Given an illustrious history dating back to 1866, it is quite surprising to find that the Sydney Cup has been claimed by Melbourne Cup winners just 8 times, with the back-to-back success of The Barb and Carbine in 1868-69 and 1899-90 respectively padding out those figures even further. And though the Sydney Cup has never quite exhibited the same lustre as its southern counterpart - a $5.5 million discrepancy in prizemoney will usually see to that - it is one of just a handful of genuine stakes s
Given an illustrious history dating back to 1866, it is quite surprising to find that the Sydney Cup has been claimed by Melbourne Cup winners just 8 times, with the back-to-back success of The Barb and Carbine in 1868-69 and 1899-90 respectively padding out those figures even further. And though the Sydney Cup has never quite exhibited the same lustre as its southern counterpart - a $5.5 million discrepancy in prizemoney will usually see to that - it is one of just a handful of genuine stakes staying tests on the Australian calendar, and thus critical to those horses of stout blood and iron fortitude that race in this country. The Sydney Cup story is indeed littered with famous equine names: some of the winners including champion stallion Wallace (1896), sire of 53 stakeswinners and 1909 Sydney Cup winner Trafalgar; the nation's two best ever staying mares Wakeful (1902) and Makybe Diva (2004); Western Australia's brilliant chestnut star Eurythmic (1921); and Tomy Woodcock's gutsy two-miler Reckless (1977). Smattered through the placings too, one may also find reminders of talents past, like Bart's Derby-hoarder Dayana (1974); Tulloch (1961), for whom 9st 13lbs proved too big a cross to bear; and the grand parrot-mouthed stayer Poitrel (1920). In the last decade or so, recurring names such as Mr Prudent, Ears Ronny, County Tyrone and No Wine No Song have given the race a new 'dour warhorse' complexion, their repeat courage adding much-needed character to a race that appeared to be losing its relevance in the early 90's.
The Sydney Cup has always remained relevant, however, to my hip-pocket, managing to snare the winner in three consecutive years with Mahtoum, County Tyrone and - speaking of dour warhorses - my old favourite Gallic in 2007. Those heady successes were tempered somewhat by the events of the last two years though, when Mr Tipsy and Zavite both failed me when a five-figure collect was on the cards (Zavite more so, at least Mr Tipsy managed a place!). This year clearly has not brought about one of the finer assemblages of horseflesh, with a couple of our better long-distance performers electing to take on the Queen Elizabeth (2000m), but one runner I keep going back to is Mourayan. I mean, he did everything in his power to set up the BMW for stablemate Linton, and the grey still couldn't get past him... I think he may just prove to be the one.