Perth Cup

Winners and Past Results

The Perth Cup is a Group 2 event considered to be Western Australia 's premier racing event hosted by Perth Racing. It was held usually on New Years Eve, but in 2012 it has been pushed forward to New Year's Day. Free $200 Bet

This staying race is set a distance of 2400 metres and run under handicap conditions. Offering $400,000 as prize money, the Perth Cup is held at the well known Ascot Racecourse on what used to be the last big pay day of the year until 2012. With a usual crowd of over 35,000 in attendance, the Perth Cup is considered to be one of the most difficult races of the year. The Ascot Racecourse is famous for its long 400 meter straight, which rises on an uphill slope. This requires a much stronger horse to run full steam up the home straight.

The Perth Cup was established in 1887, with an initial distance of 2 miles, which was increased to 2 miles 11 yards in 1947. This distance remained until 1962 after which it reverted back to its original distance of 2 miles. In 1972, the distance was changed to 3200 meters, and it was drastically cut to 2400 meter in 2009 in order to attract a higher quality field.

The uphill nature of the track has its advantages for the local horses trained here, with the occasional well performing Eastern horses also competing. With a usual field of twenty quality gallopers, mainly looking to improve their form and grab the first major event of the year, the Perth Cup usually finds horses coming in from many prestigious races. The most important lead up race is the 2100 M Group 2 CB Cox Stakes, which is held a fortnight before at the same racecourse, as part of the same summer carnival. Lord Ransom in 2009, Cats Fun in 2008, Palatious in 1994, Mirror Magic in 1992 and Saratov in 1989, all won the CB Cox Stakes and Perth Cup Double.

Some of the other races to look for are the 1800 M Group 1 Kingston Town Classic, at the beginning of the month, and the Group 1 Railway Stakes over 1600 metres, held in mid November. Both races are held at the same venue. Some horses have come into this race from the ATA Handicap and the WA St. Leger, held a week earlier at the same course. Horses that have had a strong performance here usually have an eye on the 2400 M Group 1 Western Australian Derby.

Highly regarded mare Western Jewel was done no favours with a wide barrier draw, but she settled well enough near the back of the field and looked comfortable in the early to middle stages of the race. Coming to the turn, Western Jewel was still well back but had plenty in reserve, which was proven when she was given free rein at the top of the straight. She showed good speed and stamina to hit the lead in the last 100 metres, doing it comfortably in the end to win by two lengths over God Has Spoken with Senhor Da Gama in third.

2012 Perth Cup result

1. Western Jewel
2. God Has Spoken
3. Senhor Da Gama

Then came:

4. Tranquility
5. Veracious
6. Saint Encosta
7. Moonlight Bay
8. Battle Emblem
9. Big Ted
10. Miss Tipsy Topsy
11. Manila I Scream
12. Kincaple
13. Ringmeister
14. Double Barrel
15. Lopov
16. New Spice