A solid bunch of stayers will take their place in the Sydney Cup (3200m) this Saturday at Randwick.

Down below is a speed map, runner preview and $100 betting strategy for the 2024 Sydney Cup.

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2024 Sydney Cup Speed Map

Looks like this will be a truly run Sydney Cup with the GaiBott trio of Military Mission, Serpentine and Major Beel all pressing forward. Chuck in Torrens, who likes to be on speed, the tempo will be genuine.

2024 Sydney Cup Runner Preview:

1. Military Mission: He had the pattern and a soft lead in his corner in the Tancred and he did stick on well, but was tiring late and held by Kalapour. I can’t see him running two miles and topweight, he goes through to the keeper and for mine, he’s way too short.

2. Mahrajaan: Got a 12/10 steer from Weatherley to win the Auckland Cup and that form was ticked off via Mark Twain in the Roy Higgins. Trip is no issue…but surely he’s not good enough and similar to Military Mission, I find him way too short.

3. Ashrun: He needs that little bit of cushion in the track and he gets it here after being 2/5 lame post the Tancred where he found a firm deck. He actually did a remarkable job to find the line given that lameness. Pakenham Cup win was outstanding, he came off it a touch in the Tancred…he can bounce back hard.

4. Loft: Jumping is his future. He’s a slug.

5. Stockman: He’s been a ripper for Joe Pride for a few seasons, but there is enough in his form recently to say he’s had enough and he was very plain in the Chairmans on the weekend. Can’t entertain him.

6. Selino: Race shape hasn’t been suited to him his past two, firstly at Caulfield before contesting the Roy Higgins, where they really zipped home and he struggled to pick his feet up quickly. He won the race two years ago, luckless in the race last year and I feel he is ticking along nicely. Value.

7. Kalapour: Not sure he runs two miles but he finds a race where he gets a chance. He got a 12/10 from Gibbons to win the Tancred and is better suited at handicap level vs WFA. Can’t back him to win but a must for exotics.

8. Serpentine: One of the worst set ups for mine, but he’s flying. He led throughout to win Neville Sellwood two weeks ago but he fended off Zeyrek and Renaissance Woman, which isn’t a difficult task. 3200m is the query, and the form around him is very suspect.

9. Amade: One of the more incredible runs in the Adelaide Cup given Spain lost his irons 2400m out and was only just pipped for third. He loves the two miles and if he has taken no harm from last time, I think he only runs well for an in form camp and I feel he should be shorter.

10. Athabascan: Athabascan looks to be ticking along beautifully towards this race. He ran two weeks ago in the Tancred and was very good late in the piece between runners when a close up fourth to Kalapour. He gets serious weight relief, he’ll have no issue with 3200m, firm-ish deck, sense of timing…only runs well and is a great each way gamble.

11. Manzoice: Manzoice is not far away and comes here with fresh legs, three weeks between runs since running second in the Manion Cup where he was safely held by Post Impressionist but he stayed on and was solid enough in defeat. He’s working progress and gives every indication that 3200m suits. He can take this out without being a total shock.

12. Circle Of Fire: He is the one with the sense of timing. Chairmans win was very strong last Saturday. What did he beat? Nothing, but he is a horse with all the upside in the world, gets weight relief, strong late…clearly hard to beat.

13. Glentaneous: Looks like he has been set for the race since the Bagot win earlier in the year. Didn’t do a bad job in the Roy Higgins…just not sure he is good enough to threaten at this level at this trip.

14. Major Beel: Led and gave a great sight in the Roy Higgins but couldn’t quite see it through. He’ll lead and give plenty of cheek…just not sure he’s good enough to lead throughout and win. Maybe jumping is his future.

15. Mostly Cloudy: He’s the clear value for mine. He should have finished much closer in the Roy Higgins but had zero luck in the straight when wanting to build the revs. He has good upside to come, right down in the weights…right in the mix.

16. Torrens: Handy Listed/Group lll stayer…not at this level.

17. So Dazzling: Looked like a camel in the Epona but ran a much improved race in the Chairmans last Saturday. Off that effort, a wider first four prospect…but she is going through to the keeper.

2024 Sydney Cup $100 Betting Strategy:

$20 Win/$80 Place Athabascan (Best Tote Win/Mid Tote Place)

Group l Strategy Outlay: $5525
Group l Strategy Return: $5141

2024 Sydney Cup Odds:

1. Military Mission (17)

J: Adam Hyeronimus

T: G Waterhouse & A Bott

2. Mahrajaan (16)

J: Tom Marquand

T: Shaune Ritchie & Colm Murray

3. Ashrun (12)

J: Craig Williams

T: Ciaron Maher

4. Loft (7)

J: Blake Shinn

T: Ben, Will & Jd Hayes

5. Stockman (8)

J: Reece Jones

T: Joseph Pride

6. Selino (9)

J: Tommy Berry

T: Chris Waller

7. Kalapour (6)

J: Dylan Gibbons

T: Kris Lees

8. Serpentine (4)

J: Tim Clark

T: G Waterhouse & A Bott

9. Amade (5)

J: Michael Dee

T: Phillip Stokes

10. Athabascan (11)

J: Tyler Schiller

T: John O’Shea

11. Manzoice (1)

J: Zac Lloyd

T: Chris Waller

12. Circle Of Fire (15)

J: Andrea Atzeni

T: Ciaron Maher

13. Glentaneous (2)

J: Jamie Kah

T: A & S Freedman

14. Major Beel (3)

J: Louis-Philippe Beuzelin

T: G Waterhouse & A Bott

15. Mostly Cloudy (14)

J: Rachel King

T: Trent Busuttin & Natalie Young

16. Torrens (13)

J: Jenny Duggan

T: Marc Chevalier

17. So Dazzling (10)

J: Jay Ford

T: J G Sargent