Track: Good   Weather: Fine

There is a field of 12 runners for the $125,000 A.J. Scahill Cup with 10 geldings and 2 mares. There is one four-year-old, four five-year-olds, three six-year-olds, two seven-year-olds and two nine-year-olds. Ten runners had their last start in the Listed Luckygray Stakes over 1800m at Ascot on 11th November, while the other two came via different races. Two runners are sired by Blackfriars. Trainers Daniel & Ben Pearce have 2 runners.

The early favourite is Casino Seventeen who drove hard for 0.8 length 4th in the Luckgray Stakes after being held up from the turn to the 100m. Second favourite is Black Fantasy who finished 2 lengths 6th in the Group 3 R J Peters Stakes over 1500m at Ascot on 18th November. Third favourite is Another Chino who won the Luckygray. Queen Alina ran on strongly for 0.5 length 3rd in the Luckygray. The other runners are currently $16 or longer.

1. Casino Seventeen (3)

Drove hard for 0.8 length 4th in the Listed Luckygray Stakes over 1800m at Ascot on 11th November after being held up from the turn to the 100m. It looked as if he could have won with a clearer path. Can win this.

2. Another Chino (7)

Won the Luckygray and has shown in the past he is good for further. One of the main chances again.

3. No Apology (2)

Has finished back in the field at both runs this campaign. Unlikely.

4. Truly Inspired (9)

Resumed for 3 lengths 11th in the Luckgray. Encouraging return but probably needs another run before he shows his best.

5. Black Fantasy (5)

One of 2 runners trained by Daniel & Ben Pearce (the other is Queen Alina) and one of 2 runners sired by Blackfriars (the other is Be Optimistic). Last start he finished 2 lengths 6th in the Group 3 R J Peters Stakes over 1500m at Ascot on 18th November and is on a 7 day back-up. Chance.

6. Atlantis Beach (1)

Drawn perfectly but in 7 trips to Ascot he has never won, and only placed once. Prefer others.

7. Bad Wolf (10)

He was the early leader in the Luckgray before being headed at the 175m and fading. Won a weaker race over 2200m here the start before. Not the worst.

8. Be Optimistic (12)

Won the Kalgoorlie Cup over 2300m in October then was never fully clear to the line when 2.6 lengths 9th in the Luckygray. Could surprise.

9. Blazing Away (4)

Unplaced in all four runs this preparation. Unlikely.

10. Mister Popcorn (11)

The most lightly-raced runner with only 8 starts. He broke his maiden at Northam 3 starts back over 2200m, winning by over 3 lengths, and was 3rd in the York Cup over 1920m last start after being held up to the 100m. Rough place chance.

11. Neufbosc (6)

Looked dangerous in the Luckgray until he peaked at the 100m and finished 1.7 lengths 6th. Chance.

12. Queen Alina (8)

Ran on strongly for 0.5 length 3rd in the Luckygray after being forced to circle 5 wide on the turn. One of the main chances.

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

Jo Jackson’s Tips
1 Casino Seventeen
12 Queen Alina
2 Another Chino
11 Neufbosc

Result	Horse	Margin
1st	8 Be Optimistic
2nd	1 Casino Seventeen	1.55 lengths
3rd	5 Black Fantasy	2.21 lengths
4th	12 Queen Alina	2.32 lengths

The track was rated as Good 4.

There were no scratchings.