MRC Foundation Cup 2020 betting tips & form guide
Formerly known as the Naturalism Stakes, the Group 3 MRC Foundation Cup offers ballot exemption to this year’s Caulfield Cup. A full field of 20 sees Orderofthegarter and Dr Drill top the market ahead of Game Keeper, Kinane and Dabiyr. The speed looks to be moderate, with Dr Drill, Haky, Think We’re Due and Dabiyr all genuine leaders.
Saturday betting tips for 2020 MRC Foundation Cup
Orderofthegarter @ $4 Neds
We are with the favourite, Orderofthegarter. The Danny O’Brien import has only had three runs since coming to Australia and just the two runs in the past two years, so we expect him to be much fitter now third up. In his last run he had to come very wide on the turn and still savaged the line despite being wide and over-racing throughout. Damien Oliver retains the ride and is drawn to get a much better run in transit from barrier four. The seven-year-old stallion is a Listed winner in Ireland and has raced well at Group 1 level in France, so he should be right up to the task here. He’s had a good look around Caulfield now and should be hard to beat.
Dabiyr @ $12 Neds
Dabiyr was another unlucky runner last start after being caught wide throughout when favourite at Moonee Valley. He stays at 2000m here in his first look at Caulfield. Drawn low in barrier two, Michael Walker will be able to poke up and settle on the leader’s back before peeling out in the straight. The 2000m trip has eluded him so far, with only two placings from three attempts, but we expect him to be wound up for this race given the ballot exemption that is available. He drops 3.5kg from his last run and is only 0.5kg above the minimum, so he will be in this up to his ears. In our books, he represents enormous value at double-figure odds.
Mirage Dancer @ $16 Neds
Mirage Dancer from the Busuttin & Young camp put in a solid performance last start when seventh at this track. He ran third in his Australian debut in the Caulfield Cup but still hasn’t managed to get the monkey off his shoulders since moving from the UK. Going off his last start run over 1700m at Caulfield, he is ready to go up to 2000m and will be suited by a good tempo. Ben Melham stays aboard and shouldn’t find any trouble from barrier 13. It would almost be ideal to see the Frankel entire three wide with cover and slingshotting around the bend. He has the ability and some of the best credentials in the race, but the top weight might find him out. Nonetheless, he should be included in multiples.