The opening night of the Sportsbet Australian Cup Carnival was red hot, with the highest standard of racing on the big stage at The Meadows.

While Mav Reiko took time honours across the Cup heats, there’s plenty more to break down and highlight courtesy of Race Data as the story moves on to this Saturday night’s card – fields out on Wednesday afternoon.

Due to technical issues Race Data was not available for Races 1 and 6

Mav Reiko’s mid-race power was unrivaled
The fastest dog of the night between 100-300m, by a mile. The story of his race was an early opportunity. He got stacks of room to work with, but his time through those early sections were only just above average, then he let loose.

What does it mean?
Box draw and speed map is absolutely crucial in his semi-final. In a field with intense early pressure, it won’t be good for him.

Mav Reiko (3) goes bananas mid-race and defeats Lakeview Lynette (4) and Vista Weird (1)

Consigliere had the thunder taken from him
With Dramatical’s win then Mav Reiko’s, we quickly moved on from the run of Consigliere. It was as good as Mav Reiko’s, as Consigliere’s performance a bit more rounded – more early speed and slightly more strength compared to the mid-race weaponry of Mav Reiko.

What does it mean?
It was a career best performance at start 17. He’s oozed promise for a long time and going forward we should expect performances like this more often. We assess him with more confidence in this week’s semis.

Consigliere (6) dominates, Cleo’s Star (1) and Slick Badger (3) also progressed

Canya Mayhem let an opportunity slip
He didn’t feature in the top 10 of any metric up to 100m. Going back through his Melbourne Cup and Phoenix numbers, his weapon of choice in those races was the first 20m, not so much the acceleration phase of 20-50m. Given his draw from the gods in the Temlee it was a chance that got away.

What does it mean?
To be honest, not much. It’s the reality of very fine margins deciding results in hand-picked Group 1s and having Australia’s most powerful sprinter on his hammer, Mepunga Reward. His run was still great and we look at him no differently going into the semi-finals.

Mepunga Reward (2) spreads his wings reeling in Canya Mayhem (1) and Dashing Slay (7)

Dear Carla Lou was prepared to begin well, and she did.
Fastest time to the 20m (with My Boy Bingo) and 50m marks. Though had only the 10th fastest time at 300m. Her run home of 12.15 was a shade below the meeting average, but Kayla Cottrell said post-race that Dear Carla Lou will be fitter for the run.

What does it mean?
She’s beginning extremely well and could finish her race with more strength this week given it was her first run over this distance since November.

Dear Carla Lou (6) explodes then holds off West On Sidney (7)

While we’re on that Dear Carla Lou race, beware of the WA star – West On Sidney
His draw was awful on Saturday but his run was great. He had an average distance to rail of 1.35m which is quite high, but circumstances of the race forced that. He railed hard when he got the chance late. His run home and last 100m was very good.

What does it mean?
His lack of early speed doesn’t change but an inside draw in a semi-final could have him settling closer and doing more damage late in the race.

West On Sidney (7) works hard early, finds the rail late and hits the line hard

Irish Bill is absolutely flying – Rookie Rebel?
We knew this already but here’s further proof. He ran 4th but produced the fastest run home and last 100m of the meeting, better than Mepunga Reward…

What does it mean?
Nothing yet in terms of a semi-final, as he’ll be a reserve. But, is stepping up to 600m an option? Does the Rookie Rebel Prelude this Saturday not come at a great time? Why not.

Irish Bill (7) rattles home in the heat won by Consigliere (6)

Night 2 of the Sportsbet Australian Cup Carnival this Saturday night will be headlined by four semi-finals of the Sportsbet Australian Cup, heats of the Fanta Bale for the stayers and a Rookie Rebel Prelude (600m), ahead of the hand-picked Group 1 the following week on Sportsbet Australian Cup night.

Fields will be out on Wednesday afternoon.

Again, coverage will be in-depth on the night with Nathan Rooney, Michael Tye, Jess Hopkins and myself. Tune in via the Watchdog App or Sky Racing Active.

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