Races

Runner by Runner: Perth Cup

Posted on | Posted by Scott Embry

1. Trap For Fools (58kg)

Trainer: Grant & Alana Williams

Jockey: Brad Rawriller

Barrier: 7

9-year-old veteran who looks to be on his final John Farnham style farewell tour. Has been a wonderful old war horse for Geoff Evans’ Distinct Racing and Breeding operation as the winner of over $2 million over a career that has spanned over 6.5 years since making his debut as a 2 year old in 2016. Amazing to think he won a Kalgoorlie maiden over 1760m and went on to win a Group One Mackinnon at Flemington after finishing only 2L off Winx in a Turnbull Stakes. He’s tough and he’s brave but he looks like he’s had enough. Seems like they are going to try and sit him just off the speed to see whether a change in pattern can see him turn back the clock.

2. Buster Bash (56kg)

Trainer: David Harrison

Jockey: Shaun McGruddy

Barrier: 5

Burst into Perth Cup calculations with an emphatic 3L win in the GA Towton Cup over 2200m at Listed level with 56.5kg. In that race he beat home rivals Cockney Crew, Neufbosc, Alaskan God, Utgard Loki, Pure Devotion, Come Right Back, Stafford’s Lad and Trap For Fools. It was his first victory past 1800m and the way he settled one out, one back and tracked into the race before showing a distinct turn of acceleration was a clear career PB. He races on speed, he stays out of trouble and he’s clearly one of the horses to beat. Most impressive part about his Towton Cup victory was that he ran the fastest L600 of the race. Shaun McGruddy an ideal riding replacement rider for a first four in running type.

3. Alaskan God (53kg)

Trainer: Daniel Morton

Jockey: Patrick Moloney

Barrier: 12

Will likely have an equal number of followers to knockers. Brilliant 3 year old who went from a 1400m Pinjarra maiden win in February to a Melvista Stakes – WATC Derby double in March/April to cap off an undefeated preparation. Resumed as a 4 year old in the Group 3 Asian Beau when rattling home in the fastest closing sections of the entire meeting, announcing himself as a genuine Railway Stakes, Northerly Stakes contender. Hasn’t quite raced with that same level of spark or brilliance since and finished midfield in both Group One features. Went into the GA Towton Cup as hot favourite ($1.85) and parked last in running before leaving himself too much to do late. Sectionally he still ran the fastest L1200, 1000, 800, 400 & 200m splits of the race and is racing like he’s looking for 2400m. Patrick Maloney coming back to Perth again suggests he felt very good on New Year’s Day.

4. Bad Wolf (53kg)

Trainer: Ashley Maley

Jockey: Natasha Faithfull

Barrier: 14

Went around in the 2021 Perth Cup from barrier 2 with 53kg as a 60-1 chance and finished ninth beaten 3.7L. In that preparation he finished second in the Ascot Gold Cup (now Luckygray Stakes) at 1800m, second in the Tattersalls Cup (now AJ Scahill Cup) and seventh in the Towton Cup. This preparation he has followed a slightly different pathway finishing second in the Luckygray Stakes before dropping back to 1400m of the Carbine Club and attacking the Perth Cup through the WFA features: Northerly Stakes & Van Heemst Stakes. He’s not a WFA horse so back into a Handicap helps. Jury out on whether he genuinely stays.

5. Cockney Crew (53kg)

Trainer: Lou Luciani

Jockey: Troy Turner

Barrier: 6

Went around in the ATA Stakes on Saturday when well supported in betting at an eachway quote. Found the front in his customary role as pace-maker but was unable to sneak away from them at any stage and turn it into a real staying test. His biggest asset seems to be his ability to fight and find under pressure off the back of a hot tempo. Interesting to see whether Troy Turner adopts the tactics of Peter Hall from the 2019 WATC Derby when he broke them open and went down to Regal Power in the final stride.

