Ascot Racecourse will host Perth’s biggest New Year’s Day party at the TABtouch Perth Cup on January 1 and this year’s TABtouch Perth Cup race promises plenty of Gold with the Group 2 $500,000 iconic race and a stunning 24 carat gold plated trophy up for grabs.
If that’s not enough to herald in the New Year, crowds on course will also see the Gold Coast 2018 Commonwealth Games (GC2018) Queen’s Baton on parade featuring local favourite William Pike from 12 pm, Perth Cup Ambassador Nikki Gogan and local favourites San Cisco playing live after the last race.
The 132nd edition of Western Australia's oldest horse race, the Perth Cup, is an event with a rich history. Perth Racing’s Managing Director John Yovich said the race, first run in 1887, has played a part in many West Australian’s New Year’s traditions.
“The TABtouch Perth Cup is an event not to be missed, it’s the first major social event of the New Year in Western Australia and the highlight of the Summer Racing Carnival. Many families around Perth consider the Perth Cup a must for the start to their New Year. ”
“No doubt this year’s TABtouch Perth Cup will not disappoint and it’s an action-packed day full of quality racing, parades, music, food and entertainment,” Yovich said.
Counting down the days until GC2018 to be held in April, Jockey William Pike will make an entrance at this year’s TABtouch Perth Cup aboard the premier thoroughbred Perfect Reflection, as part of the official Queen’s Baton Relay. The Queen’s Baton carries a message from Her Majesty the Queen around the Commonwealth and through the host nation to the start of the Commonwealth Games.
31 year old Pike is considered racing gold, securing nine Western Australian metropolitan jockey premierships as well as five Group Ones - Cats Fun in the 2005 WATC Derby, Grand Journey in the 2008 WATC Derby, Dreamaway in the 2011 WATC Derby, Elite Belle in the 2014 Railway Stakes and Perfect Reflection in the 2015 Kingston Town Classic - and two Perth Cups - Crown Prosecutor in 2005 and Real Love in 2015 - during his stellar career. In each of the last two seasons, Pike has ridden more winners in Australia than any other jockey competing in the 2018 Perth Cup.
This year with a stellar racing line up and the indie-pop tunes of San Cisco entraining crowds, there’s something for everyone on course, whether it’s casual, laid back or dressed up in ticketed marquees dotted around the course.
Some other attractions at the TABtouch Perth Cup include:
- A pamper lounge with free Hair & Makeup in the Bookies Pavilion 11.30-2.30pm,
- DJ Entertainment in the Mounting Yard 12-5.30pm,
- Bright & Cutts Acoustic Duo playing In the Flametree Lawn 12-5pm
- Tag Snaps Photo Booth Station at the Flower Wall Container in Bookies Pavilion 12.30-4.30pm,
- Red Bull Silent Disco in the Flametree Lawn 1.30-5.30pm,
- Food Trucks - 13 Food Trucks around course,
- TABtouch-Perth Cup - $500,000 Group Two Race at 5.05pm,
- San Cisco on the main stage on the Leger Lawn 5.50-7.10pm
Full field and barriers for the 2017 TABtouch Perth Cup:
|
Horse
|
Trainer
|
Jockey
|
Barrier
|
Weight (kg)
|
1
|
POUNAMU
|
ALAN MATHEWS
|
PATRICK CARBERY
|
8
|
59
|
2
|
MATERIAL MAN
|
JUSTIN WARWICK
|
LUCY WARWICK
|
3
|
56.5
|
3
|
TRAP FOR FOOLS
|
LINDSEY SMITH
|
ALAN KENNEDY
|
4
|
54.5
|
4
|
ZARANTZ
|
ADAM DURRANT
|
CHRIS PARNHAM
|
10
|
54.5
|
5
|
ANGOLA
|
JUSTIN WARWICK
|
TROY TURNER
|
16
|
53
|
6
|
BOLLYWOOD BLITZ
|
NEVILLE PARNHAM
|
STEVEN PARNHAM
|
14
|
53
|
7
|
COSMIC STORM
|
GRANT & ALANA WILLIAMS
|
SHAUN MC GRUDDY
|
2
|
53
|
8
|
DARK ALERT
|
JOE MILLER
|
PETER KNUCKEY
|
1
|
53
|
9
|
DARK MUSKET
|
GRAEME BALLANTYNE
|
DANIEL STAECK
|
15
|
53
|
10
|
FALCON CREST
|
GRANT & ALANA WILLIAMS
|
JOSEPH AZZOPARDI
|
13
|
53
|
11
|
JUICING CARROTS
|
RAQUEL REID
|
CRAIG STAPLES
|
17
|
53
|
12
|
NOT AGAIN KEN
|
MARK WRIGHT
|
SHAUN O'DONNELL
|
11
|
53
|
13
|
ROYAL STAR
|
GRANT & ALANA WILLIAMS
|
CLINT JOHNSTON-PORTER
|
5
|
53
|
14
|
SHINTA MANI
|
SHARON MILLER
|
JASON WHITING
|
12
|
53
|
15
|
STAR VALUE
|
DANIEL O'CONNOR
|
LEE NEWMAN
|
6
|
53
|
16
|
TOPPA DAWOZZA
|
GARY CRISPIN
|
JASON BROWN
|
7
|
53
|
17
|
SUNSET SUPERMAN
|
BRETT POPE
|
PATRICK CARBERY
|
9
|
53
|
About the Queen’s Baton Relay
The Queen’s Baton Relay is a much-loved tradition. The Queen’s Baton carries a message from Her Majesty the Queen around the Commonwealth and through the host nation to the start of the Commonwealth Games. The Games are declared officially open when the Queen’s Baton arrives at the Opening Ceremony, Her message is removed and read aloud. The Queen’s Baton Relay for the Gold Coast 2018 Commonwealth Games (GC2018) is the longest and most accessible in history, travelling a record 388 days and 230,000km around the world, engaging with all nations and territories of the Commonwealth.
In Australia, the Queen’s Baton will travel for 100 days through every state and territory. About 3,800 batonbearers will carry it as it makes its way to the Games’ Opening Ceremony on 4 April on the Gold Coast.
Each host city designs their own Queen’s Baton. The GC2018 Queen’s Baton has been designed to reflect the people, place and spirit of the Gold Coast. It uses three distinct materials of macadamia wood, stainless steel and reclaimed plastic to represent our past, our present and our future. Its looped design captures the boundless energy of the Gold Coast; and the lights on the inside of the Baton represent the warm spirit of the people inviting you to share in the excitement of the Games.
More info https://www.gc2018.com/qbr