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Comments by the Racing NSW Handicapping Panel following the release of weights for the 157th running of the $2 million Schweppes Sydney Cup (3200m) on Saturday, 9th April 2022.

A total of 84 nominations have been weighted for the 157th 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, 9th April 2022.

Verry Elleegant and James McDonald land the major prize at Royal Randwick. Image by Bradley Photographers

This year’s topweight with 60.0kg on a 50.0kg limit (49.0kg for 3yos) is the reigning 2021 Group 1 Melbourne Cup (3200m) winner Verry Elleegant (NZ).

During her preparation in the spring of 2021, she also added the Group 1 George Main Stakes (1600m) taking her total Group 1 wins to ten.

Prior to winning the Melbourne Cup she finished a close 3rd in the Group 1 Cox Plate (2040m) behind State Of Rest (Ire).

Next in the weights is Spanish Mission (USA) with 58.0kg. This nomination is the very exciting former international who ran 3rd in the 2021 Melbourne Cup beaten 4.4L behind Verry Elleegant (NZ), carrying the same weight of 57.0kg.

Therefore, the allotted weight represents a 2kg turnaround on this performance. Most recently, Spanish Mission (USA) returned in great order running a very close 3rd beaten only 0.3L in the Group 3 Carlyon Cup (1600m), which would be considered a distance well below his optimum.

The nominations this year include Selino (GB), the winner of the 2021 edition of the Sydney Cup when beating Rondinella (NZ) by 1.3L carrying the limit weight of 50.0kg.

This year Selino (GB) has been allotted 53.0kg which equals a 3kg increase, with his best performance since the win being a 4th beaten 2L in the Group 3 Bart Cummings (2520m) carrying 58.0kg.

The 2021 Group 1 Metropolitan Handicap (2400m) is also very heavily represented in the nominations with the top 2 finishers – 1st - Montefilia and 2nd – Entente both included.

After running in the Metropolitan, Montefilia only had one more start running a gallant 4th in the Group 1 Caulfield Cup (2400m), while Entente run 3rd beaten just over 1.0L in the St Leger (2600m) at Royal Randwick.

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.

Her 2021 spring campaign included wins in both the Group 2 Tristarc Stakes (1400m) and the Group 1 Empire Rose (1600m).

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