6. Come Right Back (53kg)

Trainer: Adam Durrant

Jockey: Patrick Carbery

Barrier: 18

Real tradesmen style of stayer who looks as though he’ll relish a grinding 2400. Drew barrier 10 of 10 last Saturday in the ATA Stakes and was forced to march three and four deep throughout. Breaking down the sections he did a great job to stick on because while it looked to the eye as though the race was run in a stop/start manner they actually marched along throughout: first 1600m = 4.5L faster than average & last 600 = 4.5L faster than average. Unfortunately, barrier all but ends his chances.

7. Dom To Shoot (53kg)

Trainer: Sean & Jake Casey

Jockey: Jordan Turner

Barrier: 11

Still awaiting final confirmation on whether or not Dom To Shoot will take his place in the Cup on Saturday and will need a new rider in Jordan Turner’s absence, however, if he was to start his recent form suggests he can measure up and he was one of the big market movers on New Year’s Day. Only finished 3L off Amelia’s Jewel in the Northerly Stakes and ran right through the line. Went onto the Van Heemst Stakes when finishing 5.4L off Marocchino in fourth placing. That was only his first attempt at 2100m and he recorded that fastest L1200, 1000, 800, 400 & 200, and clearly the fastest L200 split of the race suggesting that he may well be ready to run the trip. His Van Heemst run was a very nice Perth Cup trial.

8. Holy Enchantment (53kg)

Trainer: Stephen Miller

Jockey: Steven Parnham

Barrier: 9

Ran his best race of his preparation last start in the 66+ ratings race on Van Heemst Stakes Day behind Queen Alina when finishing third beaten 1.8L. Had she been still in the race would have met Queen Alina 5kg better at the weights from that encounter and she was around $10 in betting when scratched on New Year’s Eve. Has always been touted by SJ Miller as being at Perth Cup level but going off his recent runs it might be a year too soon for him. Still has plenty of room to work his way through the grades and pinch a country Cup here and there.

9. Neufbosc (53kg)

Trainer: Neville Parnham

Jockey: Brad Parnham

Barrier: 13

Won the 2020 ATA Stakes and then backed up off 7 days to beat Truly Great in the 2021 Perth Cup. Two years later and he looks to be timing his run to perfection. Was exposed at the 600 when flushed out three deep by Utgard Loki & Come Right Back and under the 59kg was forced to sweep past the leaders and go for home on straightening. Finished third beaten under half a length and received no Perth Cup weight penalty meaning that he sneaks in perfectly on the 53kg minimum and meets Truly Inspired 5kg and Utgard Loki 2kg better at the weights for small margins as well as all those behind him (Come Right Back, Pure Devotion, Stafford’s Lad & Cockney Crew) better for beating them home. Needs a big race ride from the current WA Jockey’s Premiership leader.

10. Platoon (53kg)

Trainer: Neville Parnham

Jockey: Laqdar Ramoly

Barrier: 1

Started this preparation as a m95 rater but has slid quickly down to m90 due to a string of uncompetitive efforts. Has had two staying runs this preparation (AJ Scahill & Van Heemst) and has been beaten a combined 21.1L. Cuts all the corners from the inside alley and looks like positioning up closer but the way he’s racing you’d be shocked if he was to figure in the finish. A shadow of his former self at the minute and could be one of his final preparations if he again doesn’t show up.

11. Pure Devotion (53kg)

Trainer: Adam Durrant

Jockey: Clint Johnston-Porter

Barrier: 3

Teasing kind of mare who endured another hard luck story on the weekend in the ATA Stakes. Held up for the majority of the home straight in the Luckygray Stakes before flashing home and getting punters excited going into the AJ Scahill Cup. Pure Devotion turned to Pure Deflation soon after as she was left flat footed at the 800 and only plugged to the line into sixth. Ran a similar race behind Buster Bash & Co in the GA Towtown Cup before behind held up the entire length of the straight again the ATA Stakes. Looked like she had plenty to offer and for her tucked away saving all her pennies in the run is the perfect barrier draw. Will need late splits but all of a sudden Clint Johnston-Porter is back doing what he does best – finding runs that remind us of one W.Pike.

