Illuminated To Light Up Narrogin Cup

Posted on April 15, 2016April 15, 2016 | Posted by Julio Santarelli

Troy Turner is happy to concede Illuminated hot favouritism in the Narrogin Cup, but believes Ready To Fire is capable of causing a massive upset in the provincial feature.

Illuminated, a powerful member of the cerise and white army of owner-breeder, Bob Peters and trainer, Grant Williams, is a raging odds on favourite with punters.

The four-year-old was $2 when markets were released on Thursday, but has trimmed into $1.80 and is the only starter in the field of 12 that is at single figure odds.

The son of Medaglia D’Oro looks to have the class edge on his rivals and validated favouritism when he ran on hard for second behind Outlaw Pete last week.

Illuminated is in the safe hands of William Pike, who has ridden the gelding in all four of his career wins. The champion hoop is in search of his first Narrogin Cup.

Pike goes head-to-head with his partner, Jessica Valas, who has gone close to winning the Narrogin Cup on two previous occasions as a jockey and trainer.

In 2007 she rode runner-up Boppin The Blues and 12-months ago prepared Frangipani Monster who ran a long-head second to Dabang.

Valas and Frangipani Monster are back to have a another tilt at the Narrogin Cup and the mare should appreciate a drop in class after running fifth to Zarantz in the Pinjarra Cup.

Takahide Ikenushi, looking for his second Narrogin Cup success after combining with Sir Clase (2009), will ride, Frangipani Monster, rated a $17 chance with Tabtouch.

Ready To Fire, trained at Myalup by Justin Warwick, has won three races this campaign and shared the spoils with Present Arms when dead-heating at Ascot two starts back.

“Illuminated is definitely going to be hard to beat,” Turner said on TABradio.

“But my little filly if she gets the right run she is definitely going to be there.

“She is quite a tricky horse to ride but very honest.

“If I get the right run she should go well.”

Turner’s apprentice son, Jordan, is also in the mix with Jetting To London. The Jet Spur mare ran a sound second to the in-form Sasso’s Circus over the mile at Ascot on April 6.

The talented young rider is looking to become the first jockey since, Dion Luciani, (2006) to win back-to-back Narrogin Cups after combining with Dabang.

If successful he will join his father as a two-time Narrogin Cup winner after Troy piloted Iron Monger (2004) and Real Currency (2001).

Jetting To London is quoted at $12.

Warwick is sweating on a run for Let’s Go Lakers. The first emergency will be ridden by his daughter, Lucy, if he gains a start.