2016 Perth Cup heats – the main contenders & the top bookie odds
THE Group racing spotlight will shine on Western Australia on Saturday night with eight heats of the Group 1 Perth Cup (520m).
It is the first running of WA's most prestigious event on the newly opened Cannington circuit, with a stack of interstate contenders heading over for a crack at the title and the $140,000 winner's purse.
Temlee champion Dalgetty is the $2.75 early favourite in Bet365's all-in market to take out the feature final on April 21, with the Jason Thompson-trained dog set to start the night with a bang after drawing box one in heat one.
Also right in contention with the bookies is local chaser Fun Boss at $8.50. The son of Kinloch Brae and Alotta Fun is an absolute rocket out of the boxes and will be hard to go past if he lands on the bunny, with the 30.6 kilogram speedster coming into the series as a winner of five of his past seven starts.
Sandown Park track record holder Unlawful Entry is rated a $13 shot to take out the final, with Brett Bravo's powerhouse having to contend with box six in his qualifier, while Marley Bale and Above All also share the $13 quote but have drawn more favourably in boxes three and one in their respective heats.
Lets take a look at each heat, with the best bookmaker prices available to help you land some value throughout the night.
Perth Cup – heat one – 9:07pm
Dalgetty ($1.38 with William Hill) steps out from box one in the first of the eight Perth Cup heats and looks the one to beat. Trained by Jason Thompson, the son of Stagger and Rockin' Along has won his past two starts including a blistering 29.09 at Sandown Park on March 24. He has a good record from the inside and will be looking to hold his spot on the fence and charge to the lead in the run to the first turn. Makes his debut in a race at Cannington, but with over two weeks since his last run it is likely he has seen the track at least once.
Marley Bale ($7.50 with Sportsbet) was far from disgraced when placing third at his debut at Cannington last Sunday, finishing four and one quarter lengths off the winner which clocked 30.38. Expect a big improvement this week and he is capable of toppling the favourite if he does everything right.
Senator Monelli ($10 with Bet365) is a fairly inexperienced chaser, with eight wins from just 12 career starts. She is also having her first start over the track and trip, however she is prepared locally so would have been around here in a trial.
Miracle ($34 with Crownbet) has a fair bit of pace and could be up near the lead early, but this is a big rise in class and it is hard to see her toppling the Victorians.
Bearville Azza ($12 with Sportsbet) is a class act when on song. Never looked comfortable when finishing last here over the weekend, but can improve after a look at the joint.
Perth Cup – heat two – 9:28pm
Moreira ($4 with Crownbet) comes into the heats straight off his win in the Group 1 Golden Easter Egg at Wentworth Park and is the class runner of the race. Can be a little slow to get into stride, so box five may be a problem, however he is the deserved favourite in what is a nice race.
Settle Bello ($8 with Crownbet) is normally very quick early and he should get every chance to lead this race, however this is his first race start at Cannington so it is hard to predict what he is going to do.
Blazin' Bomber ($4 with Crownbet) has been dominant since returning from a spell and he should get a lovely run into the race on the direct outside of a speedy beginner. Lacks genuine pace himself but there is very little speed on his outside so he is more than capable of barging through and running a cheeky race.
Fantastic Roxy ($5.50 with Bet365) is racing in good form at present with a 29.86 win at The Meadows at her most recent outing. Can be slow into stride but should get room to move early and can work her way into a prominent spot.
Perth Cup – heat three – 9:50pm
SA star Real Flash ($5 with Crownbet) is beautifully placed on the fence, having won two of her three starts wearing red. Is first up from a lengthy spell in the heat, but has obviously shown enough to convince Troy Murray she is ready for a series such as this.
Shared Equity ($4.20 with Sportsbet) is proven at group level and she appears nicely drawn in box two. Will be aiming to jump on the bunny and lead all the way, just like she did at Wentworth Park four starts back when posting a brilliant 29.73.
