Perth Cup – 2023

Track: Good   Weather: Fine

There are 17 horse remaining to run in the field of 16 for the $500,000 Perth Cup. There are 16 geldings and one mare including one 4YO, five 5YOs, three 6YOs, three 7YOs, four 8YOs and a 9YO. Trainer Adam Durrant has 4 runners, Neville Parnham has 3 while Daniel Morton has 2.

Four of them had their last start in the Group 2 Ted Van Heemst Stakes over 2100m at Ascot on 17 December, seven in the Listed A.T.A. Stakes over 2200m at Ascot on 24 December, two in the Listed G.A. Towton Cup over 2200m at Ascot on 10 December, one in the Westspeed Platinum Cup over 2100m on 17 December and three in a Rating 66+ Handicap over 2200m on 1 January.

The early favourite is Alaskan God who was 4th in the Towton Cup last outing. Second favourite is Truly Inspired who had a narrow win in the A.T.A. Stakes last start. Third favourite is Buster Bash who won the Towton Cup by over 3 lengths

Neufbosc was 0.4 length 3rd in the A.T.A. Stakes after 3rd in the  Towton Cup. Mystery Island won over 2200m on New Year’s Day. Dom To Shoot finished 4th in the Ted Van Heemst while Pure Devotion was 6th in the A.T.A. Stakes. The other runners are currently 20 to 1 or longer, including Platoon who ran 3rd in this race last year.

1. Trap For Fools (7)

Trainer: Grant & Alana Williams
Jockey: Brad Rawiller
At nine-years-old he is the oldest horse in the race this year. He finished 5th in this race last year, 4th in 2021 and 6th in 2018. He has been a wonderful horse for connections and has earned $2.3 million in prizemoney. Both starts this campaign have been below par and it may be that his best years are now behind him.

2. Buster Bash (5)

Trainer: David Harrison
Jockey: Shaun McGruddy
This 5YO won the Towton Cup by over 3 lengths at his first race over 2200m and has won 5 of his 9 starts this campaign. It’s his first try at 2400m but he’s going so well and won so convincingly last start that he is one of the main dangers.

3. Alaskan God (13)

Trainer: Daniel Morton
Jockey: Patrick Moloney
One of 2 runners for trainer Daniel Morton and the early favourite in this race. He was phenomenal as a 3YO and won the WATC Derby over 2400m as his 5th consecutive win. He has had 4 runs since resuming where his best effort was 4th in the Towton Cup last outing. Prefer others.

4. Bad Wolf (16)

Trainer: Ashley Maley
Jockey: Natasha Faithfull
Finished 9th in this race last year. Has never won beyond 1600m so looking to others.

5. Chili Is Hot (14)  – deceased

6. Cockney Crew (6)

Trainer: Lou Luciani
Jockey: Troy Turner
Ran 6th in this race last year. Ran 2nd in the Towton Cup before fading to finish 2.9 lengths 9th in the A.T.A. Stakes. Not the worst.

7. Come Right Back (20)

Trainer: Adam Durrant
Jockey: Patrick Carbery

One of 4 runners for trainer Adam Durrant, Finished 10th in this race last year. Put in a solid performance from the outside barrier to run 1.2 lengths 4th in the A.T.A. Stakes last start. Unfortunately has drawn the outside barrier again in this capacity field

8. Dom To Shoot (12)

Trainer: Sean & Jake Casey
Jockey:
Finished 4th in the Ted Van Heemst last start. Has never won beyond 1600m and prefer others.

9. Holy Enchantment (9)

Trainer: Stephen Miller
Jockey: Steven Parnham
Drops 6.5 kg from his last run where he was 3rd over 2100m at Ascot on 17 December. Wouldn’t surprise to see him run well here.

10. Neufbosc (15)

Trainer: Neville Parnham
Jockey: Brad Parnham
One of 2 runners for trainer Neville Parnham. Won this race in 2021 and finished 8th last year. He was 0.4 length 3rd in the A.T.A. Stakes after 3rd in the  Towton Cup and looks ready to peak here. Meets the two that beat him in the A.T.A. Stakes better at the weights. A major player.

11. Platoon (1)

Trainer: Neville Parnham
Jockey: Laqdar Ramoly
Came 3rd in this race last year and 5th in 2021. One of 2 runners for trainer Neville Parnham. He has the perfect barrier but has finished well back at all 4 runs this preparation. Looking elsewhere.

12. Pure Devotion (3)

Trainer: Adam Durrant
Jockey: Clint Johnston-Porter
This mare from the Durrant stable ran 4th in this race last year. She was luckless when 2 lengths 6th in the A.T.A. Stakes last outing and can be a contender here.

13. Queen Alina (10)  – SCRATCHED

14. Stafford’s Lad (2)

Trainer: Daniel Morton
Jockey: Chris Parnham
He ran 7th in this race last year. He was held up for most of the straight when 2.2 lengths 7th in the A.T.A. Stakes last outing and will definitely get the distance. Not the worst.

15. Truly Inspired (11)

Trainer: Adam Durrant
Jockey: Fred Kersley
A full brother to Truly Great who ran 2nd in this race in 2021. He had a narrow win in the A.T.A. Stakes last start where he came from last with a perfectly timed run. Meets the 2nd & 3rd placegetters (Utgard Loki & Neufbosc) worse at the weights but is a winning hope.

16. Utgard Loki (19)

Trainer: Adam Durrant
Jockey: Holly Watson
Finished 12th in this race in 2021. Was impressed with his run in the A.T.A. Stakes where he raced wide with no cover and lost a plate before finishing a close 2nd. One of the chances.

17e. Brother Paddy (18)  SCRATCHED

18e. Mystery Island (17)

Trainer: Donna Riordan
Jockey: Beau Mertens
Was a length winner over 2200m at Ascot on 1 January which was a nice lead-up for this. Wide barrier a concern.

19e. Coolth (4)

Trainer: Neville Parnham
Jockey:
Having his first run for Neville Parnham. Rough place chance.

20e. He’s A Parker (8)

Trainer: Summer Dickson
Jockey:
This 8YO has had 73 starts. He finished 11th in this race in 2021. Prefer others.

The following are the top 5 selections for this years race.

Jo Jackson’s Tips
15 Truly Inspired
2 Buster Bash
16 Utgard Loki
10 Neufbosc
18 Mystery Island