The last Saturday of the 2016 Ascot Racing Carnival features the most iconic event on the West Australian racing calendar – the $500,000 Group Two TABtouch-Perth Cup (2400m).
A field of 15 stayers will contest the mile-and-a-half contest with the winner to become $300,000 richer.
The staying classic is set to jump at 5:00pm (AWST) and is the eighth race on the nine-event program at Ascot Racecourse.
Let’s take a closer look at each runner:
1. PERFECT REFLECTION
TABtouch Fixed Odds opening price: $4.80
The champion mare awaits her chance at immortality in the Perth Cup. Already a Group One winner at weight-for-age level, the daughter of More Than Ready will have to replicate ex-stablemate Delicacy’s deeds from earlier this year when she carried 59kg to win the most recent edition of the great staying feature. Her form leading up to this 2400m classic has been exemplary. She won the G2 Lee Steere Stakes (1400m), ran third in both the G1 Railway Stakes (1600m) and G1 Kingston Town Classic (1800m) and most recently won the G2 Ted van Heemst Stakes (2100m). She is carrying 59kg for those reasons mentioned and has to be respected, especially considering William Pike has elected to ride her over Dark Alert, Neverland and Star Exhibit, but 59kg is a tall order.
2. IHTSAHYMN
TABtouch Fixed Odds opening price: $15
Trained by the master, Fred Kersley, Ihtsahymn comes into the Perth Cup after running a gallant third in the G2 Ted van Heemst Stakes (2100m). The son of Ihtiram had to lead the field up to tearaway leader on that occasion which was a fairly arduous task but he managed to stick on for third, holding off late challengers Zarantz, Tradesman and Dubai Escapade. From barrier five, Ihtsahymn will be partnered by his regular jockey Steven Parnham and is a great each-way chance.
3. COUGAR EXPRESS
TABtouch Fixed Odds opening price: $71
Connections of Cougar Express were bitterly disappointed when they drew barrier one which suggested that they had grand plans for apprentice Randy Tan to ride a bold race on the $71 chance. From the inside draw, Tan will be limited as to what he will be able to do in the race which is likely hinder his chances. Anything better than eighth is a win for the gelding.
4. DARK ALERT
TABtouch Fixed Odds opening price: $26
Along with Perfect Reflection, Neverland and Star Exhibit, Dark Alert was bred and is owned by Bob and Sandra Peters. The son of Testa Rossa was unlucky two starts ago in the Listed JRA Trophy (2200m) where he was hampered at a crucial stage of the race, at the top of the straight. He worked home well at his most recent start in the Listed ATA Stakes (2200m) but failed to show the late dash required to be considered for a race such as the Perth Cup. A rough outsider.
5. DARK MUSKET
TABtouch Fixed Odds opening price: $21
Dark Musket ran in the Perth Cup earlier this year and acquitted himself very well with a gutsy run-on fourth behind the Peters trio which included Delicacy, Neverland and Real Love. The son of Musket has only won one race since then but his runs this campaign suggest that he has been targeted towards the 2400m of the Perth Cup. Jason Whiting, who has won three Perth Cups, takes the ride on the five-year-old. A live each-way chance.
6. DUBAI ESCAPADE
TABtouch Fixed Odds opening price: $21
A dour stayer, Dubai Escapade is another galloper which has been set for the 2400m of the Perth Cup. His last win was in the $150,000 Western Australia Cup (3200m) which proves the further the better for the son of Dubai Destination. Like Dark Musket and Respondent, Dubai Escapade will be having his third run in as many weekends this Saturday in the Perth Cup so fitness will not be an issue. Another which is over the odds.
7. FATHOMS OF GOLD
TABtouch Fixed Odds opening price: $14
Fathoms Of Gold ran a race to remember in the G2 Ted van Heemst Stakes (2100m) when second. The Frenchman, Matthieu Autier, showed his hand in that race by taking off and stringing the field out by 16 lengths but, be assured, he won’t be getting away with those same tactics here. The son of Fath will bowl along and set a solid speed out in front and it will make for one heck of a race!
8. KIA ORA KOUTOU
TABtouch Fixed Odds opening price: $3.10
The favourite and for good reason. Kia Ora Koutou showed his staying prowess in the Listed JRA Trophy (2200m) when jockey Joseph Azzopardi took off mid-race and outstayed the rest of the field with a tough and gritty display. From barrier eight, Azzopardi has plenty of options to ride a flexible race that best suits the situation. The son of Blackfriars looks mighty hard to beat.
