Brett Honey’s Perth Cup and Galaxy Heat Night Preview
Race 1 – Perth Cup Heat 1
A tricky Cup heat to kick us off with Giacomo (box 3) and Winsome Jet (box 4) being close to equal favourites. Both dogs are the class of the field and Giacomo has been in WA before, where he contested the WA Derby. Winsome Jet is the faster of the two but has missed the start in his last two starts at Richmond. I’m happy to stay out here.
No bet
Race 2 – Perth Cup Heat 2
It’s a big thrill to see the Melbourne Cup and Gold Bullion Champion Canya Mayhem in town and box 6 will be no issue for him. Mayhem is better with some room to move, and he’s been leading much stronger fields than this in the East. Expecting him to sail to the front and be too good. I marked him $1.60, anything above $1.80 will be enough to include him in a multi. Aston Rayner (box 3) and Hurry Up Eric (box 4) are the only other hopes for mine, but both can’t concede Canya Mayhem a start.
Bet: #6 Canya Mayhem
Race 3 – Perth Cup Heat 3
Miss Envy returns home following her gutsy triumph in the Group 1 Rookie Rebel, however the box draw is far from kind for our two-time WA Greyhound Of The Year. She steps back to 520 metres following a stint over the middle-distance and from box 5, I struggle to see her getting across which makes her a risk. Valenzuela (box 4) has been a consistent campaigner in Victoria’s open class ranks and he’s a chance to lead here and will take all sorts of stopping if that’s the case. I’ll lean towards him. Purely the draw is my knock on Miss Envy.
Bet: #4 Valenzuela
Race 4 – Galaxy Heat 1
We turn our attention to the stayers in race 4 for the first heat of the Group 1 Galaxy, and Texas President (box 2) will take all sorts of stopping here. He led for a long way in the Group 1 Fanta Bale at the Meadows last Saturday and only Miss Ronnie Mac in box 3 can lead him early. The market has Jay Walking (box 7) as the danger to Texas President, however his last start in the Gold Cup final at Q2 was poor and his trial last week was no better. You can forgive stayers 1 or 2 bad runs as they can easily turn it around, but this looks too good a set-up for Texas President. Multi leg #2.
Bet: #2 Texas President
Race 5 – Perth Cup Heat 4
I saw the first leg of the quaddie as a race in two between Iconic Jet (box 4) and Divot (box 6). I was happy to take on the inside 3 who are all in the market with Just A Piastri in box 3 cutting across and giving Iconic Jet some room. The Jet was strong last week holding off West On Sidney who had every chance and just needs to miss Biscotti Blast in 5 early. Divot in box 6 has a great map and whilst 520m is a query, he’s gone 29.86 here previously and has the early speed to lead. If Divot is $6.50+ on the night, I’ll be having a saver there.
Bet: #4 Iconic Jet save #6 Divot
Race 6 – Galaxy Heat 2
Back to the stayers for Race 6 and this will likely be a showdown between three dogs, Max Capacity (box 1), Urbanity (box 6) and Incredible Shine (box 8). I thought box 1 was a big aid for Incredible Shine last week after a tardy beginning and it may not be as straight forward from the outside draw. Max Capacity was good without being outstanding in his first up effort at Mandurah. He is a tough watch in fields but is an undeniable chance. Urbanity was a big drifter last week, however she sprouted wings late in a 601-metre event and I don’t think the draw matters here. She’ll flop to the rail, work her way into it and she’s the one to beat for mine.
Bet: #6 Urbanity
Race 7 – Perth Cup Heat 5
This race will be fun. Amron Toy (box 5) is a very fast dog but unless he has the rail, he can be conditional with his effort. He flopped out in his trial last week however expect him to improve early off that and the time was still very good. If he can cross Junk Yard Clyde in 2, he’s will be the one but there could be fun and games if he doesn’t. Aston Bugsy (box 6) is the least credentialled of the interstate raiders but gets a clear run here and could capitalise on any early trouble on the inside. I’m taking on Junk Yard Clyde in box 2, purely for the reason Amron Toy likely doesn’t leave him alone. It could set up for a greyhound like Linguine Monelli (box 3) but he’s too short to consider a bet.
Bet: #5 Amron Toy, save #6 Aston Bugsy
Race 8 – Galaxy Heat 4
I don’t like this race from a betting perspective. Iron Works (box 1) is one for the thrill seekers at $1.60 but is the hardest to beat. West On Boonie (box 2) was up to his old tricks last week when he reached the leaders and Tommy The Lion (box 3) peaked on his run early in the same race. Outside of those three, the race drops away quickly. If you’re desperate, you could play West On Boonie to run top 2 but I’ll be staying out.
No bet
Race 9 – Perth Cup Heat 6
Into the final third of the card and the ever reliable Our Ozzie Salute looks well suited in box 7. I’m expecting Italian Stallion in box 6 to begin well first up and drag Our Ozzie Salute into the race. He looks the one. I’m taking on West On Sidney (box 5), he had every possible last week, and the map is significantly harder here. Cliton Luca (box 3) stepped last week and Tarawi in box 4 is another who could lead this field and can sneak away mid race. 520 is a major query, but I’ve seen worse $17 chances and may be worth an each way ticket.
Bet: #7 Our Ozzie Salute, small save #4 Tarawi
Race 10 – Galaxy Heat 4
The last of the Galaxy Heats and the Victorian Mepunga Lara will have to do something wrong to not get the chocolates here. She’s got the speed to settle forward and will run the 715 stronger than West On Model, who I think from the draw is the only possible danger and is better than what she showed last week. I marked Lara $1.55 and will be the final leg of my multi for the night.
Bet: #2 Mepunga Lara
Race 11 – Perth Cup Heat 7
Barefoot Zulu (box 4) has to be for taking on here, however the task is finding the one to beat him. Whilst his talent is unquestioned, his box manners can let him down and his map is horrid in this heat. Farmer Russel (box 5) is a top-class short courser who wants to cut left at box rise and Silent Assassin (box 2) can jump and shift towards the middle of the track as well. Looking for some value, I thought Paid My Dues (box 3) could run a race at an each-way price. He’ll look to get back, find the rail and finish strong and has some slick times to his name at Cannington. This race looked wide open.
Bet: #3 Paid My Dues (each way)
Race 12 – Perth Cup Heat 8
The lucky last on a cracking night of racing at Cannington is an all-local affair, and I’m tipping Pam Keeping (box 6) can upset the odds-on favourite Mailata (box 4). Pam Keeping is reliable early and there’s no reason she can’t cross this field. If that eventuates, you have to wonder where Mailata will be in running and it could be Pam who’s running away with the final ticket into the Cup. Mailata despite the questionable map is still the one to beat and outside of those two, I thought Strip Weathers (box 8), who can handle wide draws, was the only other chance.
Bet: #6 Pam Keeping