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Kingsford Smith Cup Tips - I Wish I Win to bounce back with Eagle Farm win

adam-cusworth
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Last updated: 29 May 2024
Adam Cusworth 29 May 2024
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  • The Kingsford Smith Cup offers $1 million in prize money
  • Top contenders include I Wish I Win, Bella Nipotina, and Think About It
  • Best bet is I Wish I Win; value bet is Antino
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i wish i win
I Wish I Win (Getty Images)

The Kingsford Smith Cup is one of two Group 1 races at Eagle Farm on Saturday June 1.

Worth $1 million, the Kingsford Smith Cup is the second of the major Brisbane sprints, sandwiched between the Doomben 10000 (1200m) and the Stradbroke Handicap (1400m). 

I Wish I Win is favourite after the barrier draw, despite going down to Bella Nipotina in the Doomben 10000 on May 18. 

The Sir Kingsford Smith Cup was formerly known as the BTC Cup and raced over the 1200m, producing a number of star winners, including the likes of Black Caviar, Apache Cat and Falvelon. 

The Group 1 was taken out by Think About It in 2023 with that horse going on to claim the Everest at Randwick later in the year. He is back in action this year, as are the likes of Bella Nipotina and I Wish I Win, who fought out the recent Doomben 10000. 

2024 Sir Kingsford Smith Cup Preview


Three runners come out of the Doomben 10000 and they were the first three past the post in Bella Nipotina, I Wish I Win and Espiona. 

Think About It is right amongst it in the market and was unsuccessfully tried over longer trips during the Sydney carnival. 

The Jo Pride-trained galloper claimed this race in 2023 before winning the Stradbroke. He is a possible improver.

Magic Time is one of three other horses that had their last start in Sydney, taking out the All Aged Stakes on a bog track. 

Tuvalu shapes as a possible leader and comes off a first up win in the Wangoom Handicap (1200m) at Warrnambool. This is an obvious step up but he has performed well in Group 1 company in the past, albeit, over slightly longer trips. 

Cepheus may also head forward, while Think About It and Uncommon James are among a few that might settle handy. 

Bella Nipotina is expected to land in a midfield position, while In Secret also draws to be prominent from barrier 4. 

I Wish I Win usually gets back but settled a little closer last time when drawing barrier 1. The Peter Moody & Katherine Coleman-trained galloper draws an identical position and it will be interesting to see what Luke Nolen decides to do in the early stages this time around. 

2024 Sir Kingsford Smith Cup Tips


Best Bet - I Wish I Win

He was a tad costly as a $2.20 favourite in the Doomben 10000 and went down in the TJ Smith Stakes (1200m) prior to that as a $4.20 pop. 

But I do believe that I Wish I Win is the best contender in this field and the lightly raced galloper comes into this third up. 

The last time we saw him at this stage was in the autumn of 2023 when he bounced back from a 3rd placing behind In Secret in the Newmarket Handicap (1200m) to a win ahead of Giga Kick on Heavy going in the TJ Smith Stakes. 

He is likely to enjoy a track in the Soft to Heavy range, which will suit, and the slight step up in trip to the 1300m should suit. 

Value Bet - Antino

Antino represents a bit of X-factor. The locally trained galloper has displayed a stack of talent in the past and his first up run was more than encouraging when claiming the Group 2 Victory Stakes (1200m) at Eagle Farm. 

He was supported late in the betting that day and promptly delivered, running slick time in the process. 

The downside is the wide barrier but the five-year-old has won 10 of his 15 career starts, while he is unbeaten in three second up runs. 

With any luck in the early to middle stages in securing a spot, we know that he can find the line and the each-way odds on offer present appeal. 

Verdict

Our selections for the Kingsford Smith Cup:

Best Bet1: I Wish I Win Win @14/5 at dabble - 3 Units
Best Bet2: Antino Each-Way @9/1 at Justbet - 1 Unit
I Wish I Win
Win
@14/5 - 3 Units
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