Sydney Cup favourite Alalcance set to thrive over two miles at Royal Randwick

Sydney Cup favourite Alalcance will need to conquer new ground if she is to maintain her phenomenal unbeaten autumn campaign on Saturday.

Winning machine Alalcance has one essential final box to tick to complete her rapid ascent through Australia’s staying ranks in Saturday’s Group 1 $2m Sydney Cup (3200m) at Royal Randwick.

Alalcance has beaten all before her in a stunning unbeaten autumn campaign that has seen her put together three straight stakes wins in the Listed Randwick City Cup (2000m), Group 3 NE Manion Cup (2400m) and Group 2 Chairman’s Quality (2600m).

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But the gun daughter of Mastercraftsman will need to conquer new ground on day two of The Championships at her first attempt over two miles.

Trainer Adrian Bott, who trains alongside Hall Of Famer Gai Waterhouse, is confident Alalcance will be up to the challenge on the seven-day back-up from her Chairman’s Quality win.

“She is in great shape and came through her run last Saturday really well,” Bott said.

“I thought it was one of her better performances this preparation, that is what we were hoping to see, that continued improvement as we step up in trip.

“I would like to think we could see that same level of confidence going out to the two miles.

“She has got the pedigree to suggest she will stay and was very strong through the line on Saturday after sustaining a good gallop.”

• Sydney Cup field and barriers: Mid draw for Alalcance

Alalcance, the $2.50 favourite for the Sydney Cup, drops 4.5kg from her Chairman’s Quality win to 52kg for the Cup with Tim Clark aboard.

She is set take on a capacity field with 20 runners and three emergencies declared for the two-mile.

Alalcance smashes them in the Chairman's Quality! 💥

Good luck beating her in the Sydney Cup! 😳@[e-mail]/rKrNJUYKGx

— 7HorseRacing 🐎 (@7horseracing) April 5, 2025

Clark will need to continue contend with an awkward alley after Alalcance drew barrier 15 on Tuesday.

“She has drawn low her past two starts and been a little bit slow into stride and potentially could have got herself into a tricky position on a couple of those occasions,” Bott said.

“Being wide is not necessarily a concern at all.

“On Saturday Tim was able to ride his race and that’s very much was we plan to do on Saturday. She is versatile.”

• It’s an Honour: Why history is against Via Sistina on Saturday

Defending champion Circle Of Fire ($15) is one of two contenders for top trainer Ciaron Maher alongside Caulfield Cup winner Duke De Sessa ($9).

Chris Waller could have as many as eight runners in the Cup, a race he’s one five-times already.

Chairman’s Quality placegetters Birdman ($15) and Valiant King ($21) are his leading chances while Godolphin mare Zardozi ($7) is on the second line of betting.

Originally published as Sydney Cup favourite Alalcance set to thrive over two miles at Royal Randwick