12. Stafford’s Lad (53kg)

Trainer: Daniel Morton

Jockey: Chris Parnham

Barrier: 2

Has been a remarkable story to follow since winning the Kimberley Cup in 2021 in Broome. Finished second in the 2021 Kalgoorlie Cup, won the 2021 ATA Stakes, won the 2022 Boulder Cup/Kalgoorlie Cup double and now attacks his second Perth Cup. His runs after the traditional, annual Kalgoorlie Race Round in the Luckygray (1800), Scahill (2100), Towton (2200) and ATA (2200) have left a fair bit to be desired. He’ll run out the 2400m no worries, it’s just whether he’s going to be able to get out and moving at the right time. Never got clear in the ATA Stakes when he needed to and he maps to get a very similar run in transit here. Watching to see whether Chris Parnham tries to get him off the fence at some stage down the back straight.

13. Truly Uninspired (53kg)

Trainer: Adam Durrant

Jockey: Fred Kersley

Barrier: 10

Only 67 days before the second running of the 2023 Perth Cup Truly Inspired won a Class 1 1800m midweeker at Ascot beating Weightman (1 from 12), Vevinsky (2 from 18), Idle Star (1 from 12), Pasaran (1 from 22), Man From Memphis (1 from 32), God’s Dream (1 from 22), Glenburn Hotel (1 from 30), The Bartender (1 from 12) and My Boy Chris (1 from 13). Fair to say he’s come a long way in a short period of time since demolishing very limited opposition on 9 November. Bob Peters and Truly Inspired had to burn 16 points by winning the ATA Stakes to guarantee a spot in the Cup. He’s not at the same level as his full brother Truly Great but he’s an exciting and emerging stayer. Big opportunity for Freddie Kersley to return to WA and ride the horse who likely jumps favourite.

14. Utgard Loki (53kg)

Trainer: Adam Durrant

Jockey: Holly Watson

Barrier: 14

Has been slowly but surely building towards another tilt at the Perth Cup. Has been thereabouts in the WA Staying ranks for the past couple of years since heading across to Adam Durrant from Justin Warwick’s yard and the one consistent element to his racing has been that when he can draw a gate and be positioned to track the right horse in running, he’s invariably in the finish at an eachway quote. Unfortunately, he’s drawn barrier 14 and loses regular rider and highly touted staying hoop Lucy Warwick to suspension. Does it very tough in all likelihood.

15. Brother Paddy (53kg)

Trainer: Coreen Maynard

Jockey: Chris Nicoll

Barrier: 16

Has been thrown in the deep end on a few occasions by trainer Coreen Maynard over recent season and has typically measured up at big prices: split Prince Turbo and Marocchino in an 84+ 2200 (then Eurythmic Stakes) at Ascot in May 2022 as a m69 rater, split No Apology and Tellem We’re Comin in the 2022 Coolgardie Cup, beating Stafford’s Lad by 3L as a m72 rater and even held his own when sixth at WFA in the Van Heemst Stakes at 100-1. Kind of horse they can have plenty of fun with in the Country Cups: Albany, Esperance, Geraldton, Pinjarra, Bunbury etc. Tries hard but ultimately outclassed.

16. Mystery Island (53kg)

Trainer: Donna Riordan

Jockey: Beau Mertens

Barrier: 15

Comes into genuine Perth Cup calculations after his impressive ratings victory on New Year’s Day when bursting through late to score by over a length. Was still a long way off them and in heavy traffic at the 250m but once he saw daylight, he really savaged the line. Lindsey Smith’s Perth operation closes, and so he races in the name of Donna Riordan and has the services of travelling hoop Beau Mertens. William Pike oozed confidence post-race that he would run out a strong 2400m and he’s had a 950m trial at Lark Hill on Monday to keep him ticking over. Has a right place right time feel about him.

SELECTION: NEUFBOSC

If emergencies #3 and #4 are not required, then he will jump from barrier 11. He will still need a peach from the awkward gate but at the same time he is drawn out there with fellow fancies Truly Inspired, Alaskan God and Mystery Island so there’s a few options for Brad Parnham target as a horse to follow in the race. Drops 6kg from the ATA Stakes into the Perth Cup and provided he can find a back to follow three deep with cover he should be in the finish at an eachway price.

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