two of his three starts so far this prep and will be ready to peak. Was not beaten far behind Nerve Not Verve last weekend on the heavy track over 2600m so the rain will not be an issue.
4. Stockman (13)
- Record: 29: 7-7-3
- Distance: 0: 0-0-0
- Track: 7: 1-1-0
- Trainer: Joe Pride
- Jockey: Alysha Collett
- Odds: $4.80
The five year old gelding produced a career best rating when finishing second in the Group 1 Tancred Stakes last start behind Duais and he drops a whopping 8kg for that effort. He won the Group 3 Sky High Stakes two starts back and he relishes the heavy track where he has four wins and two seconds from seven starts. First start over two mile the only unknown.
5. Crystal Pegasus (5)
- Record: 20: 7-5-2
- Distance: 0: 0-0-0
- Track: 0: 0-0-0
- Trainer: Chris Waller
- Jockey: Jamie Kah
- Odds: $6.50
Looking for his fifth win in a row after taking out the Mornington Cup two weeks ago in impressive fashion. First go at Randwick, first go over 3200m and barrier 18 will make it tougher but there is no more in form horse in this race than him.
6. Angel Of Truth (3)
- Record: 35: 5-2-4
- Distance: 1: 0-0-0
- Track: 14: 1-1-2
- Trainer: M, W & J Hawkes
- Jockey: William Pike
- Odds: $31
Started this campaign with back to back placings in the Group 1 Chipping Norton and Ranvet Stakes but was well off them in the Tancred. He won the Australian Derby at this track as a three year old and ran sixth in this race in 2020. Is another that drops 8kg from his Tancred Stakes fifth place.
7. Sheraz (6)
- Record: 15: 4-3-2
- Distance: 0: 0-0-0
- Track: 1: 0-0-0
- Trainer: Chris Waller
- Jockey: Craig Williams
- Odds: $12
Another that drops down considerably in weight for this but his recent form suggests he will need to improve dramatically. He has not finished within five lengths of the winner in all three starts this prep but he’s drawn to get a nice run in transit from barrier six.
8. No Compromise (10)
- Record: 25: 6-5-7
- Distance: 0: 0-0-0
- Track: 5: 1-0-2
- Trainer: Chris Waller
- Jockey: Jay Ford
- Odds: $10
Broke through for a much deserved win in the Group 3 Queen’s Cup after being a consistent performer throughout this prep. He has missed a place just twice in six career starts on the heavy track and fitness will not be an issue.
9. Luncies (14)
- Record: 17: 5-2-1
- Distance: 0: 0-0-0
- Track: 5: 0-2-1
- Trainer: Kris Lees
- Jockey: Robbie Dolan
- Odds: $9.50
The Kris Lees trained grey is having his fifth start this prep and was placed in both the Randwick City Stakes and Chairman’s Quality on the heavy track. Has been a while in between wins but with luck from the awkward draw, he is am each way chance.
10. Future Score (16)
- Record: 27: 6-2-7
- Distance: 1: 0-0-1
- Track: 0: 0-0-0
- Trainer: Matt Cumani
- Jockey: Teodore Nugent
- Odds: $31
Has always shown plenty of promise and has been up for a long time now without a spell. His last three starts have all been 2500+ so fitness should not be a query. A win and a second from two starts on the heavy.
11. Surefire (12)
- Record: 7: 4-2-0
- Distance: 0: 0-0-0
- Track: 1: 1-0-0
- Trainer: Chris Waller
- Jockey: Kathy O’Hara
- Odds: $14
This four year old gelding is a very progressive type of horse who has performed well on the heavy track. The son of Fastnet Rock’s breeding does not suggest that he will run a strong 3200m but he is a horse with plenty of upside.
12. Tigertiger (2)
- Record: 24: 5-6-2
- Distance: 1: 0-1-0
- Track: 0: 0-0-0
- Trainer: R Blacker
- Jockey: Dean Holland
- Odds: $34
Another progressive stayer who has been runner up in his last couple including a second behind Daqiansweet Junior in the Adelaide Cup. Would need to take another step forward.
13. Chalk Stream (9)
- Record: 12: 4-3-1
- Distance: 0: 0-0-0
- Track: 1: 0-0-0
- Trainer: Chris Waller
- Jockey: Damien Thornton
- Odds: $8.50
One of five Chris Waller trained horses in the 2022 Sydney Cup. The lightly raced four year old gelding put together three wins in a row during his last prep when this race was put on his radar. This is just his third run so far this prep and he has never run over 3200m, both of which is a concern in my opinion.
14. Alakahan (4)
- Record: 19: 3-5-1
- Distance: 0: 0-0-0
- Track: 2: 0-0-0
- Trainer: M Freedman
- Jockey: Fred Kersley
- Odds: $101
Is yet to place in three runs so far during this campaign, the latest a fourth in the Group 2 Chairman’s Quality at Randwick last Saturday. Would need to improve to be a chance.
15. La Baol (19)
- Record: 11: 3-1-1
- Distance: 0: 0-0-0
- Track: 1: 0-0-1
- Trainer: C Maher & D Eustace
- Jockey:
- Odds: $51
The six year old is a progressive type has proven he handles the heavy track in his last two race starts. Will need luck from the awkward draw.
16. Dadoozdart (17)
- Record: 25: 4-2-1
- Distance: 0: 0-0-0
- Track: 4: 0-0-0
- Trainer: M, W & J Hawkes
- Jockey: Brock Ryan
- Odds: $81
Has placed in both the Listed Canberra Cup and Mornington Cup at his last two outings. He is another that will have to overcome a wide barrier but I wouldn’t count him out.
17. Kaapfever (8)
- Record: 62: 7-8-8
- Distance: 1: 0-1-0
- Track: 14: 2-0-1
- Trainer: Joe Pride
- Jockey: T Schiller
- Odds: $151
Won the Listed Australia Day Cup back in January but has been well beaten in his three subsequent runs since. One of the rougher chances in the race.
18. Sweet Thomas (11)
- Record: 66: 7-7-9
- Distance: 6: 2-0-2
- Track: 6: 0-0-0
- Trainer: M Smith
- Jockey: J I Jnr
- Odds: $101
The 10 year old has been beaten over 34 lengths in his last three runs. Distance will not be an issue but I prefer others.
19. South Pacific (15)
- Record: 26: 3-4-2
- Distance: 1: 0-0-0
- Track: 2: 0-0-0
- Trainer: R Litt
- Jockey: Andrew Gibbons
- Odds: $201
Another that looks to just be making up the numbers and he hasn’t been within 10 lengths of the winner in his last three.