Australian Cup Racing Tips - Boom or bust for Jenni as each-way contender looms

Birdman holds favouritism in markets after the barrier draw ahead of the recent All-Star Mile (1600m) winner, Tom Kitten, while the popular front-running mare, Pride Of Jenni, is right up there at around the $4.50 in most markets, while Leica Lucy is the only other runner in the 12-horse field that is in single figures. 

The All-Star Mile is one of the key form references with four key runners coming out of that. Pride Of Jenni once again led at a solid clip with the winner, Tom Kitten, going 17.5 lengths faster than standard benchmark

Pride Of Jenni again dictated a strong tempo in that race and was only run down late, while Sabaj (4th) and Leica Lucy (6th) both produced strong closing sectionals that tie into a genuinely run 2000m.

The Peter Young Stakes (1800m) was taken out by Birdman, who has continued his autumn rise, going a very respectable 11.4 lengths faster than standard benchmark. Apulia had to make his run out wide and filled the exacta, while Light Infantry Man (4th) and Basilinna (7th) come out of the Caulfield lead up. 

Light Infantry Man will be out to join the likes of Northerly as a two-time winner of this race after claiming it in 2025, going more than 21 lengths faster than standard. Pride Of Jenni bombed out to finish 9th last year but we can never underestimate the front runner. 

Pride Of Jenni draws out and will roll forward. Just Fine is likely to go with her early before taking up a trailing position as the mare looks to stretch the field. Light Infantry Man wont be far behind with cover, while there are a number that will go back, including Birdman, Sabaj and Leica Lucy. Tom Kitten draws outside Pride Of Jenni and it will be interesting to see what Craig Williams does after settling handy in the All-Star Mile, a tactic that paid dividends. Expect the tempo to be red-hot. 

2026 Australian Cup Best Bet

Apulia shapes as a value runner and might enjoy some of the favours that were missing last start. His Peter Young Stakes performance was much better than it reads on paper and he is a bit of a forgotten horse in the market. He made his run at the same time as Birdman but covered extra ground by looping them, while the winner saved ground before poking through a gap. He was strong with the fastest splits from the 600m to the 200m and held ground at the end. He comes off a staying preparation including a Perth Cup win at 2400m back on New Years Day and the fitness he takes into the race will come more than handy, especially at Flemington.

From barrier two, he can settle in a far more economical position than what he did at Caulfield. With blinkers going back on and a proven ability to sustain a long run, he profiles as the value runner. 

Pride Of Jenni remains one of the most polarising runners in the race but her map advantage and racing pattern mean she must be respected. She is almost certain to control the tempo and if left alone, can build into her high-pressure style which has proven devastating at this level.

Her record at 2000m has some inconsistencies- she has bombed out at her past three since her stunning Queen Elizabeth Stakes win in 2024. One of those was in the Cox Plate (2040m) at the end of a long prep and on a short back-up after travelling to Sydney, while she drew inside barriers in the other two, which doesnt seem to be her go. At her past 20 starts, she has won nine, placed in five and bombed out in six. But if you had backed her in all of those you would have nearly 300% profit on turnover and if they do let her bowl along, which they have in the past, she will leave her rivals with egg on their face, yet again.