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Runner-by-runner analysis for the Group 1 Australian Cup

Jett Hatton runs the rule over every runner Saturday’s Group 1 Australian Cup at Flemington and provides his tips.

Jett Hatton
2025 Australian Cup – Racenet Form Facts
2 min read
6:30AMMarch 27, 2025

Saturday’s renewal of the Group 1 Australian Cup (2000m) at Flemington will see 10 gallopers do battle and we’ve analysed the chances of every horse set to line up.

1 – LIGHT INFANTRY MAN

Broke through for wins at the back end of 2024 with the Listed Chester Manifold Stakes and Group 1 Northerly Stakes. Has turned in two solid runs this time in, the latest when out to 1600m in the All-Star Mile and savaging the line for third behind Tom Kitten and Mr Brightside. He no doubt enjoys racing at Flemington and the step up to 2000m looks right up his alley.

Verdict: Can win.

2 – ATTRITION

Group 1 Toorak Handicap winner from a few seasons ago that gets here third-up into his campaign. Settled at the rear last start in the Blamey Stakes and hit the line strongly to grab second spot. The way in which he won the Hill Stakes in the spring would suggest 2000m isn’t beyond him.

Verdict: Top four at best.

3 – YOUNG WERTHER

Veteran galloper with some super performances at this track and distance, including a second to Incentivise in a Turnbull Stakes, but he’s past his best and was just plain in the Australian Cup Prelude.

Verdict: A top-three finish would surprise.

4 – MIDDLE EARTH

Highly regarded import that was met with heavy support on Australian debut and it was spot on, holding off luckless stablemate Duke De Sessa to score. Drawn a tricky barrier but should only improve on that last start effort and be in the mix.

Verdict: Should be running on.

5 – SHAIYHAR

Gets here fit as anything having been in work since September last year. In that time he has steadily improved and was last sighted finishing third to Middle Earth. Should put in an honest performance again but he’s not Group 1 quality.

Verdict: Not here.

6 – PRIDE OF JENNI

The most polarising horse going around was a big winner at her comeback run in the Peter Young Stakes. There’s not much to say other than she won exactly how she normally does. Doubt she gets to run away from them on her own with Deny Knowledge also engaged here but she should lead that horse from barrier one.

Verdict: Right in the mix again.

7 – ATISHU

Couldn’t sprint with them at her first two runs in the Apollo Stakes and All-Star Mile but now gets out to 2000m on a track she loves. This is her grand final and while she might be going a length or two worse than the spring, you can’t rule her out.

Verdict: Has to improve but in with a chance.

8 – ZARDOZI

Godolphin mare that couldn’t run down Pride Of Jenni last start. The way this race looks to map out should suit her better, as will the rise in trip to 2000m. Something to note is she’s one for 15 on dry ground but five for eight on wet. Maybe she just wants some rain?

Verdict: Has to improve but looks likely to do so.

9 – DENY KNOWLEDGE

Has looked to emulate Pride Of Jenni’s racing style and it has paid off for her on a few occasions. Will she take on Pride Of Jenni here? If she does I doubt she can sustain the gallop.

Verdict: Don’t think she can run top three.

10 – FEROCE

The X-factor in the race being the only three-year-old to tackle it. Hard not to be impressed by his last start win in the Australian Guineas and the form out of the race has been good so far. Query at the trip but will be given every opportunity to run it out.

Verdict: Might struggle against open company.

TIPS

1 – LIGHT INFANTRY MAN

2 – ZARDOZI

3 – PRIDE OF JENNI

4 – ATISHU

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Original URL: https://www.theaustralian.com.au/sport/horse-racing/runnerbyrunner-analysis-for-the-group-1-australian-cup/news-story/fa6b0fc85044079d57cabe611d3de11d