GROUP 2 CATHAY PACIFIC AIRWAYS CUP TIPS AND PREVIEW

Posted by David on October 23rd , 2009 under Horse racing | Be the First to Comment

Formerly known as the Moonee Valley Cup, the Cathay Pacific Airways Cup is the only major long distance event held at Moonee Valley during the Spring Carnival. Because of this it is an important race for stayers, despite its Group 2 status. This race is not considered a great guide to any race in particular. However, it takes a good horse to win the race, and horses who have done well in this race have performed well in other events such as the Melbourne Cup, Sandown Classic and Queen Elizabeth Stakes. Previous winners of the race include Kingston Rule, Court of Honour and Zipping.

This is considered an open race, with favourite Hissing Sid at $3.90 with Betfair. He is favourite despite the fact that he has not won a race in his 5 starts since the Warnambool Cup in May, and has only placed in one of them. He finished 3^rd in the Group 2 Herbert Power Stakes, which has seen him into favouritism here, but there are still many queries hanging above his head.

At $5.40 is Lodge the Deeds, whose form in Sydney has been fantastic. He finished second in the Group 1 Metropolitan behind Cox Plate fancy Speed Gifted, and has not been out of the top three in a race since the start of August. He has not won over 2000m, but his effort in the 2400m Metropolitan showed that he could run the distance. The only other query will be the track, as this will be his first race at the Valley.

Ista Kareem is at $7.40. The 9 year old veteran showed a glimpse of brilliance when he won the Group 1 Sydney Cup this year, but it’s starting to like he is past his use-by date. He did not make the first 11 in either of his Group attempts this spring, and his best effort was a 4^th in a listed race. However, that doesn’t mean Ista Kareem can’t get up here; it is never wise to discard a horse like him without thought.

I think Lodge the Deeds’ form in Sydney is too good to be ignored here. The $5.40 is pretty good value, with punters a little unsure about him, so get those odds while you can. Hissing Sid’s effort in the Herbert Power Stakes also gets him a spot in my top 4. Miss Darcey ($6.80) rounds out the top three, and I’m also going for Sand Hawk ($19.50) because he has won over this distance and track before, and he also has champion jockey Damien Oliver on board.

MY TIPS:

Lodge the Deeds

Hissing Sid

Miss Darcey

Sand Hawk