Racing and Sports early thoughts: Kingsford Smith Cup

By Simon Dinopoulos

Only four favourites have won the Kingsford Smith Cup in the last 20 years with the fifth favourite the most prevalent during that period.

Last year, Vega One became the fifth winner to start fifth pick in the market, joining the likes of The Bostonian, Clearly Innocent, Your Song and Gee I Jane.

Your Song is the last three-year-old to win the Kingsford Smith Cup when successful in 2013.

Trained by Anthony Cummings, his son James Cummings saddles up second favourite Paulele on Saturday.

The Kingsford Smith Cup has proven a key race for the Cummings family with all three generations successful.

Bart first won the Kingsford Smith Cup with Broad Reach in 1987, before Anthony won it in 2009 with Duporth leaving James to bring up the family hat-trick with Impending in 2018.

Paulele is currently the only three-year-old in the final field with Jamaea, Ranch Hand and Alpine Edge all requiring a few scratchings to gain a start.

Paulele is one of six coming through the Doomben 10,000 with the former narrowly beaten behind Mazu.

It was a new career peak for the son of Dawn Approach now rated 121 by Timeform.

Only seen once beyond 1200 metres previously, which came in the VRC Sires’ Produce, Paulele gives the impression it will suit and a firmer surface is another tick.

A figure of 121 sees him rated marginally ahead of Entriviere, following her eye-catching third last start.

The wide draw cruelled her chances in the Doomben 10,000 and she has unfortunately drawn wide again.

She is sure to appreciate the step up in trip and the galloper just needs Opie Bosson to weave a bit of magic.

Entriviere started the shortest price in the lead up at $6 and while the map money will be against, she still appears the most likely to start the market elect on Saturday.

Away from her and Paulele there are a number of horses sitting in the 114-117 range, most notably Eleven Eleven who ran very well fresh in the Ortensia Stakes.

Not a noted first-up performer, he closed off well with the big weight and leading rider Hugh Bowman sticks aboard.

He has placed in four of seven attempts second up and is expected to run well.