Aside from two withdrawals after last Saturday's wash-out, not a lot has changed around the shape of the Group 1 Kingsford Smith Cup over 1300m this Saturday.

Make no mistake, Saturday’s Group 1 Kingsford Smith Cup (1300m) is the perfect curtain-raiser to the Stradbroke Handicap.

This year's edition features a fascinating mix of battle-hardened stars, progressive four-year-olds peaking in their careers, and even a lone three-year-old with plenty of upside.

But the real challenge? A serious lack of natural speed, setting the stage for a tactical affair at Eagle Farm.

The bigger and wider track layout will give backmarkers a chance to launch late.

It’s a wide-open Group 1 with potential for a false favourite, making it an enticing betting race.

We are down to a field of 11, with Private Eye and Bosustow, who ran at Doomben on Wednesday, being taken out.

You can get my full set of tips for racing this Saturday via the link below.

Neil Evans' streak continues! His $8.50 each-way play finished 2nd in the Doomben Cup.

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Neil Evans’ 2025 Kingsford Smith Cup Preview & Best Bets

Track Conditions

The Soft 5 rating through Thursday into Friday may even get close to Good 4 by the jump, with clear skies ahead.

Speed Map Overview

Victorian raider Rise At Dawn should grab a comfortable lead.

Sitting just off him is Kimochi from a low draw, along with Zarastro, who draws wider, with Libertad and Rothfire just behind.

That leaves Golden Mile, early favourite Joliestar, and Benedetta around midfield ahead of Giga Kick who tracks them all the way.

Giga Kick Tipped Horse

The Favourite – Joliestar $2.60

The "Take Two" assignment has been made a touch easier for Joliestar, but for me the early $2.60 is still too short.

There’s no doubting her class, but early markets have Joliestar well under the odds.

She’s been freshened since her Group 1 Newmarket win, but that was a soft edition of the race.

With seven weeks between runs and a wide draw, she’s a vulnerable favourite.

Overexposed at short quotes, she’s yet to fully convince as a dominant weight-for-age performer.

Neil’s Best Bet – Giga Kick $4.25

Back on track and perfectly placed second-up, Giga Kick is ready to remind punters of his class.

His run in the Group 1 Goodwood was full of merit, hitting the line well after enduring a tough wide run in transit.

He finished just over a length from the winner, who had a much softer run.

Now fitter, better drawn, and suited to the spacious Eagle Farm track, he gets the setup to finish powerfully.

At $4.25, he’s excellent value in a race lacking tempo, especially under weight-for-age conditions.

The Dangers

Benedetta ($7.50) – Had little luck in the Doomben 10,000, blocked at the worst possible time, but still closed off well. Steps up to 1300m, which suits.
Rothfire ($18.00) – Was gallant when second-up, and over the odds here.
Joliestar ($2.60) – Still has to be respected on class, but under the odds from the gate.

Benedetta Tipped Horse

Neil’s Top 4 Selections – Kingsford Smith Cup

Giga Kick (Best Bet)
Benedetta
Joliestar
Rothfire

For thousands more tips including free selections for today's racing, head to Australia's best racing tips market at thegreattipoff.com.

Neil Evans

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