There’s plenty of Melbourne Cup-performed runners in the 2019 Australian Cup and it’s shaping up to be a good contest.
Names such as Rekindling, Avilius and Almandin are in the field and we have our best tips, form and odds for every runner in the field.
All odds are with Sportsbet – our No. 1 rated bookmaker. You can join Sportsbet by clicking HERE.
2019 Australian Cup final field, barrier draw and odds
Our best bets for the Australian Cup 2019
Best Bet:
Avilius @ $2 – Bet Now
Best Each Way Bet:
Rekindling @ $11 – Bet Now
Best Roughie:
Ace High @ $14 – Bet Now
Australian Cup Form Guide & Tips
Almandin ($17) – Bet Now
Former Melbourne Cup winner which can never be discounted over the 2000m. The Liam Howley-trained stayer has three wins at Flemington and one over this distance.
Too good to rule out but would like to see him run a few more times before backing.
Rekindling (Best Each Way – $11) – Bet Now
2018 Melbourne Cup winner which carried a light weight to victory and rises to 59kg here, but he’s a class type.
The Howley-trained five-year-old was a winner over this distance at Leopardstown and although best suited over the longer distances, punters shouldn’t rule out this talented type.
$12 is worth taking.
Ace High (Best Roughie – $14) – Bet Now
Made good ground last time out when third behind Avilius and that looks to be the best form race for this.
The David Payne-trained four-year-old is a five-time winner from 25 starts and although facing a tough field here, he should run well at nice odds.
Deserves a winning turn.
Trap For Fools ($14) – Bet Now
Has good tactical pace and a group one win to his name. That came last year during the Melbourne Spring Carnival and despite his form being mixed since, he did run second to Avilius last start.
If the pace is slow up front, expect the five-year-old gelding to provide a good kick and give punters a good sight.
Ventura Storm ($31) – Bet Now
Has given punters some headaches in years gone by. Has the ability to win at this level but he will likely need time to work through his gears this year.
Harlem ($31) – Bet Now
In the same boat as Ventura Storm. Has the ability to win but rarely shows it.
That’s a concern in a race which includes professional winners and we couldn’t have him in this.
Avilius (Best Bet – $2) – Bet Now
Explosive stayer which has a dynamic turn-of-foot. The James Cummings-trained gelding has burst through runners to score twice this campaign and there’s a reason why he’s an odds-on favourite.
The inside draw might not be ideal but Hugh Bowman will likely let a few get around him before working into the gear and getting the gelding into full swing at the top of the straight.
The Taj Mahal ($20) – Bet Now
Has come for support after opening at $26 and that’s a good sign. Comes from a stable which has stronger hopes in this but he could run in the placings.
Is a son of Galileo and perhaps his chances would be better over a much longer distance.
Muntahaa ($23) – Bet Now
Ran ninth in the Melbourne Cup which was a good run considering the level of opposition. Now with Lindsay Park, the six-year-old has shown form over this distance in the past and he could run well.
Has run in the first three in nine of his 16 starts and that consistency is something punters look for.
Yogi ($35) – Bet Now
Could be the smoky in this field at $35. Has been in good form, albeit in easier races but he will get back during the run and take his chances in the straight.
Drawing wide won’t be an issue as he gets back anyway. Chance in this.
So Si Bon ($27) – Bet Now
That was probably a career-best performance when second behind Fifty Stars last start. Has won in the past – only twice, but that run had merit.
Can he back it up with another? Doesn’t usually and this is a hot field.
Night’s Watch ($11) – Bet Now
Hasn’t been able to match Avilius to both runs this campaign. Paying a good price to turn the tables on the favourite but he might have taken a step backwards this preparation.
Has placed twice at Flemington and we wouldn’t be surprised to see the former Kiwi run in the first three.
Sikandarabad ($20) – Bet Now
Drifted in the betting last start but narrowly got the job done at Caulfield. That was a gutsy win but he will need to work from out wide and that’s against him.
Deserves a chance in this grade but look for something easier.
Sound ($71) – Bet Now
Melbourne Cup runner which didn’t offer much and he’s going to need time to get through his gears this campaign.
Hasn’t been fancied in the betting at all.
Shillelagh ($21) – Bet Now
Always capable of causing an upset and she has a good sprint when given every chance in the run.
Has won twice from five starts at Flemington and we wouldn’t be ruling out her chances completely.
Once again, all odds are with Sportsbet – our No. 1 rated bookmaker. You can join Sportsbet by clicking HERE.
