3 minute read

We head to Ascot on New Year’s Day for the running of the Group 2 Perth Cup.

The market shows how open the feature event is, with plenty of chances stretched across the handicap. The Summer Scorcher and La Trice Classic play supporting roles, but also have plenty of substance in their own right. 

Don't miss a moment of the Perth Cup Day action, with coverage live and free on 7Plus and Racing WA. 

Race 1: MAGIC MILLIONS PLATE (1000m)

SUPERNATURAL (5) ran over the top to win first-up down the Pinjarra straight, winning comfortably by 0.8L. The form out of that race has been superb and CJP remains in the saddle from a good draw. Looks a filly on the way up and she can continue her winning ways. SHMOOV MOOVA (4) sat back and rounded up his rivals with ease as a $1.50 favourite first-up at this track and trip. Chris Parnham rides now and no doubt he'll have come on from that run. Appears the main danger with plenty of upside. GOLD FLAKES (1) bumped into a smart one here 11 days ago over 1200m and now drops back to the short course. The form out of her last start has already been franked and she's right in the mix if she can hold her form. CLEANEMUP (3) resumes without a trial but possesses plenty of early speed and will be prominent for a long way. PROMISING (6) can repeat the dose of her sharp last start win down the Pinjarra straight.

Race 2: SCHWEPPES HANDICAP (1600m)

ANTIQUE QUEEN (8) resumed in top order with a good win at Albany when running over the top to score. She'll be better for that effort and while this is harder, she's expected to have come on from the fresh run. Has plenty of talent and should take plenty of beating. MADAME MAGIC (1) had been around the mark before a disappointing run last start over 1400m here. That form has worked out well and she steps out to the mile for the first time today. The booking of Lane is a big push for her chances and she can bounce back to form. STARATING (3) ran over the top to score in a CL3 at Bunbury last time out and maps to be a little closer this time around. Fitter now and can make her presence felt. MY JIMMY (2) has been a little disappointing this time in but now third-up and up to the mile. Hoping to see sharp improvement from him. LIEN HYPHEN (7) is better than he showed last time out and can bounce back dropping in trip.

Race 3: ASCEND TROPHIES HANDICAP (1200m)

HOSTILE TALK (7) got a long way back first-up but did close off nicely to be 3.4L off the winner at the finish. He maps for a much better run in transit this time around and he still has plenty of upside. Ticks a few boxes and can return to winning ways. KRAKEN TIME (5) comes through the same race where he absolutely savaged the line after nothing went right for him in the run. He should sit much closer this time and if he has more luck in running, he'll be very hard to hold out. BRAZEN BID (10) has trialled well coming into this with Brad Parnham in the saddle on both occasions. He led in his most recent trial and suspect they may adopt those tactics from an inside draw today. Can play a major role. DONT WAIT FOR LUCK (4) turned in a nice trial in preparation for this and can make his presence felt. SHOOTING SPIRIT (8) gets Chris Parnham in the saddle now and is sure to be running home strongly.

Race 4: SWAN DRAUGHT - SUMMER SCORCHER (1000m)

The first of the features now. NORICH (6) made it three in-a-row last time out with another blistering performance from the front. He drops back to 1000m now which may be a little niggle, but he rates highly on his recent efforts and if he brings that form to this race, he'll be very hard to catch. BOPPING BLUE (4) bolted in over this track and trip when leading 18 days ago, winning by 2.8L. Chris Parnham and barrier one are two big ticks and he looks perfectly placed to win a race like this. GEMMA'S SON (1) was rather plain in the Crawford fresh but he did win the Bluff Knoll when first-up the campaign prior. Has the class on his day and just needs to put it all together. CRIPPALENKO (5) boasts a good record at this track and trip and has claims with a big drop in weight. SUNLIT FRESCO (8) has plenty of upside and can sneak into the finish.

Race 5: TABtouch-PERTH CUP (2400m)

Time for the Perth Cup where YOUNG WERTHER (2) goes on top. He's a class runner, contesting many big G1's and he turned in a nice pipe opener at the Caulfield Heath coming in. Ticks plenty of boxes and finds the perfect race for him. DIAMOND SCENE (6) was far too good in the A.T.A and it's hard to see anything out of that race turning the tables on him. He profiles many Perth Cup contenders in the past and he can go on with the job. IN GOOD ORDER (12) is in a similar boat being a 4YO in the Cup like many we've seen before. He's in top order and drops to the minimum weight today with Parnham hopping back in the saddle. Can stay or sprint and looks a genuine contender. DEMOLISH (9) placed in this last year and has been targeted at this for 12 months. Hitting form at the right time and he's worth including. SENTIMENTAL HERO (15) just missed in the A.T.A. but he's racing in top order. Keep him on side.

Race 6: MRS MACS - LA TRICE CLASSIC (1800m)​​​​​​​

Tricky race this with the main lead up being farcically run. Suspect that didn't suit ANTIQUE MISS (5) who was only warming up through the line. She maps to be a bit closer this time around with Parnham back in the saddle and she can turn the tables on her rivals. BONJOY (3) sprinted quickly to gun down the leader on the post last time out in a strong effort. Now drawn out again, where she gets to in the run is a little issue with the speed lacking on paper. Trust CJP to get it right though at her first try over 1800m and she'll be right in the finish again. MISS SKYHIGH (6) proved she belongs in this grade last start when hitting the line locked together with Bonjoy and Own The Queen. Won't find the rise in trip an issue and won't be far away. OWN THE QUEEN (1) is an interesting runner lining up and she'll appreciate the longer trip. Can be in this for a long way. AMBER GLIDE (4) is next best.

Race 7: MUMM CHAMPAGNE HANDICAP (1000m)

CELESTIAL STORM (9) stared a good one in the face last start and couldn't stick her nose in front, beaten 0.9L when tiring late in the race. Fitter now and maps for a great run in transit. Looks destined to go one better this time. FINAL SIREN (1) pulled up with an issue last start when favourite over this track and trip. He's better than he showed fresh and he gets the tongue tie on now. Maps for a cosy run and can bounce back. UNDER INFLUENCE (6) hit the line nicely in his recent trial and maps for a lovely run first-up. He hasn't won fresh, but likes the 1000m journey and the stable have booked Schofield in a big push for his chances. Can make his presence felt. LEXINGTON CITY (3) will be fitter for two trials coming in and gets Lane doing the steering. Can feature. ALL PLAY (7) can go on with the job after a nice victory last time out.

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