- Thursday 17
- Friday 18
- Saturday 19
- Sunday 20
- Monday 21
- Tuesday 22
- Wednesday 23
- Thursday 24
- Friday 25
- Saturday 26
- Sunday 27
Sydney Cup Tips - Zardozi and Circle Of Fire can challenge Alalcance in Sydney Cup
- Alalcance favored, but faces tough competition in the 2025 Sydney Cup.
- Key contenders include Circle Of Fire and Zardozi.
- Race set at Randwick on April 12, 2025, promises thrilling horse racing action.
Expired
SYDNEY, AUSTRALIA - APRIL 13: Andrea Atzeni riding Circle Of Fire wins Race 7 Schweppes Sydney Cup during Sydney Racing: The Championships at Royal Randwick Racecourse on April 13, 2024 in Sydney, Australia. (Photo by Jeremy Ng/Getty Images)
Sydney Cup Preview
- Sydney Cup Preview
- 2025 Sydney Cup Speed Map
- 2025 Sydney Cup Best Bet
- 2025 Sydney Cup Value Bet
The Sydney Cup is one of four Group 1 races on Day 2 of The Championships at Randwick and it is the Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott-trained, Alalcance, that should be hard to beat.
The lightly raced five-year-old comes into the $2 million race with three consecutive victories this preparation, including the Listed Randwick City Stakes (2000m), the Group 3 NE Manion Cup (2400m), and the Group 2 Chairman’s Quality (2600m).
Despite a challenging wide draw in barrier 15, she is the one to beat and has firmed since acceptances from $2.80 into $2.30. Her recent form and ability to handle the extended distance of the Sydney Cup make her a formidable competitor, and she aims to become the first mare to win the autumn feature since Etah James in 2020.
Competing against her is a strong field, including defending champion Circle Of Fire, who is chasing back-to-back titles after winning the Sydney Cup last year. The Ciaron Maher-traiend galloper will carry 55kg this year, a notable increase from 51.5kg in 2024.
Also in the mix is the Godolphin-trained Zardozi, a classy four-year-old staying mare who is second in the betting at $6. She was 4th in the Melbourne Cup (3200m) last year.
Ciaron Maher has another major contender in Duke De Sessa, the 2024 Caulfield Cup winner, who carries the top weight of 56.5kg. Other notable contenders include Arapaho and Mostly Cloudy, who could offer value at longer odds. The Sydney Cup will be held as Race 7 at Randwick on Saturday, April 12, 2025, as part of a 10-race card.
2025 Sydney Cup Speed Map
Alalcance has led at all three of her runs this time in at an even tempo and has had plenty in reserve at the business end, winning by a combined margin of nearly eight lengths. Expect her to push forward and she might find the lead untroubled from barrier 15. River Of Stars, Duke De Dessa and Garacchio are among those that might also head forward to settle handy, ensuring there is some degree of tempo in the race. Circle Of Fire hasn't been too far away at his past couple of starts, while Zardozi is another that might settle first half of the field. Arapaho and Mostly Cloudy are among some of the backmarkers.
2025 Sydney Cup Best Bet
Alalcance might just be better but this is her biggest test and am willing to risk her at the quote. Zardozi will thrive over the 3200m after her 4th placing in last year’s Melbourne Cup when going 13 lengths faster than standard benchmark. She has been strong late in her races this time in, producing a series of excellent figures. The four-year-old wont have to work as hard as the favourite in the early stages from barrier 3 and we know she gets the trip. With just the 53kg on her back, I expect her to be very hard to hold out late in the piece.
2025 Sydney Cup Value Bet
I don't mind Circle Of Fire as a value pick, despite copping a poor barrier. The winner of this race last year is another that comes out of last year’s Melbourne Cup, running 6th. He has been tuning up nicely at his past two starts behind some world class gallopers, including a 4th behind Vauban and a 5th behind Dubai Honour in the Tancred Stakes (2400m). He is likely to have to negotiate at least one bend out wide but if he can settle two out and with cover by the 2000m, he can be right in the thick of the action at the business end.
Verdict
Sydney Cup Tips
Zardozi
Best Bet
@7/1 - 2 Units
Download the dabble app
with referral code BETSAU
Download the dabble app, enter referral code BETSAU to enjoy Dabble, the betting app with a difference! Bet as normal with & also be part of Australia's betting community where you can follow punters and sports stars, copy their bets, have banter with your mates & watch Sky Racing channels. 18+. T&Cs apply. What are you prepared to lose today? Set a deposit limit.
Circle Of Fire
Best Value
@16/1 - 1 Unit
Download the dabble app
with referral code BETSAU
Download the dabble app, enter referral code BETSAU to enjoy Dabble, the betting app with a difference! Bet as normal with & also be part of Australia's betting community where you can follow punters and sports stars, copy their bets, have banter with your mates & watch Sky Racing channels. 18+. T&Cs apply. What are you prepared to lose today? Set a deposit limit.
Top Betting Sites
Betting offers
Upcoming Events
18 April 2025
- Echuca - April 18 -
- Horse Racing
19 April 2025
- Mornington- April 19 -
- Horse Racing
- All Aged Stakes -
- Horse Racing
- Champagne Stakes -
- Horse Racing
18 October 2025
- Caulfield Cup -
- Horse Racing
Load More
