- 4yo gelding (Great Britain)
- Jockey: Craig Williams
- Trainer: Joseph O’Brien
James J Braddock runs in the Cup at only his eighth career appearance. (PA Images via Getty Images: Damien Eagers)
Named after the world heavyweight boxing champion of the 1930s (and inspiration for the Russell Crowe movie Cinderella Man), plenty of punters feel James J Braddock and jockey Craig Williams can deliver a knockout blow on Tuesday.
A third in the English Derby (2,420m) reflected trainer Joseph O’Brien’s high opinion of James J Braddock, but he then disappointed when a distanced sixth in the Irish Derby (2,414m).
His latest performance showed a glimpse that he might appreciate the 3,200 metres, staying on strongly before not seeing much room in the closing stages of the Kilternan Stakes (2,414m) in Ireland.
The formula of bringing well-performed Northern Hemisphere three-year-olds to Australia for the Cup has proven successful, evidenced by the likes of Rekindling (1st, 2017), Cross Counter (1st, 2018), Il Paradiso (3rd, 2019) and Tiger Moth (2nd, 2020).
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