Perth Cup – 2021

Track: Good   Weather: Fine

There is a full field of 16 runners for the $400,000 Perth Cup. Five of them had their last start in the Group 2 Ted Van Heemst Stakes over 2100m at Ascot on 19 December, five in the Listed A.T.A. Stakes over 2200m at Ascot on 26 December, and two in the Listed G.A. Towton Cup over 2200m at Ascot on 12 December. There are two four-year-olds, five five-year-olds, four six-year-old, three seven-year-olds, one eight-year-old and one nine-year-old. There are five mares running.

The early favourite is Truly Great who has won five of his six starts this campaign, including the Group 1 Kingston Town Stakes and the Group 2 Ted Van Heemst Stakes. Second favourite is Neufbosc who had a strong win in the A.T.A. Stakes following 2nd in the GA Towton Cup. Third favourite is Midnight Blue who has had two wins and three places from six starts this campaign.

Princess Jenni was 2nd over 2600m at Flemington on 19 December and won the Group 3 Bendigo Cup over 2400m two starts before that on 28 October. Trap For Fools came 2nd in the Ted Van Heemst Stakes after a 3.1 length win in the G.A. Towton Cup and has eight wins at this track. Platoon was 3rd in the Ted Van Heemst Stakes, while Adornment has won her last two starts both over 2200m at Ascot in December. The other two runners are currently 50 to 1 or longer, including Taxagano who ran 3rd in this race last year.

1. Truly Great

This five-year-old Dundeel gelding has won 5 of his six starts this campaign including the Group 3 RJ Peters Stakes by 1.42 lengths, the Group 1 Kingston Town Classic by 1.89 lengths and the Group 1 Ted Van Heemst Stakes by 1.75 lengths. He goes up 1kg in weight, and partnered with William Pike it is hard to see anything beating him. Should win.

2. Trap For Fools

Last start he tired late to finish 1.75 lengths behind Truly Great in the Ted Van Heemst Stakes. He has 14 wins from 17 starts and eight wins have been at this track. He has drawn wide but is quite capable of placing.

3. Princess Jenni

Won the Bendigo Cup over this distance on 28 October, and was a close 2nd over 2600m at Flemington last start. One for the multiples..

4. Neufbosc

He won the ATA Stakes over 2200m by 1.75 lengths last Saturday. He was good enough to get into the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe and the Melbourne Cup so has to be taken as a serious threat.

5. Platoon

Drops 5kg from his last-start 3rd in the Ted Van Heemst Stakes. Not the roughest.

6. Adornment

Has won her last two starts both over 2200m at Ascot in December.

7. Cambist

She has drawn wide and will find this much tougher than any race she has contested before.

8. Dark Musket

At nine-years-old he is the oldest horse in the race and has not ran better than 5th in all nine starts this preparation. Looking elsewhere.

9. Double Digit

He has 12 wins from 60 starts but has drawn wide and will find this too tough.

10. Freez’emoff

She has struggled in all 3 races this campaign and has not won in four starts at this track.

11. He’s a Parker

At his last two starts at this track he has finished last and next to last. Enough said.

12. Juicing Carrots

This eight-year-old is in great form with a win and four places from his last five starts. Could run a place.

13. Midnight Blue

He has had two wins and three places from six starts this campaign.

14. Paddy’s Shadow

She is lightly-weighted and worth putting in the exotics.

15. Taxagano

Came 3rd in this race last year and ran 2.88 lengths 4th in the ATA Stakes last week.

16. Utgard Loki

Has placed in Listed races at his last two starts and could surprise.

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

Jo’s Tips
1 Truly Great
2 Trap For Fools
4 Neufbosc
3 Princess Jenni

Group 3 Standish Handicap 2021 (Flemington 1200m)

Listed Bagot Handicap 2021 (Flemington 2800m)

Listed Christmas Classic 2021 (Canterbury 1200m)

Group 3 Vo Rogue Plate 2021 (Eagle Farm 1400m)