Cranbourne Cup Day at Cranbourne Tips, Race Previews and Selections

The Listed Cranbourne Cup headlines an exceptional ten-race program at Cranbourne on Saturday, November 25.

I’ve run the rule over every galloper and every race, and you can find all of my thoughts and 2023 Cranbourne Cup Day Tips below!

Hertz Cranbourne Classic (2025m) – 12:10pm AEDT

Warmonger has been excellent since debuting, and this is a perfect feature race for him.

The War Decree gelding finished third, beaten just over a length on debut at Seymour and is since undefeated, recording consecutive wins, including a lovely win in Listed company on Melbourne Cup Day.

He’s hard fit and looks the one to beat again.

Suggested Bet: No. 1 Warmonger

Frankston Sand Soil & Mini Mix 3YO Handicap (1200m) – 12:40pm AEDT

I like that Brave Mead is on the quick back up in this weaker race, and I think he’s going to take a power of beating.

The Brave Smash colt has missed placing once in nine career starts so far, and winning at Caulfield on Caulfield Cup Day most notably, while placing in both the Carbine Club Stakes and the Blue Sapphire at his last two.

He’s hard fit and with even luck, I can’t find a reason why he won’t be in the finish.

Suggested Bet: No. 1 Brave Mead

Rosemont Stud Fillies & Mares Pendant (1400m) – 1:10pm AEDT

Climbing Star has mixed her form a little this time in, but she steps out on Cranbourne Cup Day in peak order, and I think that this is the perfect race for her.

The Zoustar mare is yet to strike in five starts back, but she is unlucky not to have, and she finished second in the Neds Moonga Stakes before finishing midfield in the Inglis Bracelet at her latest.

She’s hard fit, the 1400m is ideal, and Craig Williams knows her extremely well.

Suggested Bet: No. 6 Climbing Star

Rhino The Wrecker Handicap (2500m) – 1:45pm AEDT

King’s Crossing returned to winning form at Geelong at his last appearance, and I thought that this looked a great opportunity for him to make it two in a row.

The Almanzor gelding finished down the order at Flemington in his first start back in September, but was greatly improved on Geelong Cup Day.

He clearly races well with his starts spaced, and the 2500m this week looks ideal at this point of his preparation.

Suggested Bet: No. 2 King’s Crossing

Hallam Truck Centre Handicap (1000m) – 2:20pm AEDT

This looks to be one of the more open races on the program, and there is a case to be made for a few of them, including Mamaragan.

The 2020 Golden Slipper placegetter is yet to strike in three runs back from a break, but I thought that he was very good in blinkers at The Valley two back, while he made up plenty of ground late from the tail of the field at his latest.

He’s hard fit and drawn to receive a lovely run under Rhys McLeod.

Suggested Bet: No. 2 Mamaragan

Reed Cranes & Haulage Handicap (1300m) – 3pm AEDT

Free Willed makes her eagerly awaited return to the races on Cranbourne Cup Day, and I think that this looks an ideal launchpad.

The Tivaci mare turned in some lovely performances lasty time in, recording consecutive wins here and at Sandown most notably, while ending her prep in a couple of strong Saturday metro races.

She only just missed at her only other fresh run to date, and she gets into this race well under the conditions.

Suggested Bet: No. 11 Free Willed

John Duff & Co. The Lester (2025m) – 3:40pm AEDT

Gregolimo simply will not get a better opportunity to win than this.

The imported gelding was set for the Caulfield Cup, but suffered defeat to Muramasa in BM78 company at Flemington and in the Neds Coongy Cup, ending any hope of qualification.

He has since finished second, beaten less than a length by Holymanz in an 1800m contest at Flemington, and he’s hard fit for Saturday’s assignment.

Suggested Bet: No. 1 Gregolimo

Apache Cat Classic (1000m) – 4:20pm AEDT

This is a quality edition of the Apache Cat Classic and there are several winning chances engaged, including Jigsaw.

Jigsaw found career-best form last time in, recording wins in the Group 2 Australia Stakes and the Neds Hareeba Stakes most notably, while he’s been far from disgraced in the Group 2 Gilgai and the Group 1 Manikato Stakes this time in, finishing fifth in both races.

This is a substantial drop in class, he steps out in top order, and I thought that the $8 about him in Apache Cat Classic betting (at publish) was overs.

Suggested Bet: No. 1 Jigsaw

Listed Cranbourne Cup (1600m) – 5pm AEDT

Foxy Cleopatra only just missed behind Group 1 winner Skew Wiff in the Hong Kong Jockey Club Stakes first-up from a spell, and she is the one for me in this year’s Cranbourne Cup.

She has only made five appearances at the races since debuting, but the American Pharoah mare has been excellent, winning at The Valley, only just missing in Group 3 company, while also not looking too out of her depth in last year’s VRC Oaks, albeit a bridge too far at that point of her career.

Her fresh performance of a year-long break was very impressive, and any improvement will see her right into the finish of this race.

Suggested Bet: No. 9 Foxy Cleopatra

Freeway Ford Shooting Stars (1500m) – 5:40pm AEDT

Jimmysstar has recorded two wins from as many starts back from a break and looks the one to beat again in the last on Cranbourne Cup Day.

Jimmysstar has made just the four career appearances at the races, but has won three of them in total, while he only just missed on debut as well.

This is another rise in class, but he’s open to further improvement, and it also looks to be the next logical point of call.

Suggested Bet: No. 5 Jimmysstar