The return clash between Luckygray and Ihtsahym in this weekend’s G2 C. B. Cox Stakes promises to be just as enticing as their enthralling clash in the G1 Kingstown Town Stakes (1800m) a fortnight ago, when only a neck separating the pair.There was only a small margin between the pair again when markets first opened on Wednesday with Luckygray holding the advantage at $3.20 compared to Ihtsahymn’s $3.40. Mr. Moet ($6.00) and Rohan ($9.00), who finished fifth and third in the Kingstown Town Stakes respectively, are the only other runners under double figures.
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1. LUCKYGRAY – S O’Donnell (4)
Despite a good effort as the 13/8 favourite in the Listed Lee Steere Stakes (fourth, beaten a length), the local champion started 20/1 in the G1 Railway Stakes (1600m) at his following start and flashed home to record a half length win over Platinum Rocker. That victory had punters back onboard at his next and most recent start in the G1 Kingstown Stakes (1800m) where he started the 2/1 favourite. He drew gate seven in the field of eleven and may have got back a littler further than anticipated in the run. He chased home Itsahymn, who had settled on the speed and as a 3yo in a WFA race also had a 7kgs advantage, valiantly and got to within a neck. Will keep the youngster in his sights from gate four this time around and only has a small margin to correct.
2. PLAYING GOD – B Parnham
The 6yo is steadily getting closer to the winner in each of his past four starts and the step up to 2100m should suit. He closed well to run fifth behind Luckygray in the G1 Railway Stakes (1600m) before, at his last start, taking up the lead during the run in the Kingstown Stakes (1800m) and sticking on well to finish fourth, only a length behind Ihtsahymn, Luckygray and Rohan. Continues his poor run in terms of barriers and has come up with eight here which could prove troublesome but going well and represents good value at $12.00
3. MR. MOET – P Hall (3)
Ran a smart race in this year’s Caulfield Cup and backed that up with another solid performance in the G1 Mackinnon Stakes when fourth (1.4 lengths) behind Side Glance. Returned to WA after that run but unfortunately he has drawn the widest gate in both of his starts since, which has seen him drop out to the tail of the field in both the G1 Railway Stakes and G1 Kingstown Stakes. The 6yo has closed well on each occasion however finishing seventh (2 ¾ lengths) and fifth (2 lengths) respectively. Has finally drawn a gate here and we may not see him as far back as what he has been. Won this race last year and is a genuine chance of making it consecutive victories.
4. GOD HAS SPOKEN – P Knucky (1)
Got shuffled back in the G1 Railway Stakes after drawing an inside gate and did well to run sixth (1 ¾ lengths) behind Luckygray. He followed that effort up by finishing last in the Kingstown Stakes a fortnight ago when, after sitting up the speed, he struggled over the final furlong dropping out and finding himself 5.6 lengths from the winner in the end. Would imagine he takes up a similar position from the inside gate but his last start and the fact that it’s been two years since his last win – which came in this race in 2011, he is too hard to have.
5. ROHAN – G Smith (9)
Winner of the WATC Derby last year, the son of Blackfriars spent sixteen months off the track and only returned to racing in October of this year. Each of his five runs back, not considering the time away from racing, have been first rate and he has filled a place in four of them – each at Group level. Was afforded a nice run on the pace last start in the Kingstown Town Stakes and fought on well behind the smart pairing of Ihtsahymn and Luckygray, running third by ¾ lengths. That run will serve him well after he had quickly jumped to 2100 at his previous start, he’ll be fitter again and ready to produce another competitive effort.
6. KINCAPLE – D Staeck (11)
Returned to racing in the G3 Lee Steere Stakes (1400m) back in November and didn’t have a great deal of luck in the run when seventh (1 ¾ lengths) behind the in-form Conservatorium. He then stepped up in class and distance to take on a top field in the G1 Railway Stakes but failed to make an impression and placed third to last in the field of fifteen, almost six lengths from the winner. That run was four weeks ago now so he faces a challenge taking on this trip after stepping up from the mile, a task made no easier given he’s drawn wide.
7. BLACK TYCOON – P Harvey (12)
The 8yo won the Listed Tatt’s Cup (2100m) two starts back in a driving finish by a head over Knightlike before having his first crack at the elite level in G1 Kingstown Town Stakes (1800m). He drew the inside gate in the Kingstown Town and after a lovely run, went as well as he could have to finish seventh behind Ihtsahymn. Hasn’t drawn so favourable here and will find this no easier.
8. GLOBAL FLIRT – M Pate (6)
The stable-mate to Black Tycoon, the son of McFlirt has improved as each of his races this preparation has increased in distance. His most recent effort, his fifth this time in, saw him make good ground from the tail of the field to finish fifth in the G.A. Towton Cup (Listed, 2200m) behind Knightlike. Goes up a little in weight and a lot in class on that run and would think he’d find at least a few too good for him here.
9. TALENT SHOW – J Whiting (10)
As a 60/1 chance, she surprised most by finishing fourth in this race last year before going on to claim the Perth Cup on New Year’s Day of this year. She’s preparing herself to defend her title and will use this as her final hit-out. Last start indicated she was looking for longer than the 1800m of the Kingstown Town Stakes as she grinded her way home, running ninth (five lengths) behind Ihtsahymn. The 7yo mare needs to show a lot of improvement of off that run.
10. MOONLIGHT BAY – C Parnham (7)
Appreciated the step up to 1800m at his third run back this prep to claim the Listed Ascot Gold Cup (1800m) and backed that effort up with another good run, when fourth in the Listed Tatt’s Cup (2100m). Found the step up to a G1 WFA beyond last start though when running eighth behind Ihtsahymn in the G1 Kingstown Town Stakes. Couldn’t see where he would make the required improvement needed to be involved here.
11. ELITE BELLE – W Pike (5)
After running second to Kerrific in the G3 R. J. Peters (1500m), the 5yo Canny Lad mare started the 11/8 favourite in the Listed Carbine Club (1400m) and didn’t let punters down, winning comfortably by 1 ¼ lengths. She was always going to find her next and most recent start a challenge given that she was stepping up significantly in distance but also class when contesting the G1 Railway Stakes. Her effort to finish sixth then, two lengths from Ihtsahymn, was a commendable effort and will have her fitter for her attempt at this race. She ran third in the WA Oaks last year and from a good draw, not without some hope of filling a place for the exotics.
12. IHTSAHYM – S Parnham (2)
Impressed all with his explosive win in the WA Guineas two starts back and his trainer Fred Kersley, who knows a good horse when he sees one, had no hesitation in taking on the older horse in the G1 Kingstown Stakes (1800m). The son of Ihtiram settled in a beautiful spot in the run and was able to stave off the late challenge of Luckygray to win by a neck. Steps up to this trip for the first time in his career but the combination of weight and gate should assist him in running it right out. Will prove hard to beat again.
RACE OVERVIEW
Think Luckygray can turn the tables here. Gave the 3yo with his light weight too much of a start last time out and he’ll be sure to keep closer tabs on him here. Ihtsahymn has met every challenge put before him and faces yet another one here. Has he got more to give than he did last start? With this race being beyond 2000m, it increases the chances here of several runners who could win without surprising. Mr. Moet has been placed on the back-foot at each of his last two starts due to poor barriers. He finally comes up with a good gate and may make the most of it. A repeat performance of either of his Melbourne runs from earlier this spring, should see him go close. Likewise, Playing God also had little luck from a poor draw last start. Should he be able to find a spot from another awkward draw, he could run a good race at double figure odds.
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- LUCKYGRAY
- IHTSAHYM
- MR MOET
- PLAYING GOD
