Tucanchoo’s 2016 Winter Cup odds have drifted this week, despite the talented six-year-old having produced a typically smart performance at black type level only one week ago.
Tucanchoo is on the drift in Winter Cup betting markets. Photo: Adrienne Bicknell
Tucanchoo has been a strong performer for Team Hawkes through his entire nineteen start career to date, but has undoubtedly returned to competition in career-best condition this time in.
Returning for a freshen-up after taking out a Warwick Farm minor over 2200m by four lengths on March 2nd, the Pentire gelding repeated the dose in the Ladbrokes BM84 (1600m) at Sandown upon resuming on May 11th.
Continuing his winning run of form through the Colin Gray BM84 (2000m) at Randwick on June 11th, Tuchanchoo produced an impressive effort to finish a close second to Index Linked in the Group 3 Tattersall’s Cup (2400m) at Eagle Farm this weekend.
Tucanchoo remains sole occupant of the top line of Winter Cup betting markets despite his drift to a quote of $2.35, and should prove extremely tough to beat with only 54kgs in tow.
Loophole has interestingly been one of the few runners that has firmed in Winter Cup betting markets, despite having not won a race since January.
Loophole has made a total of forty-nine appearances at the races since debuting in 2012, but the Winter Cup will figure as only the third occasion the horse has lined up for a black type race.
Placing fifth in the Listed Parramatta Cup (1900m) and eighth in the Listed Canberra Cup (2000m) through February and March, the Lonhro gelding returned from a brief spell for sixth in the Neville Begg BM93 (1400m) on May 21st.
Placing third in the Thomson Reuters Tax Handicap (1800m) on June 4th, Loophole ran on well for third in the Kensei Handicap (2000m) at Rosehill a fortnight ago and is sure to have taken plenty of benefit from the run.
Veteran stayer Junoob has been charged with carrying a race-high 61kgs; giving 5kgs to closest rival Foreign Prince, however the gelding’s class is sure to count for a lot amongst the small Winter Cup field.
The Haafhd gelding has been reasonably inconsistent this time, but savaged the line for third in the Group 2 Brisbane Cup (2400m) on June 11th and should prove tough to beat this weekend, should he bring that form to Rosehill.
Junoob has so-far cut as short a $6, but currently registers as a $7.50 chance in Winter Cup betting markets with Ladbrokes Australia.
