Sydney Cup Fast Facts

SYDNEY CUP RE-RUN

3200m, $2 million, handicap at Randwick

HISTORY

* Sydney’s premier staying event first run in 1866 when won by Yattendon

* Honour roll includes: The Barb (1868-69), Carbine (1889-90), Wakeful (1902), Eurythmic (1921), Rogilla (1933), Sailor’s Guide (1956), Sharply (1961), Galilee (1967), Reckless (1977), Double Century (1979), Kingston Town (1980), Our Paddy Boy (1981), Tie The Knot (1998-99) and Makybe Diva (2004)

* The original Cup on April 8 was called off mid-race when Almoonqith fatally broke down and Who Shot Thebarman lost his rider

TALKING POINTS

* The Sydney Cup and the Melbourne Cup are now the only two races in Australia still run at Group One level over 3200 metres

* Chris Waller trained the quinella in 2015 when Grand Marshal tipped out Who Shot Thebarman. Waller has three runners this year, including Who Shot Thebarman

* English trainer Charlie Appleby from Godolphin has sent two stayers, Penglai Pavilion and Polarisation, from the northern hemisphere for the race

KEY COMMENTS

* “I feel the same as I did going into the original contest. If the ‘on his game’ Penglai Pavilion turns up, he has the class to go very close. Polarisation, on the other hand, wears his heart on his sleeve. He is tough and genuine, and he stays very well” – English trainer Charlie Appleby on Godolphin’s visitors

* “He’s come through the run wel. We’ve been really optimistic about getting him to two miles. He definitely hasn’t gone backwards since the first running of the race” – Local Godolphin trainer John O’Shea

* “We’ve just to make do with the card’s we’ve been dealt. We haven’t done a lot with the horse. He’s very fit and he doesn’t need a lot of work. It’s just about keeping him happy and fresh mentally. Hopefully we’ve been able to do that” – Chance To Dance’s co-trainer Jamie Richards

* Obviously I’ve had Group One rides but this is quite a prestigious Group One so I would say it would be the best opportunity that I’ve had in my career” – Boom Time’s jockey Cory Parish