THE Group 1 SKY Racing Perth Cup Carnival started as expected with the odds on Victorian chaser TIGGERLONG TONK leading throughout for trainer Corey Grenfell. The black dog defeated Pixie Monelli by 2 3/4 lengths in 29.62 after being run down the previous week at his first look at the track. Grenfell won the Perth Cup in 2019 with Orson Allen.

The second heat saw the pre post favourite for the series Shima Shine finish unplaced after messing up the start. The heat was won by RAPIDO LASS who was having just her 7th career start and her first start since late October. It was a masterful training performance by Paul Stuart to have her at the condition required to win by 1 1/4 lengths over Le Jury Monelli in 29.85.

CANYA CRUISE led throughout in the third heat clocking a PB 29.56 after going 5.37, one of the quickest first sectionals recorded at Cannington, and defeating Rippin’ Memphis by 2 1/2 lengths for trainer Krystal Shinners. The blue fawn dog set a new track record at Mandurah in the final of the Good Friday Cup the previous week, clocking 22.03 over the 405 metres.

STAR BOOK qualified for the Group 1 Perth Cup final coming from behind the leader Rippin’ Purton to score by a half length in 29.75. The Jamie Marsh trained bitch began well and moved up the track soon after the start and the race favourite Stout Monelli was checked before the first corner. The black bitch has won 21 of 43 career starts going into her biggest race of her career this Saturday.

SIR MONTY gave trainer Chris Halse a finalist after leading and holding off Projectory, winning by 1 3/4 lengths in 29.73. The white and black dogs mother Star Recall was a Group 1 winner.

WISE THUNDER proved too strong for his rivals when he raced past the leader Mermaid Monelli going off the back straight before winning his heat. The Michael Hine trained dog had only won once from 9 previous starts at Cannington, however he defeated All Zipped Up by 3 1/4 lengths in 29.94. His mother Cosmic Wise made it through to a Group 1 Melbourne Cup during her racing career at Sandown.

WITHERS MONELLI took out the final heat of the Perth Cup when he crossed from box 8 and led throughout defeating Fernando Star by 1 3/4 lengths in 29.77. The David Hobby trained dog is a litter brother of Tommy Shelby who earlier in the night won the Group 1 Golden Easter Egg final for trainer Steve Withers of who Withers Monelli was named after.

The Group 1 Sky Racing Galaxy heats saw trainer Krystal Shinners qualify a finalist in both Group 1 features next week with JAYVILLE SLICK leading throughout from box 1 and clocking a PB 41.68. He defeated Barefoot Tycoon by 7 1/2 lengths after he was slowly away.

ZACK MONELLI demolished his rivals in the second heat of the Galaxy driving away for a 14 3/4 length win over Jett’s Cracker in a PB 41.39. The David Hobby star is undefeated in 5 starts over the distance and started a $1.10 favourite in his heat. Hobby won his first Group 1 with Trouper Monelli winning the Perth Cup in 2018, however he has never won a Galaxy final.

SUNSET BOURBSKI raced into next weeks final coming from last out to score a 4 3/4 length win over We The People in 41.65. Trainer Andrea Dailly now hopes that her wonderful bitch will be able to topple Zack Monelli after finishing within 3/4 length of him the previous week at her first look at the track.

The final heat went the way of LASHES MONELLI, a kennel mate of Zack Monelli. The black bitch was still a Maiden after 19 starts before winning her Maiden and then a heat of the Group 1 Sky Racing Galaxy at her next two starts. The David Hobby trained bitch defeated SA challenger Mister Harlewood by 2 lengths in 42.46.

The box draws for both Group 1 finals will take place next Monday just after 12.45pm in Box 1 Restaurant at Cannington.

Perth Cup Field (Not in Box Draw order)
Tiggerlong Tonk
Rapido Lass
Canya Cruise
Star Book
Sir Monty
Wise Thunder
Withers Monelli
Rippin’ Memphis

Res 1 Rippin’ Purton
Res 2 Pixie Monelli

Galaxy Field (Not in Box Draw order)
Jayville Slick
Barefoot Tycoon
Zack Monelli
Jett’s Cracker
Sunset Bourbski
We The People
Lashes Monelli
Mister Harlewood

Res 1 Cindy’s Oliver
Res 2 Lee Ali

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