Premier’s Cup – 2022

Track: Soft 5 – Good 4 Weather: Sunny.

Fourteen runners have accepted for the $200,000 Group 3 Premier’s Cup and there have been no early scratchings. The Chris Waller stable has seven entries for the event, the Ciaron Maher/David Eustace stable has two entries whilst the rest of the trainers have just one entry each.

Lord Ardmore is the early favourite at $3.20 and he is looking for three wins in a row. He got over the line late last start, winning by just over half a length, and now has to step up an extra 200m and replicate his run.

Francesco Guardi and Grove Ferry have both run second this preparation to the favourite and are joint second favourites at $7.00. Francesco Guardi was a bold second two starts ago before having to settle third last start behind Lord Ardmore and Grove Ferry. Grove Ferry will be looking to go one better against Lord Ardmore here and gets a nice 1kg swing to help his cause.

1. Le Don De Vie (1)

Smashed his opposition in the Caloundra Cup before having a 49-day freshen-up. Back to 2000m carrying 60kg is a query. Take on trust.

2. Arapaho (14)

Won the Grafton Cup two starts back before being quite plain last start. Drawn wide here and will need luck.

3. Lord Ardmore (5)

Going for three wins in a row. Steps up to 2000m where he is yet to win but gets his best chance to do so here. Drawn ideally once again to sit behind the speed and will get his chance to win again.

4. Carif (13)

Likely to need the run here as he looks for further.

5. Skyman (2)

Returning after 63 days. Entered for Hawkesbury on Thursday as well. Should have residual fitness and has trialled twice in return. Tough to win this off a break.

6. Raging Bull (7)

On the quick backup following his win at Rosehill last weekend. This is much tougher but he should run another bold race based on his last start effort.

7. Toomuchtobear (10)

Ran second in the Winter Challenge last start at Rosehill but was no match for Cross Talk. Has run and won twice over 2000m but he has drawn poorly here. Should run another bold race.

8. Francesco Guardi (12)

Has been very good this preparation and has placed his past two behind Lord Ardmore, who he meets 1.5kg better off for a 1.6 length defeat. The draw doesn’t help and probably hinders his chances of winning. Place at best.

9. Grove Ferry (4)

He is ready for this trip now following a fighting finish behind Lord Ardmore last start, and he gets a 1kg swing in his favour for a 0.6 of a length defeat. Drawn ideally to get a dream run and with Tim Clark sticking, I reckon he will run another big race.

10. Chalk Stream (11)

Returning after 133 days. I couldn’t have him here first-up but I expect him to be hitting the line whilst looking for further.

11. La Chevalee (9)

Was good behind Lord Ardmore last start but concedes 1kg to him and the map/speed doesn’t look to suit.

12. Durston (8)

Was only fair in the Winter Challenge, and he is also entered for Hawkesbury on Thursday. 2000m suits and he is a light weight chance should they run here.

13. Yiyi (3)

Snagged back to last in his previous run before making a slashing run from there to finish 3.25 lengths back in fifth. A much kinder draw here and up to 2000m suits. Place chance.

14. She’s A Maneater (6)

2000m suits but I have a fair few in front of her.

The following are the top 4 selections for this year’s race.

Josh’s Tips	Jo’s Tips
9 Grove Ferry	3 Lord Ardmore
3 Lord Ardmore	13 Yiyi
13 Yiyi	5 Skyman
8 Francesco Guardi	8 Francesco Guardi