ATC Cup – 2022

Track: Good  Weather: Mostly Fine

Seventeen runners have accepted for the $160,000 ATC Cup and there has been one early scratching.

Steely ($3.60) has opened up the favourite following his bold display a week ago in a benchmark 88 at Kembla Grange. He ran second to the very talented Nugget after travelling wide throughout the race.

Longvillers ($4.60) is on the next line of betting after he ran a three-length sixth last time out in the Five Diamonds. He was snagged back to last before making solid ground late in his Australian debut.

New Mandate ($10.00) and Alcyone ($10.00) are joint third favourites. New Mandate made his Australian debut like his stablemate Longvillers in the Five Diamonds where he wasn’t as flashy when finishing 3.3 lengths off the winner in seventh, without making any significant ground. Alcyone finished close up in second in a benchmark 90 last start, whilst running some very quick sectionals.

1. Dr Drill (2)

Ran well first-up before finishing well back last start, where he was found to be 1/5 lame. Up to 2000m suits and has drawn well. Should be thereabouts.

2. New Mandate (11)

Ran in the Five Diamonds first up where he wasn’t as flashy when finishing 3.3 lengths off the winner in seventh. This was his Australian debut and he will no doubt improve but I am not sure this is the race got him.

3. Torrens (9)

I can’t have him just yet, I want to see him return to his previous form with previous stable.

4. Grandslam (15)

SCRATCHED

5. Longvillers (17)

Got well back in the Five Diamonds but hit the line well in some nice time. This was his Australian debut and he will definitely come on from that run. He has drawn horribly here so it will be interesting to see what they do. They will need luck, but he can be in the finish.

6. Regal Lion (13)

Form hasn’t been ideal and he has drawn poorly. Prefer others.

7. Aleas (8)

His form this preparation hasn’t been great. Can’t have.

8. The Frontman (12)

Finished third in the Ladies Day Cup, but loomed to win. Drawn ordinary and will be giving them a start. Prefer others.

9. Alcyone (7)

Hit the line in quick time when over 1800m at Flemington in a weaker grade. He finished within a length of the eventual winner but displayed some nice sectionals over the final 400m. Drawn well with no weight. Has to be a chance.

10. Bonny Ezra (16)

Out to a much more suitable distance here though he has to deal with a horror draw. He is better than what he has displayed but I can’t back him in this one.

11. Criminal Code (5)

Poor form, prefer others.

12. Splendiferous (3)

First up after 168 days. Will come on from whatever she does here.

13. Rebel Rama (14)

Ran third in the Diamond Prelude before finishing well back in the Five Diamonds. Will be suited out to 2000m but the draw makes it very tough.

14. Steely (1)

On the quick back up after running 2.3 lengths off the talented Nugget at Kembla Grange. Usually isn’t that far away when running at Rosehill and his best form has been over 1800m and on good tracks, so 2000m shouldn’t be an issue. Drawn well. One to beat.

15. Rondino (4)

Going for three in a row. Dropped back from 2400m to 1800m last start and saluted well. Back up to 2000m is good, low weight, and a nice draw. Won’t be far off them.

16. Palmetto (10)

Would prefer it with the sting out of the ground.

17. Pale King (6)

Going for three in a row dropping back from 2400m. Big jump in grade but has drawn well and has no weight.

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

Josh’s Tips	Jo’s Tips
5 Longvillers	14 Steely
14 Steely	9 Alcyone
9 Alcyone	15 Rondino
13 Rebel Rama	5 Longvillers