Premier’s Cup – 2021

Track: Heavy    Weather: Clear

Following the early scratchings of Laure Me In and Salsamor, 12 runners remain for the $160,000 Premier’s Cup. Three of them had had their last start in the Premiers Cup Prelude run at this track two weeks ago and three will be running first-up from a spell. There are 2 four-year-olds, 7 five-year-olds, 2 six-year-olds and a seven-year-old. There are 10 geldings and two stallions with no fillies or mares this year. Chris Waller has five runners.

The early favourite is five-year-old  Heart Of Puissance who is first-up from a 14 week break and won a Cranbourne trial on heavy going. Second favourite is Dashing Willoughby who is having his first start for Chris Waller and hasn’t raced since the 2020 Melbourne Cup. Third favourite is Harpo Marx who won his latest start over 2400m at Randwick on 7 August.

Topweight Spirit Ridge is back from an 11 week let-up and has won both lead-up trials.  Mubariz finished 0.9 length 3rd in the Premier’s Cup Prelude with the best last 800-200m race sectional of the day at the distance. No Compromise has won three of his last four starts and goes well on rain-affected ground. Luncies has won five of his nine starts and is unbeaten second-up, while Quick Thinker has excellent form on heavy going.  All other runners are currently 16 to 1 or longer.

1. Spirit Ridge

One of two runners sired by Nathaniel (the other is Dashing Willoughby) this six-year-old gelding has six wins and six places from 19 starts. He was a narrow winner of the Group 3 Premier’s Cup over 2400m at Eagle Farm on 29 May, then didn’t run on when 9.4 lengths 7th of 14 in the Group 2 Q22 over 2200m at Eagle Farm on 12 June. He hasn’t raced for 11 weeks but has won two lead-up trials and should go well.

2. Dashing Willoughby

This five-year-old is having his first start for Chris Waller and hasn’t raced since the 2020 Melbourne Cup. He has trialled well but will be looking for further.

3. Quick Thinker

This So You Think stallion has excellent form on heavy going. He resumed from an 11 week let-up to run 20 lengths last in the Rowley Mile at Hawkesbury last start. Needs to improve.

4. Young Rascal

Finished 5 lengths 5th in the Premier’s Cup Prelude at this track and distance two weeks ago. Hasn’t won for a long time and prefer to watch him go around.

5. Inverloch

This seven-year-old is the oldest runner in the race this year. Won the Listed Wagga Cup over this distance in May and chased hard for 0.6 lengths 4th over 1600m at Caulfield at his latest start. Not the worst.

6. Laure Me In  – SCRATCHED

7. Salsamor  – SCRATCHED

8. Luncies

Kris Lees trains this four-year-old grey gelding who has won five of his nine starts and is unbeaten second-up. Don’t dismiss him.

9. Mubariz

Another of the Waller team, he has two wins and three places from his five starts this campaign. Kep t chasing for 0.9 length 3rd in the Premier’s Cup Prelude with the best last 800m-200m race sectional of the day at distance. One of the main chances.

10. No Compromise

This five-year-old Pins gelding from the Waller stable is another runner with great form this campaign having three wins and four places from his last seven runs. Has won three of his last four starts and goes well on rain-affected ground. Will run well.

11. Mohican Heights

Finished 10th over 1400m at Kembla Grange when resuming and usually takes a run or two to get going.

12. Harpo Marx

Won his latest start over 2400m at Randwick on 7 August. Has won two of his last three starts and should fight out the finish

13. Heart Of Puissance

This five-year-old Puissance de Lune stallion trained by Ciaron Maher & David Eustace has four wins and four places from 12 starts. He is first-up from a 14 week break and won a Cranbourne trial on heavy going. One of the main chances.

14. Criminal Code

Ran 0.5 length 2nd in the Premier’s Cup Prelude last outing. That was a nice run and he could run a place.

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

Jo’s Tips
12 Harpo Marx
9 Mubariz
13 Heart Of Puissance
1 Spirit Ridge

Group 1 Memsie Stakes 2021 (Caulfield 1400m)

Group 3 The Heath 1100 2021 (Caulfield 1100m)

Group 3 HDF McNeil Stakes 2021 (Caulfield 1200m)

Group 3 W W Cockram Stakes 2021 (Caulfield 1200m)

Group 3 Ming Dynasty Quality 2021 (Kembla Grange 1400m)

Group 3 San Domenico Stakes 2021 (Kembla Grange 1100m)

Listed Leon Macdonald Stakes 2021 (Morphettville Parks 1400m)

Listed Idyllic Prince Stakes 2021 (Belmont 1300m)