Racing.com’s Gaurav Khosla explains why your horse can or can’t win Monday’s Darwin Cup.
1. Noir De Rue
Why he can win: Beaten key rivals in both starts this prep and maps for a good run from the inside draw.
Why he can’t win: Best record is first-up. Will be regressing now.
2. Grandslam
Why he can win: Top hoop John Allen has flown in for the ride. Strips fitter and is suited up in trip.
Why he can’t win: Too bad to be true last start and he just has not been racing well of late.
3. Mohican Heights
Why he can win: Always improves with a run and should relish the step up in trip.
Why he can’t win: Well-beaten first-up and maps poorly from the wide gate.
4. Write Your Name
Why he can win: Finally draws a good barrier, strips fitter and is one from one at the trip.
Why he can’t win: Last prep he took a lot of runs to reach peak fitness, may need this as well.
5. Lake’s Folly
Why he can win: Dominant when stepping up in trip last start.
Why he can’t win: From the gate, likely to settle close to the rear and be spotting them a start. Harder here.
6 –Sanblas
Why he can win: Crying out for the step up in trip. Was excellent two starts ago.
Why he can’t win: Performs best third-up and was very poor as the odds-on favourite last start.
7. Desert Lass
Why she can win: Been very consistent this prep and seems to race best at the longer trips.
Why she can’t win: Struggled from the wide draw last start and with plenty of speed drawn inside, may get trapped wide again.
8. He’s The Ultimate
Why he can win: Ran an improved race to win dominantly last…