We have JRA Cup tips and predictions for the Group 3 2000m race at Caulfield on Sunday.
JRA Cup odds have a big and even betting field for punters, where there are numerous winning hopes.
He runs at nice odds for a 10-time winner, and he’s good enough to beat this field at Caulfield.
The 8YO gelding has enough experience to win, and after finishing third behind St Lawrence last time out, he could be set for a solid spring carnival if he’s able to produce his best form over the 2000m distance.
He’s a six-time winner over the distance, so this is ideal for him, and although he’s yet to win from nine attempts at Caulfield, he has been close with four placings, so we don’t see that stat as a negative.
Getting the inside barrier should ensure a good trip throughout the run, and Ben Melham could peel him out at the top of the straight before producing a good finish over the final 200m.
| 2. Future History (1) J: Ben Melham 59.5kg 436×3 T: Gregory Hickman | |||
| Second run back. First-up after three months ran on from midfield; 3rd of 15 in a Hcp at Flemington on September 12 over 1700m, 2.5 len behind St Lawrence with 62.5kg at $41. Previously second-up 3rd of 13 in the G3 Lord Mayor’s Cup at Eagle Farm on May 30 over 1800m, slow going head behind Athanatos with 58kg at $8. Nice return with big weight, very wary from the inside gate. | |||
Our JRA Cup predictions can’t leave out Darkbonee, who should bounce back after struggling to keep up at Caulfield behind Saint George last start.
That was a poor effort, but the 5YO gelding is much better than that, and punters should expect him to run much better on Sunday. He has four wins and six placings from 11 starts, so he’s a rising star in the staying ranks.
He carries only 54kg with Jamie Melham riding, and carrying that weight could turn the race in his favour. He carried only 53kg when winning at Caulfield two starts ago, and he could produce a similar effort.
We would have liked longer odds against this big field, but he can’t be left out of selections as the favourite.
| 11. Darkbonee (11) J: Jamie Melham 54kg 3×210 T: Symon Wilde | |||
| Returns from a 29-day let-up. At the latest run 13th of 15 in a Qlty at this track on August 29 over 2000m, slow going 8 len behind Saint George carrying 54.5kg at $2.45. The race before that favourite; won by 1.75 len in a Bm100 at this track on August 15 over 1600m on a rain affected track defeating Detonator Jack with 53kg at $2.70. Burnt punters last time, wide draw and more room can see him bounce back. | |||
This is the time of the year when Autumn Mystery performs at his best, and although he’s only a two-time winner, he has some quality performances under his belt.
The 4YO gelding should be better with two runs under his belt this campaign, including a sixth behind St Lawrence at Flemington, and rising to 2000m only helps his chances of winning.
He opened at $23 before drifting throughout the week, and we understand why, but he could run better than his odds suggest. We’re prepared to give him another chance at the price, and he could boost payouts in a big way.
| 12. Autumn Mystery (12) J: Teo Nugent 54kg 93×06 T: Rory Hunter | |||
| Third-up today and placed third-up in the past. Resuming 14th of 16 in a Bm84 at this track on August 29 over 1400m, slow going 10 len behind Home Rule with 62kg at $81. Second run from a spell 6th of 15 in a Hcp at Flemington on September 12 over 1700m, 4 len behind St Lawrence carrying 54kg at $41. Risking. | |||
Punters get value odds with our JRA Cup SRM, which includes our three selected runners.
We have Future History Top 3, Darkbonee Top 3, and Autumn Mystery Top 7, which pays $12.50 for our three-runner SRM.
Future History and Darkbonee should run in the trifecta, and they’re paying good odds to do so. However, our best exotic bet is for Autumn Mystery to finish in the Top 7. The $1.95 odds are a great price, and he can beat most of the field home.
