Bunbury Cup – 2024

Track: Good   Weather: Fine

There are 11 runners for the 2024 Swan Draught Bunbury Cup with 8 geldings and 3 mares. There are five 5YOs, three 6YOs, two 7YOs and one 8YO. All of them had their last start in the Listed Detonator Stakes over 1800m at Ascot on 24th February (won by Marocchino). Two runners are sired by Blackfriars and two by Playing God. The 3 horses that  ran the trifecta last year are all running again.

The early favourite is Black Fantasy who ran 2nd in the Detonator Stake and goes well at this distance. Second favourite is Marocchino who won the Detonator but is unplaced in 3 runs at this track. Third favourite is Currimundi who ran 7th after being inconvenienced. Queen Alina battled evenly for 5th in the Detonator, while Casino Seventeen finished 3rd and had the best closing splits. The other runners are currently $12 or longer.

1. Casino Seventeen (9)

Finished 3rd in this race last year. Resumed from a 7 week let-up after winning the Group 2 Perth Cup over 2400m at Ascot on 1st January to run 3rd in the Detonator Stakes with the best closing splits. Major contender.

2. Marocchino (3)

Resumed from a nine week let-up to win the Detonator for the 2nd consecutive year, but is unplaced in 3 runs at this track. Chance.

3. Black Fantasy (8)

Ran 2nd in the Detonator Stake and goes well at this distance. Strong chance.

4. Queen Alina (5)

Battled evenly for 5th in the Detonator. She is a quality mare who can get into the prizemoney.

5. Baramagic (10)

This 8YO is the oldest runner in the race this year. He won over 1675m at Bunbury before running last in the Detonator after being wide throughout and inconvenienced near the 200m. Can surprise.

6. Blazing Away (11)

Won this race last year. Ran 3rd in a 2YO+ BM 72+ Handicap over 1675m at Bunbury on 10th February (won by Baramagic) where he chased solidly before being slowly away and putting in an ordinary performance for 11th in the Detonator. Drawn the widest barrier and don’t expect him to get back-to-back wins in this race.

7. Currimundi (7)

Has a win and 3 places from his last 5 starts. Ran 7th in the Detonator after being inconvenienced. Not the worst.

8. Holy Enchantment (1)

Drawn the inside barrier. Put in an honest race for 8th in the Detonator. Unlikely.

9. No Apology (2)

Ran 2nd in this race last year. Won a 2YO+ BM 84+ Handicap over 1600m at Ascot on 3rd February at his first race after changing trainer from Brandon Fiore to Stephen Miller, then was 4 lengths 6th in the Detonator. Nicely drawn and could show up.

10. Soldanelle (6)

Resumed from a 15 week spell to win over 1500m at Ascot on 31st January then found the Detonator much harder where she finished 10th. Looking to others.

11. Toni’s Spirit (4)

Finished 9th in the Detonator Stakes. Not keen.

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

Jo Jackson’s Tips
1 Casino Seventeen
3 Black Fantasy
2 Marocchino
9 No Apology

Result	Horse	Margin
1st	6 Blazing Away
2nd	1 Casino Seventeen	0.1 length
3rd	8 Holy Enchantment	0.2 length
4th	4 Queen Alina	0.4 length

The track was rated as Good 4.

There were no scratchings.