A.J. Scahill Cup/ WATC Tattersall’s Cup – 2022

Track: Good   Weather: Fine

There are 14 runners for the $125,000 A.J Scahill Cup, with 11 geldings and 3 mares. Seven runners had their last start in the Listed Luckygray Stakes over 1800m at Ascot on 12 November, 3 in the Group 3 R.J. Peters Stakes over 1500m at Ascot on 12 November, 3 in the York Cup over 1920m at York on 6 November, and one in the Group 1 Railway Stakes over 1600m last Saturday. There is one 4YO, two 5YOs, two 6YOs, five 7YOs and four 8YOs. Trainer Adam Durrant has three runners and Neville Parnham has two.

The early favourite is Pure Devotion who ran 4th in the Luckygray Stakes and has 2 wins at 2200m. Second favourite is the topweight Marocchino who won this race last year and won the Northam Cup in October before trying to lead all the way in the Railway Stakes last week before being beaten off in the final 200m. Third favourite is Stafford’s Lad who was 3rd in this race last year and won the 2100m Listed Boulder Cup and 2200m Listed Kalgoorlie Cup before 6 lengths 11th in the Luckygray.

Utgard Loki ran 6th in the Luckygray and Come Right Back finished 5th. Platoon has finished well back at all 3 starts this campaign. Chili Is Hot finished 8th in the R.J. Peters, while Black Shadow finished 8th in the Luckygray. The other runners are currently 20 to 1 or longer.

1. Marocchino (5)

This 6YO won this race last year. His topweight of 60.5kg means he carries 3.5 kg more than any other runner and 6.5 kg more than the early favourite. He won the Northam Cup in October before trying to lead all the way in the Railway Stakes last week, where he carried 55kg, and was beaten off in the final 200m. I really like him but think the big weight can stop him winning. Putting him in for a place.

2. Stafford’s Lad (13)

Was 3rd in this race last year and won the 2100m Listed Boulder Cup and 2200m Listed Kalgoorlie Cup before 6 lengths 11th in the Luckygray. Goes well over this distance range but could struggle from a wide barrier draw. In the mix.

3. True Attraction (7)

Unplaced in all four runs this campaign. Looking to others.

4. Utgard Loki (4)

One of three runners for trainer Adam Durrant. Ran 6th in the Luckygray at his 2nd run back from a spell and is getting fitter. Place chance.

5. Neufbosc (3)

One of two runners for trainer Neville Parnham. Resumed for 14th in the Group 3 Asian Beau Stakes, then ran 12th in the R.J. Peters. Unplaced in 9 runs on slow going. Not keen.

6. Platoon (11)

Has finished well back at all 3 starts this campaign. Looking elsewhere.

7. Black Shadow (6)

Finished 8th in the Luckygray when resuming from a spell. Should improve on that. Not the worst.

8. All Man (10)

Won over 2200m at Ascot then showed it was no fluke with a 1.9 length win in the York Cup. Could Surprise.

9. Chili Is Hot (1)

Finished 8th in the R.J. Peters after running 8th at both starts before that. Drawn nicely in barrier 1. Not the worst.

10. Come Right Back (9)

Ran 5th in the Luckygray at his 3rd start from a spell. The distance should suit and he is in the mix.

11. Divine Shadow (14)

Awkwardly drawn in the outside barrier. Looking to others.

12. He’s A Parker (12)

Getting out to his favourite distance. Rough place chance.

13. Lady Chant (2)

The most lightly raced runner with only 10 starts. She’s the type of mare who doesn’t seem to warm up until the race is nearly over. Don’t dismiss over this distance.

14. Pure Devotion (8)

This So You Think mare is the early favourite. She ran 4th in the Luckygray Stakes and has 2 wins at 2200m. She came from last in the Luckgray and this distance looks ideal at this stage of her preparation. William Pike a bonus and she should be prominent in the finish.

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

Jo’s Tips
14 Pure Devotion
1 Marocchino
10 Come Right Back
4 Utgard Loki