| 2. Future History (1) J: Ben Melham 59.5kg 436×3 T: Gregory Hickman | |||
| Second run back. First-up after three months ran on from midfield; 3rd of 15 in a Hcp at Flemington on September 12 over 1700m, 2.5 len behind St Lawrence with 62.5kg at $41. Previously second-up 3rd of 13 in the G3 Lord Mayor’s Cup at Eagle Farm on May 30 over 1800m, slow going head behind Athanatos with 58kg at $8. Nice return with big weight, very wary from the inside gate. | |||
| 11. Darkbonee (11) J: Jamie Melham 54kg 3×210 T: Symon Wilde | |||
| Returns from a 29-day let-up. At the latest run 13th of 15 in a Qlty at this track on August 29 over 2000m, slow going 8 len behind Saint George carrying 54.5kg at $2.45. The race before that favourite; won by 1.75 len in a Bm100 at this track on August 15 over 1600m on a rain affected track defeating Detonator Jack with 53kg at $2.70. Burnt punters last time, wide draw and more room can see him bounce back. | |||
| 12. Autumn Mystery (12) J: Teo Nugent 54kg 93×06 T: Rory Hunter | |||
| Third-up today and placed third-up in the past. Resuming 14th of 16 in a Bm84 at this track on August 29 over 1400m, slow going 10 len behind Home Rule with 62kg at $81. Second run from a spell 6th of 15 in a Hcp at Flemington on September 12 over 1700m, 4 len behind St Lawrence carrying 54kg at $41. Risking. | |||
Latest JRA Cup 2026 Odds
JRA Cup 2026 Odds
| 1. Royal Supremacy (4) J: Mark Zahra 60kg 331×9 T: Ciaron Maher | |||
| Second-up. First-up after three months 9th of 16 in a LR Heatherlie Stakes at this track on August 29 over 1700m, on a slow track; 6 len behind Kingswood with 60.5kg at $31. Previously second-up 3rd of 13 in the G3 Chairman’s Handicap at Doomben on May 16 over 2000m, on a slow track; 1.5 len behind Middle Earth carrying 58.5kg at $7.20. Did enough fresh and will be fitter with an ideal map. | |||
| 2. Future History (1) J: Ben Melham 59.5kg 436×3 T: Gregory Hickman | |||
| Second run back. First-up after three months ran on from midfield; 3rd of 15 in a Hcp at Flemington on September 12 over 1700m, 2.5 len behind St Lawrence with 62.5kg at $41. Previously second-up 3rd of 13 in the G3 Lord Mayor’s Cup at Eagle Farm on May 30 over 1800m, slow going head behind Athanatos with 58kg at $8. Nice return with big weight, very wary from the inside gate. | |||
| 3. Detonator Jack (8) J: John Allen 57kg 01822 T: Ciaron Maher | |||
| Comes off a 43 day let-up. Most recently ran on from midfield; 2nd of 8 in a Bm100 at this track on August 15 over 1600m, on a slow track; 1.75 len behind Darkbonee carrying 59kg at $8. The run before that 2nd of 10 in a Bm100 at Caulfield Heath on August 8 over 1800m, slow going long-neck behind First Chorus carrying 59.5kg at $18. Up in trip now can suit, hard to knock. | |||
| 4. Land Legend (14) J: Ethan Brown 56.5kg 729×0 T: Ciaron Maher | |||
| Second-up. First-up after four months got back early 10th of 15 in a Hcp at Flemington on September 12 over 1700m, 6 len behind St Lawrence carrying 59.5kg at $18. Previously second-up 7th of 13 in the LR Anniversary Vase at this track on April 11 over 1600m, on a slow track; 4.5 len behind Al Duca carrying 57.5kg at $14. See again. | |||
| 5. Torranzino (9) J: Celine Gaudray 56.5kg 8215x T: Paul Preusker | |||
| Resuming. Finished off last campaign fifth of 24 at Flemington in the G1 Melb Cup November 4 over 3200m, soft track; 8 len behind Half Yours with 51kg at $31. When resuming last campaign eighth of 10 at Moonee Valley So You Think September 6 2025 over 1500m, 6 len behind Desert Lightning with 58.5kg at $51. Good stayer who will improve for the run. | |||
| 6. Smokin’ Romans (2) J: Jabez Johnstone 55.5kg 23246 T: Ciaron Maher | |||
