11/04/2026
Listen up punters. Graeme White’s delivered his take on TODAY’s Gundagai Cup ⬇️👀
It will be a tougher assignment in the eyes of trainer Ben Brisbourne for Star Buyer to win the TAB Gundagai Cup on Sunday, but not beyond him.
Brisbourne will also start Sea Strike who fought on tenaciously to win his latest start at Wagga and he is also primed for a strong showing in the feature race over 1800 metres.
The top weight Belleistic Kids is in peak form and is well placed to win his first race this preparation after being close up in the Albury Mile and also last start when placed at Canberra over 1600 metres.
Belleistic Kids has raced three times over 1800 metres for two placings and will jump from the inside barrier for jockey Jean Van Overmeire.
Star Buyer finished well behind Belleistic Kids in the Albury Mile when 13th but before that captured the Towong Cup over Sir Davy whom he again meets on Sunday. The seven-year-old has raced once since running third in a six-horse field in the Kerang Cuo.
Brisbourne said Sunday’s edition is superior to last year, but Star Buyer is in similar form.
“He ran a gallant third last Saturday after winning the Towong Cup en route to this race,” he said. “All indications are he will back-up well how he has bene this week."
Sea Strike, who was aided by a well-judged ride by jockey Shaun Guymer last time, has won two of his past three starts. The five-year-old is rising through the grades with five wins from 17 starts and Brisbourne is keen to see how he shapes up.
“He has been a fun horse for his owners. He didn’t have much luck in the Wangaratta Cup and then won well at Wagga when the others got to him and he kicked again,” he said. “He is a big horse who needs a bit of room so I’m not sure if Gundagai will suit him."
“I like to target this race each year and the betting market respects their chances.”
Gundagai race caller James Tait will have his eyes right across the cup, but in particular Kingston Charm which he part owns.
Kingston Charm is the $4.60 favourite on the NSW TAB ahead of Belleistic Kids ($5), Miss Stalwart ($5), Star Buyer ($6) and Sea Strike ($6). Count Kilkenny could easily win after three starts back from a spell will have him at peak race fitness. He finished fifth in the Albury Milke ahead of some of his rivals.
Meanwhile, Wagga trainer Maddison Collins already has a Gundagai Cup in her keeping courtesy of roughie The Doctor’s Son and in a chance of securing another with Future Fund.
The Doctor’s Son secured the cup in 2023 with Collins’ partner Josh Richards aboard.
On Sunday, jockey Richard Bensley has the task on Future Fund with Richards sidelined with a dislocated shoulder for several weeks.
“The step up in distance will suit as will the track and light weight. He was competitive at Albury finishing less than four lengths from the winner” she said. “A bit of give in the track will also suit."
Future Fund also finished ahead of Star Buyer on that occasion, but this time it’s a different race on a different track.
