Kalgoorlie Cup – 2022

Track: Good   Weather: Fine

There are 12 runners for the $150,000 Kalgoorlie Cup with 11 geldings and one mare. They range in age from five to nine-years-old, with two runners by Blackfriars and two by My Admiration. Seven runners had their last start in the Listed Boulder Cup over 2100m at Kalgoorlie on 18 September and two in the Carnarvon Cup over 2000m at Carnarvon on 10 September. Trainers Daniel Morton, Stephen Miller, Ashley Maley and Darryn Patemen have two runners each

The early favourite is five-year-old General Grant who won over 2100m at Belmont last outing. Second favourite is No Apology who was 2nd in the Boulder Cup last start and won the Coolgardie Cup at this track the start before. Third favourite is Sluice Box who didn’t have the best of luck when 1.8 lengths 6th in the Boulder Cup, and has won over this distance.

Stafford’s Lad won the Boulder Cup last start and ran 2nd in this race last year. Tellem We’re Comin finished 4th in the Boulder Cup, He’s A Parker finished 3rd and Rostropovich finished 8th. Native Chimes brings different form into this race with her last two runs at Carnarvon, where she won a 1700m race in August then won the Carnarvon Cup over 2000m last start. The other runners are currently 20 to 1 or longer.

1. Stafford’s Lad (10)

This eight-year-old gelding is one of two runners for Daniel Morton. He ran on from the back for 4 lengths 6th in the Coolgardie Cup over 1760m at Kalgoorlie on 4 September, then got there in the final strides for a 0.2 length win in the Boulder Cup, He carried 57.5 kg there and has 59 kg in this race which will make it hard. Jockey Shaun O’Donnell has won this race previously on Classique Ivory in 2013. Will run on at the end and can figure in the finish.

2. Tellem We’re Comin (1)

Eight-year-old Blackfriars gelding who is the 2nd of the Morton runners and has drawn the inside barrier. Was 3rd in the Coolgardie Cup then 0.6 length 4th in the Boulder Cup. He has won at Kalgoorlie before and can make his presence felt.

3. Bella’s Idol (5)

At nine-years-old he is the oldest runner in the race and came 7th in this race last year. He resumed after 22 weeks to run last of 6 over 1600m at Belmont on 10 Septtember. Gets the winkers on for the first time. Looking to others.

4. No Apology (6)

One of two runners for Stephen Miller. Jockey Lucy Warwick has won this race before on Spiritual Warrior in 2019. No Apology has had two runs at this track for a win in the Coolgardie Cop then a close 2nd in the Boulder Cup. Meets the winner of that better at the weights and looks one of the main chances.

5. Rostropovich (11)

This seven-year-old Frankel gelding from the Luke Fernie stable finished 7th in the Coolgardie Cup then 8th in the Boulder Cup.  Clint Johnston-Porter goes on and it wouldn’t surprise to see more aggressive tactics used and for him to be taken to the front from the wide barrier. Could surprise.

6. Sluice Box (9)

One of two runners for Ashley Maley. This seven-year-old My Admiration gelding was 3.2 lengths 5th in the Coolgardie Cup then was held up and didn’t have the best of luck when 1.8 lengths 6th in the Boulder Cup. He has won at this track and distance in the past and with Shaun McGruddy back aboard can improve from last start

7. Bad Wolf (3)

The other Maley runner. has had 6 runs this preparation without placing, but was not far away last start when 1.1 lengths 5th in the Boulder Cup. Hasn’t won beyond 1600m. Prefer others.

8.  Brother Paddy (2)

This eight-year-old Blackfriars gelding trained by Coreen Maynard came 0.9 length 2nd in the Coolgardie Cup, then was slowly away when 3 lengths 7th in the Boulder Cup. Has won up to 1800m and looks tested.

9. General Grant (12)

At five-years-old this All American gelding trained by Stephen Miller is the youngest runner in the race this year. He ran 2nd over 1600m at Pinjarra on 18 August, then was a 0.4 length winner over 2100m at Belmont on 3 September. He was early favourite for the Boulder Cup but had a swollen leg and was scratched. Has drawn the widest barrier and hasn’t raced at this track before, but with only 54kg on his back he should be hard to beat.

10. He’s A Parker (7)

This eight-year-old gelding hasn’t won for 3½ years but he put the writing on the wall in the Boulder Cup when he ran home strongly for 0.5 length 3rd. A repeat effort could put him in the finish. Jockey Joseph Azzopardi won this race last year on Living The Dream.

11.  Native Chimes (8)

One of two runners for Darryn Pateman, this six-year-old my Admiration mare is the only mare in the race this year. She is having her first run for this trainer, has been racing around Broome and Carnarvon and has won her last three starts. She won the Peter Evans Memorial Handicap over 1700m at Carnarvon by 2.37 lengths on 28 August, then won the 2000m Carnarvon Cup by over 2 lengths on 10 September. It’s hard to line up the form, but it looks as if she will be competitive. She will be the first mare over the line!

12. Ombudsman (4)

Another runner having their first run for Darryn Pateman. This eight-year-old was a 0.7 length winner of the Broome Cup on 13 August, then finished 7 lengths 6th in the Carnarvon Cup. Prefer to see.

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

Jo’s Tips
1 Stafford’s Lad
4 No Apology
9 General Grant
11 Native Chimes

Result	Horse	Margin
1st	1 Stafford’s Lad
2nd	4 No Apology	0.38 length
3rd	11 Native Chimes	0.4 length
4th	7 Bad Wolf	6.43 lengths

The track was rated as Good 4.

There were no scratchings.