Dawkins Bale ($4.20 with William Hill) is another Victoria which has made the trip across Australia for a crack at the Cup, with the son of Turanza Bale and Bala Bale drawn well in the eight. Hasn't been seen since finishing sixth in the Golden Easter Egg final, with the main question mark being whether he will handle the track first up.
Krugerrand ($3.50 with Crownbet) has a bizarre name but luckily that doesn't hold him back on the track. The son of Collision and Goldie Bale has a dazzling 29.83 over the track and trip and just needs a bit of luck early to be able to feature from box six.
Perth Cup – heat four – 10:12pm
Fun Boss ($1.70 with Crownbet) is a brilliant beginner drawn beautifully in box one. Yet to have a race start at the track, but he is prepared locally so would have been around in a few trials. Has an imposing record of 23 wins and 16 minor placings from 49 career starts, with this race looking very winnable for him.
Dana Ermines ($4.80 with William Hill) is a promising sprinter and won here at his track debut last week. Time was only fair but he should improve off that run and should go close.
Party Hotshot ($15 with Sportsbet) has failed to do much at his past few runs but has a massive motor and is capable of running on into a place.
Aluminium ($9 with Sportsbet) has good Northam form but has failed to bring his best to Cannington. Has had a few looks here now and gets another chance to show something from a suitable inside draw.
Perth Cup – heat six – 11:27pm
Above All ($2.30 with William Hill) is a dual group 1 winner and, although he is getting on in age, he should go close to winning this heat. Never tends to have much luck with boxes, but comes up with the one here where he has finished in the money in five of his six starts. Has been unlucky at his past few starts against top company, but gets every chance in his qualifier from the inside.
Yunderup Dozer ($8.50 with Bet365) is a last start winner over the track and trip where she defeated classy Victorian Shared Equity. Will need to get away well from box eight but is capable of leading and pinching this race if he can land on the bunny early.
Snakebite Bale ($6 with Sportsbet) is a machine but is a slow beginner and poorly drawn in box five. Needed the look at the track here last week and is capable of improving off his third behind Dyna Irminus.
Crashing Packs ($7 with Crownbet) is ultra consistent and has been racing well lately without winning, with the same able to be said about Astonomize for Paul Stuart. Both greyhounds have been racing brilliantly around Mandurah and are capable of running well given a clean start.
Perth Cup – heat seven – 12:22am
Science ($6.50 with Sportsbet) has done a lot of his racing at Northam but brought that form to town with a strong 30.26 win at Cannington last start. Normally a quick beginner and is yet to miss a place from box three – might be able to find his way at the front early and will be hard to catch.
Cobra Clutch ($3.50 with Crownbet) has scored four consecutive wins and is the deserved favourite, having posted a fast 30.01 here three runs back. Normally begins well, but can't afford to do anything wrong early in this race from box six.
Channing ($4.25 with Crownbet) is a class animal in the making and he resumed from a spell with a 30.28 win here last month before finishing down the track at his next appearance. Box eight is a small concern but is more than capable of stealing the prize here.
Katsuro Sahara ($6 with Sportsbet) has placed at his last couple here, needs luck from the draw but can figure in the finish for exotic players.
Perth Cup – heat eight – 12:37am
Ramifications ($2.75 with Crownbet) looks the early leader despite drawing box four and she will be hard to get past out in front. Trained by Chris Halse, the daughter of Barcia Bale and Disco Girl has a sizzling 29.91 personal best over the track and trip and she only needs to repeat that performance to go close to winning.
Folio Bale ($4 with Sportsbet) went 29.66 at The Meadows two runs back and if she comes out well and handles the track she will blow them away. Concern is she is drawn directly inside the speed and is yet to score from nine attempts wearing white.
Soda Man (4.80 with William Hill) is risky early but is racing in good form. Drawn box five here which is a disadvantage, but his recent runs in Victoria have been too good to ignore and if he can step with them he should get a run into the race on the outside of Ramifications.
Winsome Jacko ($6.50 with Sportsbet) has been racing well over the middle distance trips so he should bring a lot of confidence into this race. Will be giving them a head start but box two helps his chances.