Track: Good   Weather: Fine

There is a field of 11 runners  for the $125,000 Blue Spec Drilling Boulder Cup and seven of them had their last start in the Coolgardie Cup over 1760m at Kalgoorlie on 4 September, while three had their last start in a Rating 66+ Handicap over 2100m at Belmont on 3 September. There are all geldings and are aged five to nine-years-old, with six of them being eight-years-old. Trainers Daniel Morton, Stephen Miller and Ashley Maley all have two runners each.

The early favourite is General Grant who won over this distance at Belmont last outing. Second favourite is Coolgardie Cup winner No Apology. Third favourite is Sluice Box who ran 5th in the Coolgardie Cup and has won up to 2200m.

Tellem We’re Comin kept closing when 0.9 length 3rd in the Coolgardie Cup and looks suited by the extra distance. Stafford’s Lad ran 6th in that race and Rostropovich ran 7th. All other runners are currently over 20 to 1.

1. Tellem We’re Comin (8)

This eight-year-old Blackfriars gelding is one of two runners for Daniel Morton who has won this race before with Belora in 2012 and Red Blast in 2014. He kept closing when 0.9 length 3rd in the Coolgardie Cup and looks suited by the extra distance. One of the main chances.

2. Bella’s Idol (4)

The oldest runner in the race this year. The nine-year-old resumed for 14 lengths 6th over 1600m at Belmont on 10 September. On a seven day back-up and looks tested.

3. Rostropovich (10)

Finished 4 lengths 7th in the Coolgardie Cup. Can handle the distance and gets winkers on for the first time. Could place.

4. Stafford’s Lad (2)

Ran 6th in the Coolgardie Cup. Likely to settle back in the field. Looking to others.

5. No Apology (6)

The Coolgardie Cup winner. One of two runners for Stephen Miller and has been in the quinella at his last 5 starts. One of the main chances.

6. Sluice Box (7)

He ran 5th in the Coolgardie Cup and has won up to 2200m. One of two runners for trainer Ashley Maley and will be ridden by Shaun O’Donnell who has won this race before on Ask Me Nicely in 2015 and on Friar Fox in both 2020 and 2021. Strong place hope.

7. Bad Wolf (11)

The second runner for Ashley Maley and has drawn the widest barrier. Unplaced in all 5 runs this preparation. Can’t have.

8. General Grant (9)

This five-year-old is the youngest runner this year and is having his first race at this track. Resumed from a 12 week break for 2nd over 1600m at Pinjarra Park, then won over this distance at Belmont on 3 September. Should run fitter for those two outings and is one of the main chances.

9. He’s A Parker (5)

Finished 10 lengths 12th behind General Grant last start. This looks too tough.

10. Misty Lad (1)

Ideally drawn in barrier 1. Finished 4th in the Coolgardie Cup and has two placings from four runs this preparation. Not the worst.

11. Stratocreed (3)

Only beat one runner home in the Coolgardie Cup. To be ridden by Jade McNaught who won this race on Gangbuster in 2019. Will struggle.

The following are the top 4 selections for this years race.

Jo’s Tips
8 General Grant
5 No Apology
1 Tellem We’re Comin
6 Sluice Box

Result	Horse	Margin
1st	4 Stafford’s Lad
2nd	5 No Apology	0.17 length
3rd	9 He’s A Parker	0.52 length
4th	1 Tellem We’re Comin	0.57 length

The track was rated as Good 4.

Scratchings: 2. Bella’s Idol, 8. General Grant.