9. NEVERLAND
TABtouch Fixed Odds opening price: $21
A fair bit of intrigue revolves around the chances of Neverland. She doesn’t seem to going as well as she was this time last year but Glenn Smith has elected to ride her over Star Exhibit, the galloper which he rode to victory last week in the Listed ATA Stakes (2200m). Besides the jockey merry-go-round, her form does not read well this campaign but, to the eye, she looked to run a good race in the G1 Kingston Town Classic (1800m). A mystery but hard to recommend on recent performances.
10. RESPONDENT
TABtouch Fixed Odds opening price: $18
Like Dark Musket and Dubai Escapade, Respondent comes into the Perth Cup after running on the past two Saturdays in the G2 Ted van Heemst Stakes (2100m) and Listed ATA Stakes (2200m) so fitness will not be a worry. He stuck on very well for second in the ATA Stakes after settling near the speed. Chris Parnham jumps back on and he face a task from barrier 15 but he is a great chance at double figure odds.
11. STAR EXHIBIT
TABtouch Fixed Odds opening price: $9
Star Exhibit could not have been more impressive when running second behind Kia Ora Koutou in the Listed JRA Trophy (2200m). He then followed up that good effort with a sweeping win in the Listed ATA Stakes (2200m). Jarrad Noske takes the ride after his jockey from the last two starts, Glenn Smith, jumps off to ride Neverland. The son of Statue Of Liberty has the late turn of speed which could see him be in the finish. One of the key chances but the opening price is too short.
12. THE FORGOTTEN ONE
TABtouch Fixed Odds opening price: $51
$51 is the opening price for The Forgotten One and he is likely drift even further. Although he is bred to stay, his recent form in restricted grade is not good enough for him to feature here.
13. TICK TICK BLOOM
TABtouch Fixed Odds opening price: $31
A mare with plenty of talent and staying ability is Tick Tick Bloom. Her run, two starts ago, in the G1 Kingston Town Classic (1800m) was a bottler. She ran the fastest last 600m on that occasion and, with a repeat of that effort from a closer position in running, she can be in the finish at big odds.
14. TRADESMAN
TABtouch Fixed Odds opening price: $6.50
Tradesman is as tough as they come. The son of Trade Fair has been brilliant all campaign. He won first up, beating eventual G1 Railway Stakes (1600m) winner Scales Of Justice and has not run a bad race since. He was mighty gallant in the G1 Kingston Town Classic (1800m) when forced to work hard the entire journey but he still managed to beat home over half the field. The question still remains on how much is left in the tank after a tough preparation. If he goes back to last from his wide barrier, he will be out of flashing home late but that may be a bridge too far.
15. ZARANTZ
TABtouch Fixed Odds opening price: $16
Zarantz is the one that caught the eye in the Listed ATA Stakes (2200m) on Christmas Eve. He worked home nicely for in-form Ascot trainer Simon Miller who trained three winners on that Christmas Eve card at Ascot. The one worry with the son of Choisir is that he has never placed at Ascot from 10 attempts. He will get a lovely run from barrier four but, when the sparks fly, he may be the one left flat-footed along the inside.
SELECTIONS
8. KIA ORA KOUTOU
The G1 Victoria Derby placegetter is quite simply the best stayer in the field, proven by the time and manner in which he won the Listed JRA Trophy. Jockey Joseph Azzopardi has plenty of options from barrier eight and is likely to put this field away.
6. DUBAI ESCAPADE
Trainer Justin Warwick has this gelding rock hard fit after running him in the G2 Ted van Heemst Stakes and Listed ATA Stakes in consecutive weeks. He ran on well in the latter of those races and there was a lot to like about the way he hit the line. From barrier three, Lucy Warwick will be right in the thick of the action and can go close to winning.
5. DARK MUSKET
Most recently, Dark Musket found the line nicely in the Listed ATA Stakes. He is another which will have the fitness edge on his rivals and he looks to have been set this preparation for the 2400m of the Perth Cup. Jockey Jason Whiting will get a dream run from the middle of the field and can let it all unfurl in front of him without getting outside of his comfort zone.
10. RESPONDENT
Repondent was tough on Christmas Eve in the Listed ATA Stakes when racing near the speed and sticking on for second. A past WATC Derby winner, he ran 2400m without a worry which will obviously hold him in good stead for a race such as this. Chris Parnham rides from barrier 15 but, with a positive ride, hopefully he can sit near the speed and battle on for a top four finish.
Happy punting and GOOD LUCK!
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