| Comes here off a 36-day let-up. Most recently couldn’t go on with it; 6th of 10 in a Hcp at Sandown-Hillside on August 22 over 2400m, on heavy track; 6 len behind Nearco Frod with 60kg at $7.50. The run before that 4th of 8 in a Bm100 at Flemington on August 1 over 2000m, 7 len behind See That Storm with 58.5kg at $3.10. Best probably behind him but drawn well and can figure. | |||
| 7. Newlook (7) J: Michael Dee 55kg 574×9 T: Trent Busuttin & Natalie Young | |||
| Second-up. First-up after three months ran last of 9 in a So You Think at Sandown-Hillside on September 5 over 1500m, slow going 13 len behind Evaporate carrying 59kg at $61. Previously second-up 5th of 14 in the G3 NE Manion Cup at Rosehill on March 21 over 2400m, slow going 1.0 len behind Mr Monaco with 53kg at $41. See again. | |||
| 8. Suntora (6) J: Daniel Stackhouse 54kg 33×65 T: Nick Ryan | |||
| Third-up today. Resuming got back early 6th of 12 in a Bm100 at this track on August 29 over 1400m, slow going 6 len behind Fancify with 57.5kg at $91. Second-up 5th of 15 in a Hcp at Flemington on September 12 over 1700m, 3 len behind St Lawrence with 55.5kg at $12. Fitter again and can peak up in trip. | |||
| 9. Newfoundland (10) J: Declan Bates 54kg 5190x T: Shane Jackson | |||
| First-up. Finished off last campaign 15th of 18 at Morphettville in the G2 Adl Cup March 9 over 3200m, 30 len behind American Wolf with 54kg at $6. Previously first up; fifth of 11 at Randwick Bm88 December 27 over 2000m, 4 len behind Unlimited with 59kg at $20. Prefer to see. | |||
| 10. See That Storm (5) J: Craig Williams 54kg x7017 T: Mick Price & Michael Kent Jnr | |||
| Comes here off a 29-day let-up. At the latest run 7th of 15 in a Qlty at this track on August 29 over 2000m, slow going 5 len behind Saint George with 55.5kg at $13. Before that raced right near the speed and boxed on; won by a long-neck in a Bm100 at Flemington on August 1 over 2000m defeating Star Of India carrying 54kg at $3.80. Can bounce back on top of the ground. | |||
| 11. Darkbonee (11) J: Jamie Melham 54kg 3×210 T: Symon Wilde | |||
| Returns from a 29-day let-up. At the latest run 13th of 15 in a Qlty at this track on August 29 over 2000m, slow going 8 len behind Saint George carrying 54.5kg at $2.45. The race before that favourite; won by 1.75 len in a Bm100 at this track on August 15 over 1600m on a rain affected track defeating Detonator Jack with 53kg at $2.70. Burnt punters last time, wide draw and more room can see him bounce back. | |||
| 12. Autumn Mystery (12) J: Teo Nugent 54kg 93×06 T: Rory Hunter | |||
| Third-up today and placed third-up in the past. Resuming 14th of 16 in a Bm84 at this track on August 29 over 1400m, slow going 10 len behind Home Rule with 62kg at $81. Second run from a spell 6th of 15 in a Hcp at Flemington on September 12 over 1700m, 4 len behind St Lawrence carrying 54kg at $41. Risking. | |||
| 13. Blonde Star (3) J: Damien Thornton 54kg 4×024 T: Imogen Miller | |||
| At the latest run came from midfield; 4th of 15 in a Hcp at Flemington on September 12 over 1700m, 3 len behind St Lawrence with 53kg at $71. Before that 2nd in a small field in a Open Hcp at Hobart on August 19 over 1600m, on a slow track; 0.8 len behind Rubbleonthedouble carrying 57kg at $7.50. Measured up quite well last time but it doesn’t get any easier. | |||
| 14. Sapphire Siren (13) J: Teo Nugent 54kg 131×1 T: Bill Papazaharoudakis | |||
| Second-up. Comes off a 39-day let-up. First-up after five months favourite; tracked the speed and boxed on steadily; won by 1.5 len in a F&M Bm70 at Sandown-Lakeside on August 19 over 1600m in soft going defeating Eleanor Dumont with 59.5kg at $3.80. Previously second-up 3rd of 10 in a Cl3 at Pakenham on February 26 over 1400m, 1.5 len behind Plunger with 55.5kg at $6. Nice mare, this is a big jump in class. | |||