A capacity field of stayers will line up in Saturday’s Group 2 Perth Cup (2400m) at Ascot for a chance to claim a share in the $400,000 prize-money.
The Grant and Alana Williams team are looking to retain their crown after winning this race last year, and they appear to have two solid chances in Kingston Town Classic winner Truly Great and promising four-year-old gelding Midnight Blue.
To help you find a winner, we’ve previewed each and every runner in our 2021 Perth Cup Preview below!
Truly Great
Truly Great was the surprise winner of the Group 1 Kingston Town Classic earlier in the month where she beat home stablemate Inspirational Girl by nearly two lengths.
Trainers Grant and Alana Williams are looking to make it a Perth Cup double following Mississippi Delta’s success last year, and they appear to have a serious winning hope on their hands with this classy five-year-old.
The son of Dundeel has won five from six starts since returning to work back in October and simply loves racing at Ascot.
This is his first look at the mile-and-a-half, but based on the way he finished off to win the Group 2 Ted Van Heemst Stakes (2100m) last start, he should see it out nicely under three-time Perth Cup winner William Pike.
Trap For Fools
Trap For Fools made amends for his flat performance in the Kingston Town with a brilliant three-length win second-up in the Listed G.A. Towton Cup (2200m).
He then went on to run second behind Truly Great a fortnight ago in the Ted Van Heemst, a run that had plenty of merit as he steps out over further.
There’s no doubt the old boy is up to winning if he produces his best, but it all depends how much energy he spends offsetting the wide draw.
Princess Jenni
Trainer David Brideoake has chosen to head to Perth for the first time with Princess Jenni following her last start second at Flemington over further.
The five-year-old mare by High Chaparral has been up for a while, but she did produce a big performance three runs back to win the Group 3 Bendigo Cup by a narrow margin.
The step back to the 2400m is a big tick and the fact she’s drawn the inside with some weight off her back makes her a chance.
Neufbosc
Neufbosc is racing on the short backup after winning the Listed A.T.A Stakes (2200m) last week in a canter.
The six-year-old is unplaced at Group level in Australia, but he does look to be a major player in this race based on recent form.
Aside from a luckless outing in the Kingston Town Stakes, he’s done some of his best racing since venturing to Perth and also owns a pair of wins over the 2400m.
Platoon
It’s been over a year since Platoon has found the winner’s stall, but he has been making some headway towards a victory of late.
The five-year-old son of Playing God has found the placings in both the Northerly Stakes and the Ted Van Heemst this time in work. Whether he sees out the 2400m remains the only query.
Adornment
Adornment has won back-to-back starts against much easier opposition and it would take something very special for her to knock off some of these.
The five-year-old mare was no match at this level over a year ago and she’ll likely find this even tougher from the wide gate.
Cambist
Cambist has raced well without winning, however this does look a big ask rising in grade.
She’s raced at Group level only once in the past and the wide draw only complicates matters.
Dark Musket
Dark Musket is back for another crack at the Perth Cup after finishing second-last a year ago.
He’s hardly come close to winning a race since and won’t find this any easier based on recent form.
Double Digit
Double Digit has been up for a while and he would need to produce something extra special to win this race.
The old boy did rattle off back-to-back wins earlier in October, but this is a much tougher task rising to Group level for the first time.
Freez’emoff
Freez’emoff capped off his winter campaign in style with a pair of wins at Belmont but has struggled to replicate that form since returning to work.
He struggled to make up ground last start in a Listed race at Ascot and would need to improve drastically to figure here.
He’s A Parker
He’s A Parker was far from disgraced last time out in the Group 2 Ted Van Heemst when fifth behind Truly Great.
Whether he can repeat that performance against the same rivals remains the question, but he does appear to have some favours jumping from an identical draw with 6kg off his back.
Juicing Carrots
Juicing Carrots has found the money in each of his last five starts, but there’s no question this remains his toughest assignment to date.
The eight-year-old finished third last start to Neufbosc in the Listed A.T.A Stakes and may find the extra trip here a little much.
Midnight Blue
Midnight Blue is rising in grade after scoring back-to-back wins earlier in his prep.
The Grant and Alana Williams trained four-year-old has found the money in nine of his 13 career starts to date and no doubt has a very bright future ahead.
This remains his toughest assignment to date, but a place would not surprise from the inside draw.
Paddy’s Shadow
Paddy’s Shadow strips fitter for her last start fourth in the Ted Van Heemst Stakes where she showed a real turn of foot through the line.
She’s been racing consistently without winning this time in work and there is definitely a case to be made for her in exotics.
Taxagano
Taxagano finished third in last year’s Perth Cup and gets the blinkers off on Saturday.
He was no match in both the Railway and the Kingston Town earlier in the year, but did show improvement last start when fourth in the Listed A.T.A Stakes.
The light weight of apprentice Jade McNaught could see him run a sneaky race.
Utgard Loki
Utgard Loki has found the placings in back-to-back starts at Listed level, but he does appear tested stepping up to the 2400m for just the second time.
Apprentice Lucy Warwick has a great rapport with this horse having ridden him to three wins in the past and there’s no doubt the pair will be better for this experience.
Perth Cup Tip
1 Truly Great at $2.20
