Feature race at Ascot and the biggest race of the day country-wide, is the $500,000.00 Perth Cup. A full field of sixteen runners, plus four emergencies are entered with Chester Road the early favourite with Sportsbet at $3.90 which means there’s some good value available of two of Australia’s most in-form runners in Mr. Moet ($4.60) and Sydney visitor, Cantonese ($5.50)
1. MR. MOET
Trainer Adam Durrant has done an exceptional job with this 5yo son of Mosayter. He produced him first up to win the G1 Railway Stakes (1600m) and backed that up with a second in the G1 Kingston Town Classic behind Luckygray and a ¾ length win in the G2 CB Stakes at his last start, defeating Chester Road. Just can’t knock his form and was a bit surprised not to see him favourite in early markets.
Odds: $4.60
2. PLAYING GOD
Ran fourth (beaten 1 ¼ lengths) three starts back in the G1 Railway Stakes (1600m) and then was no much for Luckygray and Mr. Moet in the Kingston Town Classic (1800m) at his next start. His last start was only an average effort in the CB Cox Stakes where he finished seventh (beaten 4.3 lengths). I would have liked to have seen a bit more from him at his most recent outings before including him here.
Odds: $31.00
3. GOD HAS SPOKEN
After good efforts in both the G1 Railway Stakes (fifth, beaten 1.4) and G1 Kingston Town Classic (third, beaten 1 ¾), expected more from him in the CB Cox Plate than his twelfth of fifteen (beaten 6.6 lengths). He appeared to miss a run at a crucial stage last start and struggled to regain his momentum thereafter. At $18.00, could forgive him that run and going on his previous form, give him another bite of the cherry. Ran second in this race last year.
Odds: $18.00
4. WESTRIVER KEVYDONN
Won the G3 Asian Beau (1400m) at his second run back this prep but in four subsequent runs, just been found wanting over the concluding stages of each of them. Will be better though for last start, where he jumped from 1400m to the 2100m (first time in his career) and led the field before finishing sixth. That experience over a journey will help has well the handicap conditions but doubt the combination will be enough.
Odds: $67.00
5. RANGER
He ran well when first up in the G1 Railway Stakes before failing in the Kingston Town Classic. He trialled after that run and returned with much improved third (beaten 1.1 lengths) in the CB Cox Stakes behind Mr. Moet. That was only his fourth run in this prep, drops 3.5kgs and would have to be rated amongst the better chances.
Odds: $11.00
6. LORDS RANSOM
Hard to rate this 9yo a chance given that he ran second to last in the G1 Railway Stakes and eleventh of fifteen in the CB Cox Stakes at his last two outings.
Odds: $61.00
7. CANTONESE
Sydney visitor who, since winning a Hawkesbury Class 1 back in September, has won five of his past seven culminating in a six length win in Listed Christmas Cup at Rosehill last start. He’s drawn the ‘visitor’s gate’ today but it is hard to underestimate this horse given his astronomical rise through the grades over the past four months. Distance is certainly not going to be of concern to him and if he can get across cheaply, will take some running down.
Odds: $5.50
8. CHESTER ROAD
Returned to racing three starts back with a dominate win in the Listed Carbine Club (1400m) before his saddle slipped in the Kingston Town Classic and he did well to finish eighth (beaten 2.6 lengths). Couldn’t hold off stable-mate Mr. Moet last start in the CB Cox Stakes and finished second to that horse beaten ¾. Meets Mr. Moet 5kgs to the good here but has drawn 17. For a horse that generally races handy, it’ll be interesting to see the tactics employed on him early.
Odds: $3.90
9. BRIDGESTONE
He is a last start winner of a BM 80 after having finished second to Global Flirt in the Towton Cup (2200m). Drops five kilos on his last start and has drawn to be handy in the run from gate five. Not the roughest at $18.00.
Odds: $18.00
10. DREAMAWAY
More Than Ready mare who has had three runs back this time with the latest of them, a 3.8 length tenth of twelve behind Bridgestone. Had to lug 60kgs then but even with the significant drop in weight, don’t know if she is going well enough to win here.
Odds: $67.00
11. GLOBAL FLIRT
He’s won three on the trot including the Listed Towton Cup (2200m) before closing from well back in the field for a ¾ length fourth to Bridgestone last start. He’s another that will enjoy the drop in weights and has never been in better form. He can be one to throw in multiples at $14.00.
Odds: $14.00
12. LOPOV
Won the Kalgoorlie Cup by three lengths back in September before an eight week freshen-up but in three runs back, the son of Savabeel has been well accounted for them in each of them. Would have to take a massive turn around in form.
Odds: $101.00
13. MOONLIGHT BAY
Won the Listed Tatt’s Cup (2100m) three starts back as 7/4 favourite and has been within a half length in of Global Flirt in the Towton Cup and Bridgestone last start at his two runs since. Drawing wide here won’t do his chances any favours.
Odds: $31.00
14. POP CULTURE
Beat Rosie Rocket three starts back in the Ascot Gold Cup (1800m) before two length fourth to Luckygray in the G1 Kingston Classic and a ¾ length win last start in WA St. Leger as 8/11F. Smart mare who has won seven of her sixteen starts including the WA Oaks but here chances here took a turn for the worse when the number 20 marble fell to her at the barrier draw.
Odds: $9.00
15. SHAMARDASHING
He’s got a long way back in both the G1 Kingston Town Classic and G2 CB Cox Stakes at his most recent runs and finished ninth (beaten 4 lengths) and ninth again (beaten 5 lengths). Back to the handicap conditions means he drops from 59kgs, to 53kgs here and did run a close fourth behind Ginga Dude in the G3 Tatt’s Cup in QLD before claiming the Grafton Cup (with 57kgs) when he got to this distance range last prep.
Odds: $16.00
16. STARLIGHT LADY
Second to Moonlight Bay two starts back in the Listed Tatt’s Cup before having three weeks off and then finishing second to last behind Bridgestone a fortnight ago. She’s won four of her past eight but none of those victories have been in races of this calibre.
Odds: $51.00
17. TALENT SHOW
Although he hasn’t won in fifteen starts, he did put in a career best performance last start when fourth (beaten three lengths) behind Mr. Moet in the CB Cox Stakes at 60/1. Going on that run alone and factoring in his draw and weight drop, not the worst $41.00 shot seen.
Odds: $41.00
18. BIG JOSH
Since an eleven week let-up, this son of Blackfriars has had four starts with the latest of them being a fifth (beaten 3.5 lengths) in the CB Cox Stakes behind Mr. Moet. He made good ground late on that occasion, drops 6kgs in weight and drawn well.
Odds: $31.00
19. BATTLE EMBLEM
Has started big prices at each of his five starts this prep and going on his latest outing, where he finished last of fifteen in the CB Cox Stakes, expect him to be a big price again.
Odds: $151.00
20. MALAIKA
Has won one of her past eighteen starts and that was six starts back. She’s been well handled in her last two starts including the Towton Cup (beaten 4.8 lengths) and G2 CB Cox Stakes (beaten 4.5 lengths).
Odds: $101.00
SUMMARY
Finding it hard to come up with a reason not to stick with Mr. Moet here, he’s been in exceptional form, was strong at the end of the CB Cox Stakes and at $4.60, appears to be great value. Happy to risk Chester Road at his quote and from his wide gate. A few at double figure odds that may be capable of running big races are God Has Spoken – $18.00 (prepared to forgive him last start), Ranger $11.00 – (better again for last start and well weighted) and Shamardashing $16.00 – (expecting an improved effort down in the weights and over the 2400m).
