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Comments by the Racing NSW Handicapping Panel following the release of weights for the 156th running of the $2 million Schweppes Sydney Cup (3200m) on Saturday, 10th April 2021.

A total of 105 nominations have been weighted for the 156th running of the $2,000,000 Schweppes Sydney Cup (Group 1) to be staged at Royal Randwick (Day 2 of The Star Championships) on Saturday, 10th April 2021.

This year’s topweight with 58.5kg on a 50.0kg limit (49.0kg for 3yos) is the reigning 2020 Group 1 Caulfield Cup (2400m) winner Verry Elleegant (NZ).

During that preparation in the spring of 2020 she also added the Group 1 Winx Stakes (1400m) and the Group 1 Turnbull Stakes (2000m), taking her total Group 1 wins to six. She finished the outstanding preparation with a 7th beaten only 3.85 lengths in the Group 1 Melbourne Cup (3200m) behind Twilight Payment (Ire).

Next in the weights is Sir Dragonet (Ire) with 57.5kg. This nomination is the very exciting former international who most recently won the 2020 Group 1 Cox Plate (2040m) and only a week later went on to run 6th beaten 3.45 lengths in Melbourne Cup, finishing just in front of Verry Elleegant (NZ).

The Chosen One (Kerrin McEvoy; pink cap) finishes second to Etah James in last year's Schweppes Sydney Cup at Royal Randwick. Image by Bradley Photographers

The nominations this year include six of the top seven finishers from the 2020 edition of the Sydney Cup, including The Chosen One (NZ) a narrowly beaten 2nd by a long head carrying 53.5kg on a 51.0kg base.

This year he has been allotted 56kg after several outstanding performances which includes a 3rd, beaten 1 length, in the 2020 Caulfield Cup and a 4th, beaten 2.35 lengths, in the 2020 Melbourne Cup.

The 2020 Group 1 Metropolitan Handicap (2400m) is also very heavily represented in the nominations with 12 of the 18 starters and includes the top three finishers – 1st Mirage Dancer (GB), 2nd Mugatoo (Ire) and 3rd Angel of Truth.

Mirage Dancer has been allotted 56.0kg while Mugatoo has received 56.5kg and therefore represents a 1kg weight turnaround for a beaten margin of only a long head by Mirage Dancer.

The only 3yo in the field is the Danny O’Brien-trained Young Werther (NZ) who will carry the minimum for a 3yo of 49.0kg after running 3rd in the 2020 Group 1 Victoria Derby (2500m), beaten 1.2 lengths by Johnny Get Angry (NZ).

The second-highest weighted mare in the race is Colette with 55.0kg. She is the winner of the 2020 Group 1 ATC Oaks (2400m) as well as the 2nd edition of the $7.5 million Golden Eagle (1500m) at Rosehill.

She has returned in brilliant fashion by winning the 2021 Group 2 Apollo Stakes (1400m) by 2.0 lengths at Randwick only two weeks ago.

Click here to view the full weights for the $2m Schweppes Sydney Cup