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Sydney Cup 2026 Betting Tips - Can Mr Monaco Complete a Hat-Trick?
The 2026 Sydney Cup at Royal Randwick features a competitive field in this prestigious 3200m staying race. Mr Monaco, leading the market at $5.50, is a top contender trained by Ciaron Maher. His recent strong performances in Australian races position him as a formidable force. Machine Gun Gracie is another strong challenger, targeting a sharp distance rise to 3200m. Chris Waller's Valiant King presents as a potential surprise, with past performances indicating he could deliver another upset. This race is a highlight of the Australian racing calendar, promising exciting competition.
- The 2026 Sydney Cup showcases top stayers over 3200m at Royal Randwick
- Mr Monaco, trained by Ciaron Maher, heads a competitive market
- Chris Waller's Valiant King offers value, showing potential for another upset
Expired
Machine Gun Gracie winning the Epona Stakes on March 21. (Getty)
The Sydney Cup shapes as the ultimate staying test on Day Two of The Championships at Royal Randwick, with a capacity field set to line up over 3200m.
Elevated to Group 1 status in 1980 when won by champion Kingston Town, the race has grown in both prestige and significance as one of Australia’s premier staying features.
Mr Monaco heads the market for the 2026 edition, with $5.50 his quote via NextBet.
2026 Sydney Cup Tips
2026 Sydney Cup Best Bet - Mr Monaco
Ciaron Maher has trained three of the last six Sydney Cup winners and will have multiple runners again in the 2026 edition, with Mr Monaco looking his leading chance.
The import has built a very solid record with five wins from 15 starts, including three of his last four in Australia.
His spring culminated with a BM84 victory at Caulfield in October.
He has returned a more furnished galloper this campaign, backing up a solid return over 1600m, which was on the sharp side.
Mr Monaco has won both Sydney runs leading into this, including a 2000m victory and a Group 3 Manion Cup win last start, where he covered ground throughout and still proved too strong.
2026 Sydney Cup Next Best Bet - Machine Gun Gracie
An interesting runner is Machine Gun Gracie, now at her third start for the Hayes yard.
She broke through comfortably second-up when successful in the Epona Stakes on Golden Slipper Day.
This is a sharp rise in trip, going straight to 3200m third-up.
However, it appears to have been a target, given there were plenty of other options if there were any queries at the distance.
The WATC Derby and WA Oaks winner of last year carries 7kg less from that March 21 success and could be the runner in the field with the most upside.
2026 Sydney Cup Value Bet - Valiant King
It is worth noting that Chris Waller’s five previous winners of this staying feature have all been at big prices.
The shortest of those winners was $13.
One of his rougher chances this year is Valiant King, a galloper we know can produce a run at a price.
That was evident with his Group 3 Bart Cummings victory in the spring when specked from $101 into $61, before following it with a Caulfield Cup third.
His last start in the Tancred Stakes was plain, but his effort behind Vauban in the Sky High Stakes suggested he is going better than his form reads, and back on firmer ground is a positive.
2026 Sydney Cup - Field & Odds
| No. | Horse | Trainer | Jockey | Barrier | Weight | Odds |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | River Of Stars (IRE) | Chris Waller | James McDonald | 6 | 56.5kg | $8.50 |
| 2 | Campaldino (NZ) | Gai Waterhouse & Adrian Bott | Tim Clark | 14 | 53kg | $7 |
| 3 | Changingoftheguard (IRE) | Kris Lees | Jason Collett | 3 | 55.5kg | $71 |
| 4 | Soul Of Spain (IRE) | Chris Waller | Tommy Berry | 12 | 54.5kg | $9.50 |
| 5 | Whisky On The Hill (GB) | Glen Thompson | Damian Lane | 15 | 54.5kg | $16 |
| 6 | Valiant King (GB) | Chris Waller | Jye McNeil | 11 | 54.5kg | $34 |
| 7 | Paradise Storm (FR) | Henry Dwyer | John Allen | 4 | 51kg | $16 |
| 8 | Piggyback | Ciaron Maher | Zac Lloyd | 8 | 53kg | $19 |
| 9 | Athabascan (FR) | Tom Charlton | Tom Sherry | 5 | 53kg | $51 |
| 10 | Juja Kibo (IRE) | Ciaron Maher | Craig Williams | 10 | 52kg | $12 |
| 11 | Mr Monaco (GB) | Ciaron Maher | Jamie Melham | 16 | 51kg | $5.50 |
| 12 | Machine Gun Gracie | Ben, Will & JD Hayes | Luke Cartwright (a) | 9 | 51kg | $9.50 |
| 13 | Newlook (FR) | Trent Busuttin & Natalie Young | Rachel King | 1 | 51kg | $9 |
| 14 | Litzdeel | Danny O’Brien | Tyler Schiller | 7 | 51kg | $13 |
| 15 | Highland Bling (IRE) | Phillip Stokes | Ben Thompson | 2 | 51kg | $15 |
| 16 | Hutchence (GB) | Chris Waller | Alysha Collett | 13 | 51kg | $151 |
Odds provided by NextBet & correct on 09/04/2026.
Verdict
Our tips for the 2026 Sydney Cup are:
Mr Monaco
To Win
$5.50 - 3 Units
Challenger 'NextBet' is here
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Machine Gun Gracie
Each Way
$9.50 - 3 Units
Challenger 'NextBet' is here
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18+. T&Cs apply
Valiant King
Each Way
$34.00 - 1 Unit
Challenger 'NextBet' is here
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