The Millwood Cup Gushing Vs Dark Mandu!

Ladies and Gentlemen Welcome to the biggest Australian race of the year the 2 Mile Millwood Cup, today brings together some of the world’s finest stayers to contest the most grueling race on the Sim calendar. Today race takes place in New South Wales as Victoria is at odds with the Australian government as it wishes to become its own country. So the Government have given the Milwood Cup to New South Wales. The locals look to have boycotted the race as there is not a single Australian bred horse in the field, things are going so bad that there are no Australian Jockeys either!

We have an interesting bunch lining up here today with a Filly 2, three year olds as well as a lightly raced, unfashionably bred, up and coming horse that could well be the best distance horse in the world, added to the mix is the current champion of the division. Can Dark Mandu dethrone Gushing? Let’s take a look at the field and find out.

KITTEN’S JOY x NIJINSKY 2ND x BROAD BRUSH

Lightly Raced son of Kitten’s Joy stepping up to the elite level for the 1^st time. He has had 3 starts already over the 16f for a win and a 2^nd place both in stakes class. Last time out he was only able to come in 2^nd to High Pitch Bulb. The good thing was he came from a long way back to only just miss the win. He has had a nice break since flying in from Florida, but looking through his form and at his breeding I think he is better suited to 12 furlongs.

NEW APPROACH (IRE) x NUREYEV x CAPE CROSS

The Traditional lead up race to the Millwood Cup is the Coalminer Cup, started out the back and didn’t make up much ground in the  which New Nure Nuest ran in last start. You would like to see a horse running in the 12 furlong race coming home hard but New Nure Nuest started out the back and stayed there. His last 2 starts have been ordinary which isn’t a plus, and he has failed dismally on a couple of occasions over 16 furlongs. Even if he was at his peak I don’t think the 107 he ran in the fitness cup in February will be good enough to win, another 12 Furlong horse for me.

AUTHORIZED x LEAR FAN x BLUSHING GROOM

Learing Groom is the Elder statesman of the field at seven years old, but don’t let his age fool you he is in career best form running 2^nd last time out in the grade 2 the Don Plastered Cup at surrey. In Mid 2013 he was picked up in a claimer for just $40,000 and here he is racing for $4,000,000. Since being claimed he has had 14 starts over 2 miles, winning half of them, so we know he will run the distance. The only problem is the class. I don’t think he can win but for all of the once a year punters he is worth a few Dollars.

WILD RUSH x PIVOTAL x DEPUTY MINISTER

This Japanese Sun of Wild Rush starts as 2^nd Favorite, looking at his form he looks like he is a very versatile horse being able to run anywhere from 9 furlongs to 16 furlongs on both Turf or Dirt. I find it all a bit confusing as I’m sure the horse does! His breeding to me says he should not run more than 8 furlongs! Looking at his latest form he will be back beyond midfield, but may be more chance sitting just off the speed. I think he has a chance but I would be looking more at 12 Furlong Dirt races for this fella.

HIGH CHAPARRAL (IRE) x FORTY NINER x SEATTLE SLEW

Expensive 3yo cold also flown in from Surrey for today’s event, trained by the Aussie master Deyoto! Rapala comes into today’s race coming off a career best 114 in the Grade 2 Saint Legend Stakes, over 14 furlongs. For such a young horse that is a huge run especially since it was the 1^st time the horse went beyond 12 furlongs. The problem for the other horses is Rapala not only can go fast over long distances but he will also be the pace in the race. The only question mark for me is will he be able to run that sort of speed over 16 furlongs? Way over the odds at 12/1

DUKE OF MARMALADE x COZZENE x IRISH RIVER

Stunning looking Roan Colt that looks to be on the up and a great chance at the lofty odds of 13/1. Cowra Irish has now had 3 starts in grade 3 company, including a 14 furlong victory by a massive 4 lengths last start. Two starts back he managed a 111 over 12 furlongs in running 2^nd. This is again another one of those horses that looks bred to run 12 furlongs, but he could be capable of winning this if he is able to run the distance. Travelling in from France today off a nice break. Good Chance.

SYMBOLI KRIS S x GALILEO x DYNAFORMER

A Wish For U comes into today’s meeting with 2 Runs at the 16 Furlongs for a win and a 2^nd in grade 2 and 3 events. Some very nice runs at smaller distances have seen speed figures up to 108, is that good enough to win, I’m not sure. Breeding wise I would say his optimal distance is 14 furlongs, so it will be interesting to see if he can run out the 16 furlongs at Grade 1 level. His only other start at the hihgest level seen him run 4^th over 11 Furlongs 3 runs back. Personally I think the distance will be issue in this class but it is in the mix for the placing’s.

