The National Day Cup – 2022

Track: Firm  Weather: Mostly Fine

Seven runners have accepted for the $624,000 AUD Group 3 National Day Cup and there have been no early scratchings.

Three of the seven runners are coming into this first-up after a nice break and all three have high chances to perform well early on this season.

Cordyceps Six is returning after 132 days off following his success in the Sha Tin Vase in May. He is coming into this race having won 50% of his 12 starts and finishing in the top three in 10 of those 12. He possesses some terrific speed and with natural age progression and upside, he will be looking to start the season the way he ended his last.

Master Eight had just the one start last preparation before the season ended where he was 10.6 lengths off the winner in sixth on a very soft track. He is no stranger to running in these high-class sprint races and it will be interesting to see how he returns. He will be looking to expand on an already impressive record where he has won 5 of his 9 starts, with 7 of the 9 being in the top 2.

Stronger also only had the one start last preparation before the season ended and it was a 7-length defeat in the Premier Cup over 1400m, and steps back to 1000m for the first time in a long time. He is proven in 1200m races in Group 1 company so it is intriguing to see how he goes over 1000m in a Group 3.

1. Sky Field (5)

Resumed in a Class 1 in the season opener where he was a very disappointing 9.1 length ninth. 1000m isn’t ideal and I think he has been weighted out of winning this type of race as he is proven at Group 1 level. Place chance at best.

2. Stronger (4)

Resuming after 104 days. He is also weighted poorly due to his success at Group 1 level. 1000m isn’t his peak distance but I still expect him to run solidly.

3. Lucky Patch (3)

Made an adequate return in the season opener running 5.5 lengths back in fifth in a Class 1 event. 1000m isn’t his main forte and he isn’t well weighted here, so it’s hard to back him with confidence.

4. Super Wealthy (7)

Ran well enough behind Lucky Sweynesse in the season debut and has run well in much better grades in the past. He generally runs well over the 1000m at this track and he has the right man aboard in Zac Purton to guide him around. He is a big chance.

5. Master Eight (6)

Resuming after 92 days. Forget his last start to end the season as he really didn’t appreciate the soft going. Prior to that, he ran well behind Wellington at Group 2 level over the 1200m which puts him right in this race. He is 2/2 up the straight here at Sha Tin and he gets in nicely at the weights. Will be in the finish.

6. Cordyceps Six (1)

Resuming after 132 days. Ended last season with a win over 1200m at Group 3 level, beating home Nervous Witness and Lucky Patch. He has trialled nicely in preparation for this, won 6/12 in his career with 10 of those finishes being in the top 3 and 4/9 over the 1000m. He is well weighted and should show the nice progression from a three-year-old to a four-year-old, and he has a really nice upside. One to beat.

7. Harmony And Rich (2)

Was a touch ordinary on season resumption behind Lucky Sweynesse. He is well weighted here though this might be just out of his reach.

The following are the top 4 selections for this year’s race.