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Strathalbyn Cup Preview

An even field is set to line up in Sunday’s Strathalbyn Cup which is filled with locally trained chances, track specialists and a two time Cup runner-up.

Four locally trained horses are set to take their place in the final field and three of them look like really strong chances in their hometown Cup.

David Jolly’s Bajan is the only last start winner in the whole field and has won three of his last four starts. He’s up in grade on Sunday but will only carry the minimum weight. While he rises in class, it’s hard to knock winning form and he gets the talented Todd Pannell on board which is a huge tick for his chances.

Eperdument’s jockey Justin Potter has won two of the last three Strathalbyn Cups and the 2017 winning combination of Potter and trainer Shane Oxlade will combine again on Sunday. The mare ran second at Gawler last Saturday over 2100m and has had success over the distance twice before in her career. Interestingly she’s never won on her home track but her chances will be buoyed with the booking of Strathalbyn local Potter.

Igitur is the other locally trained runner who rarely runs a bad race on his home track. He absolutely loves the 2000m at home, winning on four occasions from six starts. In his five runs this campaign his worst finish has been fourth and he’s also racked up two wins along the way. It would be a huge thrill for trainer Emma Hubbard to win her local Cup and you can be certain there will be plenty of support trackside for Igitur on Sunday.

Iron horse Exalted Lightning returns for his fourth crack at the Cup and has been the ‘bridesmaid’ in the last two editions of the race. He returned to the races last weekend after close to seven months off. While he’s probably going to need another run or two before he hits his peak fitness, you just have to respect his record in this Cup and you can never write off a Grant Young trained horse in a big race.

Murray Bridge based Sanima Star has recorded five of her six career wins at Strathalbyn. The mare has only missed the placings on three occasions in twelve starts at the track and will be one who has to be given a chance due to her strike rate at Strathalbyn. She’ll get a very handy claim from apprentice Sophie Logan and will come into the Cup second-up where she’s won twice before.

Another horse that loves the 2000m is Leon Macdonald & Andrew Gluyas’ Super Swoop. He’s three from six at the distance and is a horse that usually improves each run into his prep. You always have to respect the stable in big races and he’s also a horse that will appreciate any give in the ground. He has an outstanding record on soft and heavy tracks, so if there is rain around this weekend, he has to come into calculations on Sunday.  

Selections

  1. Bajan 2. Igitur 3. Super Swoop 4. Eperdument

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