NEW APPROACH (IRE) x SADLER’S WELLS x CARO

Knight nutcase looks set to run big today with top Jockey Ledwith on his back. This up and coming 4yo by new approach looks to be a very capable competitor. He has been racing consistently well over longer distances for some time but has yet to get into the winners stall when running graded races so far in his career. An interesting choice 2 back to try him over 16 furlongs on dirt saw him fail dismally, but he did bounce back very well next time out back on the turf over the 12 furlongs of the classic Turf stakes. He was able to run a 109 in running 4^th. I expect he will be on speed but the jury is out on him as I can’t be sure if his failure 2 back was due to the 16 furlongs on because he raced on Dirt. I’m not sure about this one!

MONTJEU x KINGMAMBO x BROAD BRUSH

Last year’s winner Outback Voyager comes into today’s race all the way from Paris after running 3^rd in the Longchamp Marathon, although 3^rd she was still 17 lengths from the winner in smart Mare Gushing. Before that she showed some class winning over 13 furlongs in an allowance at Berkshire. Coming into last year’s race she was in winning form, taking out the Longchamp marathon. We no she can get the distance but the toll of running at the top class for so long to me means she needs a well-deserved break, I can’t see her going Back to Back.

HURRICANE RUN (IRE) x DILSHAAN (GB) x LEAR FAN

The aptly named run for miles was bred specifically for long distance racing and his 2^nd last time out in the Longchamp Marathon means he will be right up to winning here today. So far he has had 3 starts at the 16 furlongs and has a 1^st, 2^nd and a 3^rd. Last time out Miles delivered one of his best ever performances with a speed figure of 105. Not bad for a horse that was claimed for only $3000 in May 2013. He has top jockey Ledwith in the Saddle but for mine will need to improve at least 5 more points to win. Could be in the finish.

MONSUN (GER) x SADLER’S WELLS x ROBERTO

Superstar! That is the word that best describes this horse. 3 Grade 1 wins and a slew of fantastic runs sees Gushing at the top of the pops in the turf marathon divisions. Last time out in Paris he dominated to win by 4 and a half lengths. Harzheim said after the race that he could have won by a lot further and that the race was over at the 12 furlong pole. Looking at the speed Map I think he will take a spot right behind the leader and make a big run 4 furlongs from home. He will be very hard to beat!

MOUNTAIN HIGH (IRE) x SCATMANDU x NORTHERN GUEST

The heir apparent? Only time will tell but after only 8 starts Dark Mandu has won a grade 1 and warmed up for this race with 2, 14 furlong grade 2 wins. I believe wyndaway has specifically set Dark Mandu for today’s race by spacing his races well. It was at just his 6^th start he met Gushing over 16 Furlongs and was beaten a bit over 5 lengths, but he did beat gushing home in the Spring Cup at only his 5^th start and for mine he is the horse that has the most improvement in him. He is not the most fashionably bred horse but seems to be able to run 16 Furlongs without any trouble. For me it could come dowmn to the best ride in the race, he is clearly a top 2 chance.

DYLAN THOMAS (IRE) x DYNAFORMER x SADLER’S WELLS

First time grade 1 starter, 2 time grade 2 winner! It is nice to see slowly maturing Dino Dylan finally making his way into the big time. With 5 starts over 2 Miles for 3 wins and 2 2nds says that he can certainly run the distance, and I think it has been brilliant training by Barnbrook to wait for this long for him to mature. There is no doubt this is a step up in completion but I think now is the time to step him up after last starts dominant win in Grade 2 Company. For mine he will be hard pressed to beat the other stars but a few starts at this level could see him improve enough to take out a Grade 1 in the near Future. He is defiantly a horse to keep an Eye on.

ROCK OF GIBRALTAR x DEPUTY MINISTER x NORTHERN DANCER

Jung is bred just like my mother all class! Another up and coming horse that likes to get out in front of the field and grind his completion into the dirt (or turf as it is). Thus far however he is yet to prove himself in the top echelon of the turf distance horses. Last start though he dominated a Grade 3 field in the Gladiator to win by 4 and a half lengths, he could have won by a lot more and hopefully for his trainer it is a sign that the penny has finally dropped and Jung will now have his mind on the Job. You will know how well he is going after just 4 furlongs, if he is in front he will be in the finish, if not it will be back to the drawing board for kwhisper. Perhaps dropping off the speed could see the improvement required.

Well this is a very interesting race as there is so much speed for a 2 mile race, I think it will be set up for Gushing and Dark Mandu to run over the top. But I can also see the 2 3 year olds Rapala & Cowra Irish running Bold Races. I think we could see speed figures pushing 115, good luck to all and may the best horse win!