2016 Melbourne Cup and last start Tancred Stakes winner, Almandin headlines a big 2018 Sydney Cup field on Saturday at Royal Randwick as part of Day 2 of ‘The Championships‘.
Almandin is the headline stayer in Saturday’s Sydney Cup 2018 field over the two miles at Randwick. Photo: Steve Hart.
The Lloyd Williams-led ownership team will be looking to win their fifth Sydney Cup with either Almandin or Aloft who are right in the money in Sydney Cup betting at Ladbrokes.com.au and in perfect order heading into the feature staying event of the Sydney Autumn Racing Carnival.
Team Williams has won Sydney Cups with Major Drive (1987), Gallic (2007), Mourayan (2013) and Gallante (2016).
Almandin will be ridden by champion hoop Damien Oliver from barrier 5 and Kerrin McEvoy will steer Aloft from barrier 13 in this year’s Group 1 $2 million Sydney Cup (3200m) over the two miles.
McEvoy was back aboard Almandin for the first time since partnering him to win the Melbourne Cup when he won the Tancred Stakes last start however being the lighter of the two, he will ride Aloft at 51KG on Saturday.
The Lance O’Sullivan and Andrew Scott trained Sir Charles Road was impressive when winning the Chairman’s Stakes (2600m) at his only start in Australia last weekend and will give the stable the confidence of a feature Group 1 win.
Rising nine year old, Who Shot Thebarman will incredibly line up in his fifth straight Sydney Cup field. He has never won the race but has finished second on two occasions. This will be the horse’s 51st race start with 42 of them being at Listed or Group level.
Fan favourite and the ever-consistent Single Gaze will be having her first start at Randwick since she fell in the ATC Oaks in 2016. She was not seen at the races for almost 12 months however she has seemed to overcome her injuries to be a reliable horse for her jockey Kathy O’Hara, trainer Nick Olive and punters alike.
See below for the full Sydney Cup 2018 Field & Odds, betting open now at Ladbrokes.com.au.
