Saturday preview: Ubet’s Gerard Daffy breaks down Caloundra Cup Day on the Sunshine Coast

UBET’S Gerard Daffy looks at the final meeting of the Queensland Winter Carnival featuring the $160,000 Group 3 Sunshine Coast Guineas.

Maurus and jockey Damian Browne will be hoping they can add the $175,000 Listed Caloundra Cup to their recent Ipswich Cup success. Picture: Liam Kidston

UBET’S Gerard Daffy looks at the final meeting of the Queensland Winter Carnival featuring the $160,000 Group 3 Sunshine Coast Guineas, won by Winx in astonishing circumstances last year.

Winx found herself tailed off at the 400m in the Corbould Park feature before unleashing a whirlwind finish to win by almost two lengths.

The victory set in motion an incredible run of nine consecutive wins, taking in Group 1s including the Cox Plate and Doncaster Mile along the way,

Saturday’s meeting might not reveal a racehorse of Winx’s calibre but the David Vandyke-trained Maurus looms an emerging stayer if he can pull off Ipswich Cup/Sunshine Coast Cup double.

The factors

Track: Soft (6)

Rail: True Entire Course

Weather: Fine 20C

HOT TIPS: WEEKEND BEST BETS

BEAT THE BOOKIE: VALUE BETS

SPORTSMAN: SUNSHINE COAST

Race 4: Bruce McLachlan Memorial 2YO Hcp

1200m, Set Weights, 1.57pm

In the run: Aquajewel and Happy Event likely to come across from wide barriers and set the early pace.

Take note: Seven of the field are trained on the track at the Sunshine Coast.

Did you know: There are no last-start winners in the field.

Early money: Punters staying out at this stage, no significant moves.

Tip: Happy Event $2.60

Danger: Aquajewel $14

Well placed: Sold For Song and jockey James Orman combine to win at Doomben last December. Picture: Jono Searle

Race 5: Sunshine Coast Guineas

1600m, Group 3, 2.37pm

In the run: Speed looks solid with Patronizing going forward, Madam De Ban and Perfect Dare should push forward from wide barriers.

Take note: Sold For Song is very well placed at the set weight conditions.

Did you know: There are only two last-start winners engaged, Time To Torque and Sold For Song.

Early money: High Spirit $8.50-$6.50, Sold For Song $4-$3.

Tip: Sold For Song $3

Danger: Tivaci $3.70

Race 6: Glasshouse Handicap

1400m, Listed, 3.17pm

In the run: Speed only appears to be moderate with Saluter and Flamboyer the most likely to be on the pace.

Take note: Saluter has great record at the track with three wins from four starts

Did you know: No winner of the race has carried more than 59.5kg in the last 20 years. Stratum Star has 61kg.

Early money: Irish Constabulary $13-$8

Tip: Saluter $4.80

Danger: Irish Constabulary $8

Race 7: Caloundra Cup

2400m, Listed, 3.57pm

In the run: On paper the race doesn’t have any speed involved, many scenarios could pan out.

Take note: Damian Browne is leading the Sunshine Coast jockey premiership, striking at a red-hot 30 per cent.

Did you know: Maurus is going for the Ipswich Cup/Sunshine Coast Cup double, last achieved by Shenzhou Steeds in 2012.

Early money: My Diamantine: $51-$21

Tip: Maurus $1.70

Danger: Jumbo Prince $6.50

Jumbo Prince (purple silks) looms as a genuine threat to Maurus on Saturday.

Originally published as Saturday preview: Ubet’s Gerard Daffy breaks down Caloundra Cup Day on the Sunshine Coast