Expert form analyst Mark Hunter has taken a look at the Group 1 Australian Cup (2000m) at Flemington on Saturday.

He has broken down each horse in that race, runner by runner.

Australian Cup

Hunter believes that the in-form Birdman is in the zone right now, making him the clear horse to beat in the $2 million Group 1!

“I think Birdman's the one to beat,” Hunter started.

“I just think this horse has come back in absolutely career best, outstanding form.

“He's been beautifully ridden by Ben Melham in his last two.

“I think the way Pride Of Jenni sets races up, you've got to ride horses back in the field and get them in the right spot.

“Benny rode Cascadian a couple of years ago and just rode it perfectly to run down Jenni on the line.

“So, he'll tuck Birdman away midfield, he won't do the dog work chasing, he'll be the one coming out of the pack at the 300m mark.

“I just think the horse is in the zone.

“It's run on heavy and run ok a couple of times. I guess if (the track) got to heavy, that's still some query.

“But I think the way Birdman's going, it's the one to beat.”

Hunter also provided a YES or NO rating for each horse in the sprint.

See his assessment below:

YES or NO

1 - Tom Kitten: “Yes.”

2 – Light Infantry Man: “No.”

3 - Apulia: “Yes.”

4 - Just Fine: "No."

5 - Birdman: “Yes.”

6 – Sabaj: “Yes.”

7 – Mark Twain: “Yes.”

8 – Pride Of Jenni: “I'm going to go no.”

9 – Damask Rose: “No.”

10 – Leica Lucy: “Yes.”

11 – Basilinna: “No.”

12 – Philia: “It's going very well but not here.”

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