The Brisbane Winter Racing Carnival kicks off this Saturday at Eagle Farm Racecourse, featuring the prestigious Group 1 Kingsford Smith Cup, a key lead-up to the Stradbroke Handicap. Joliestar, a four-year-old mare trained by Chris Waller, is the favorite for the $1 million race, aiming to become the first mare since Black Caviar in 2011 to win against male competitors. With a strong recent performance, including a second-place finish in the Group 1 All Aged Stakes, Joliestar is well-prepared despite a challenging draw in barrier 13.
Challenging Joliestar is Giga Kick, the former The Everest champion, who is looking to regain winning form after a close third in The Goodwood. He is currently priced at $4.80 and will be ridden by Mark Zahra from barrier 10. Another contender is Benedetta, priced at $7, who has a solid record at 1300m and is expected to perform well on firmer ground.
Other notable competitors include Kimochi and Private Eye, both priced at $10, as well as Bosustow at $11, who recently won the Group 3 Gold Coast Guineas. The Kingsford Smith Cup promises an exciting race with a mix of seasoned contenders and rising stars, adding intrigue to the event as it unfolds.
