2017 Auckland Cup form, free tips and updated betting markets
THE action continues over the Tasman in New Zealand where Ellerslie hosts the $500,000 Group 1 Auckland Cup tomorrow.
The 3200m staying feature has been won by many of New Zealand’s champion thoroughbreds, which includes Melbourne Cup winner Jezabeel and the Australian-performed Sangster and Who Shot Thebarman.
17 runners will be vying to etch their names into the history books this Saturday and we have sorted through the form to find our best value tips for the 2017 Auckland Cup.
Sorting through the Cup field can be tough for punters, given that only two runners in this year’s edition are last start winners, but there is great value to be snapped up and with the current favourite at $6, it’s anyone’s race for the taking.
2017 Auckland Cup market
[rmOC_events_list event_ids=1130692_06]
Best value Auckland Cup tips
The value on offer from bookmakers is incredible and punters will have no problem locking in a good price for their runner.
Punters should note that the track will likely be heavy after torrential rain fell throughout the week, so we’re going to target horses which are proven in the conditions. Running two miles in a bog isn’t an easy task so the hardened stayers appeal to us.
Jacksstar – +600 at Sportsbet.com.au
The Gary Vile-trained gelding has been in good form throughout the season which included back-to-back wins. One of those came over two miles at Trentham in December and it has since finished close up behind some nice types.
It looked the winner in the Wellington Cup when finishing a nose behind Savaria and it produced a good finish for sixth over 2400m in the Avondale Cup. That form should be strong for this and it’s twice a winner on heavy tracks which will suit.
Zed’s are bred to stay and enjoy the wetter conditions and Jacksstar looks a top chance at a handy each way price.
Megablast – +500 at CrownBet.com.au
The five-year-old gelding hasn’t been able to win in recent times, but it continues to run on nicely and the conditions will be ideal.
The Nigel Tiley-trained runner has finished out of the money in only one of four starts at Ellerslie and it’s a swimmer. It has won five from 12 starts on rain-affected ground and the rise in distance looks ideal after running on over 2400m last start.
It does rise up in weight which is a concern, but we’re expecting Megablast to be in the thick of the action with Michael Coleman in the saddle.
Gentil Tonton – +3300 at Sportsbet.com.au
Gentil Tonton is a former European stayer by Yeats which grows another leg in the wet. The O’Sullivan/Scott-trained gelding has horrible recent form, but that has all come on dry tracks.
The former winner at The Curragh has won four from nine on rain-affected tracks and it has never won or placed on dry tracks. That bodes well for this Saturday which is expected to be a very wet track and we can’t believe the price being offered by bookmakers.
Its most recent run on a wet track was when it finished second behind the well-performed Maygrove and that form stacks up well for this.
It’s a past winner at Ellerslie and the local punters are starting to take notice. It’s currently $18 in New Zealand, so get in at Sportsbet while the good price is available.
Chenille – +750 at WilliamHill.com.au
The Tony Pike-trained mare doesn’t have any form on rain-affected tracks, but it’s too good to leave out.
The daughter of Pentire is certainly bred to handle these conditions and it comes into the Auckland Cup having scored an impressive 1.5-length win at Ellerslie last week.
It has the turn-of-foot needed to win staying events and although running over the 3200m is new territory for the five-year-old, we’re confident of a good showing.